RANGELEY – Principal Sue Foltz’s resignation was accepted by the School Union 37 board on July 29.

Foltz has served as Rangeley Lakes Regional School principal and dean of students for 14 years.

According to Superintendent Ken Coville, “I accepted the resignation last week, on behalf of the School Board, with our thanks for her years of service and her contributions to the school.”

Foltz’s resignation will be effective Sept. 16, unless an interim principal is named prior to the beginning of the new school year. According to Coville, the board can anticipate at least a 12- to 18-week period before a permanent replacement will begin.

The board will begin “an aggressive search for a suitable candidate” to fill the short-term interim position. The board voted not to hire an in-house interim principal, but will seek a candidate from outside the school. This decision was made because hiring an in-house candidate would result in a qualified teacher being taken out of the classroom and could prove detrimental to students.

The board voted to form a search committee, consisting of Coville, a board member, two faculty members and one parent or community member, to screen prospective candidates for the permanent position.

In addition, the public will be able to provide information and input into the establishment of school priorities and necessary character traits of the permanent principal position. The board will invite public comment on the selection process during a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School.