RUMFORD – SAD 43 Superintendent James Hodgkin is virtually brimming with enthusiasm for the start of the new school year.

In the leadership seat for only a month, he sees a huge amount of positive energy coming from the staff, the school board, parents and community members.

“Everyone is excited about moving things in a positive direction,” he said.

Every teaching and educational technician position has been filled, the district’s five schools are bright and shiny, and all systems are go for students to begin their first day of school on Tuesday. Teachers begin on Monday.

“I’m very optimistic and have this whole notion of positive energy. I’ve been very impressed with what I’ve seen,” he said, particularly as it relates to the curriculum work completed to meet state and federal educational expectations.

Hodgkin, who came to SAD 43 from the Monmouth School Department where he last served as principal of the middle school, is one of three new administrators in the local school system.

He joins newly hired Mountain Valley High School Principal Bruce Lindberg and MVHS Assistant Principal Steve Saunders.

“We’re very fortunate to have someone like Bruce on to deal with some of the issues,” said Hodgkin, adding that the structure of the high school will be looked at to assure that it is in line with other high schools in the state and nation.

Hodgkin said he is also pleased to see four new board members, something he believes adds to the positive outlook for the upcoming new year. The new administrators and new board members are bound to make a big difference in the school’s climate.

“I see a real sense of objectivity, a whole clean slate,” he said.

Class sizes will remain small and the educational program will be about the same as it has been in the past.

The district is seeing a bulge in the number of middle schools students, with an average of 130 students per class, followed closely by the number of high school students per class. The lower grades are showing the smallest number of students, with an average of about 90.

The district expects a total of 1,595 students this year, down about 20 from the last school year.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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