The new superintendent of SAD 21 used to head Dirigo High School.
By Terry Karkos
Staff Writer

DIXFIELD – An overwhelming desire to escape boredom in the early 1970s enabled Thomas J. Ward of Temple to pursue a career in education administration.

“I never ever wanted to be bored, and I got my wish,” said Ward.

On July 1, he achieved the pinnacle of his pursuit, becoming SAD 21’s new superintendent. Ward replaces retiring Superintendent David Pierce.

“I’ve worked very hard over the years preparing myself for it,” said Ward, who has a master’s degree in education administration and a doctorate in educational leadership. “I’m very pleased and excited to return to the SAD 21 family.”

Eighteen years ago, Ward, who graduated from Farmington’s Mount Blue High School in 1972, served as principal at SAD 21’s Dirigo High School in Dixfield from 1985 to 1987.

“When I was principal here at Dirigo, I really fell in love with the school and its community and school district, which was always a very close-knit community that’s always been very supportive of education.

“Eighteen years ago, this district was considered the jewel of school districts in western Maine. One of my goals is to help it remain a jewel and we can only do that with everyone working together as a SAD 21 family.

“It’s no secret that there have been issues with negotiations, but I see my job as bringing everyone with the same interests and goals together. That’s what’s in the best interests of the kids,” Ward said.

Ward, 49, has also taught health and and physical education at Mount Blue High School while serving as its assistant principal/athletic director, coaching football and wrestling.

That’s why he appreciates SAD 21’s new venture with SAD 39’s Buckfield High School to field a football team. Football has been missing from SAD 21 for several years.

“We had a football program here when I was the principal, but I think it’s exciting doing this joint venture with Buckfield and having the opportunity to bring football back to this community,” Ward said.

Over the past eight years, Ward has been SAD 35’s principal of Marshwood High School in South Berwick. His wife, Dr. Grace Ward, commutes to her job as superintendent of SAD 6’s Bonny Eagle District from their second home in Old Orchard Beach. They meet on weekends.

Making the transition from principal to superintendent has been “very good,” he added.

“The biggest difference is that now I have more time to think through my decisions. Before, I was making 200 quick decisions a day, so I will appreciate the time to work through issues,” Ward said.

In addition to having more time, he intends to mingle frequently with the student body and public.

“I hope the students will look forward to seeing me because I’m going to be a very visible superintendent at events and in the schools. One of my goals is to ensure that students know who their superintendent is. That doesn’t happen in a lot of districts because superintendents are tied to their desks. But in a small district like this, there is a lot more time to be visible,” Ward said.

He’s also looking forward to delving into important issues on the horizon. Issues like the No Child Left Behind law, the Maine Learning Results, a districtwide assessment plan, a data management plan with the state, school budgets, finding more time for staff development, the ongoing proposed merger between SAD 21 and Peru School, and resolving the aging Canton School problem.

“These are exciting times in education and they’re going to require a great deal of work by everyone. The challenges are more encompassing. You really have to have a strong vision of the big picture and how to pull all of this together and come into compliance with the issues, while at the same time, allow the teachers to teach,” Ward said.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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