Robert E. Wall is the new superintendent.
By Donna M. Perry
Staff Writer

JAY – A Lewiston man was hired Thursday to oversee the Jay School Department. Robert E. Wall, a 34-year veteran educator, will start his new position as superintendent Friday at a base salary of $77,000, which will be prorated for the 2003-04 school year.

The Jay School Committee approved a three-year contract with Wall, the former superintendent of School Union 29 serving Poland, Mechanic Falls and Minot. Wall’s background includes seven years as a teacher and 14 years as a building principal. He served as principal at Leeds Central and Greene Central schools before becoming superintendent of Union 29, a position he held for 13 years.

He guided the latter school system to build their own high school to serve students in their towns. Each town in the union had its own school committee, and during his superintendency, Wall estimated earlier this spring, that he attended 39 annual town meetings, crated 52 budgets and went to 1,300 night meetings. He left Union 29 in June.

Wall said he hadn’t set goals for the system and wouldn’t be doing that alone.

“The important thing is to provide stability in the change process and plans for the future will be done with the administration and staff,” Wall said.

Wall said he will be involved with negotiations to help teachers and the School Committee reach an agreement on a new contract.

He said he was hopeful to resolve the contract dispute in the near future and move on with the “excellent work that has been done here,” Wall said.

Jay teachers have been working without a contract for more than a year. Last spring, the teachers union took a no confidence vote in former Superintendent Stephen Cottrell and the School Committee. Cottrell left the Jay department Tuesday. He is the new superintendent of Monmouth School Department.

Jay School Committee Chairman Jim Durrell said that Wall was chosen out of 10 applicants for the position. Wall’s experience, moral character and dedication to education and his former school system were qualities that made the search committee favor him, he said.

Committee member Tim Toothaker said his knowledge of new requirements of No Child Left Behind and curriculum alignment would be beneficial for Jay schools.

In Union 29, Wall oversaw about 375 staff members and about 2,000 students in three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. The union’s budget was about $22 million. Jay has about 935 students, three schools and a budget of $10.1 million.

Wall’s training includes extensive preparation for the position, which includes a doctorate in educational leadership from Vanderbilt University, on-the-job practical experiences, extensive financial responsibilities, commitment to local values and a proven record of success as an administrator, Durrell said.

Wall lives in Lewiston with his wife, Deanna. The couple has two grown children, Lindsay and Ethan.

“I’m pleased to be here,” Wall said. “It’s an excellent opportunity to work in a progressive and well-organized system.”

dperry@sunjournal.com

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