Farmington native named assistant superintendent
By Samantha C. DePoy
Staff Writer

FARMINGTON – Susan Pratt, principal of the Phillips Elementary School, was appointed assistant superintendent of SAD 9 Tuesday night. She assumes her new post in mid-October. Pratt will replace longtime Assistant Superintendent Paul Knowles, who will become Gardiner’s new superintendent.

Pratt grew up in Farmington, graduated from Mount Blue High School and the University of Maine at Farmington and has lived in Strong for the past 24 years.

She joined SAD 58 in 1987 as middle school math and language arts teacher at Strong Elementary School and became principal of Kingfield Elementary School in 1998. Last year, she was named principal at Phillips.

She has a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Maine at Orono and recently traveled to Utah for training in the implementation of Powerschool, a real-time Web-based student information system from Apple.

Pratt said after her appointment Tuesday night that she is excited about her new endeavor and confident that the SAD 58 school she is leaving will continue to move in a positive direction.

On Friday, ground will be broken for construction of a library, arts space and K-2 classrooms at the Phillips school.

“What the public knows about education usually come from some vocal person who may not always be happy with a situation. I have worked hard to celebrate all the accomplishments of each school I have worked in,” Pratt said in her application letter. “I believe this should be a focus for everyone in a school system. This will be especially true as the state funding gets tighter. I think I can offer the SAD 9 board a local voice and someone who can deal with small town politics.”

Meanwhile, the board acknowledged the contributions Knowles has made to the district.

“Paul has fulfilled everything he told us he would when he came to this district,” said board Chairman Greg Webber as the board presented him an award for his services.

“SAD 9 is a wonderful place to work,” Knowles said. “I’ve never felt as appreciated and supported as I have here.”

Francis Orcutt, former board chairman and current director for more than 30 years, was honored with SAD 9’s annual District Service Award.

Cop program funded

SAD 9 directors were advised the district has been awarded a grant to keep Farmington Police Department officer Shane Campbell at Mount Blue High School.

Last May, the district learned that a federal grant that has supported the program since its inception in 1997 was not reapproved. District officials said since Campbell has been there student infractions have declined and students feel more comfortable around the police.

The new money from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant comes through the Department of Justice Office and totals $20.5 million for 36 states to hire 180 additional officers to protect schools. It covers a three-year period starting Jan. 1, 2004. There is a stipulation that the district pay for the fourth year, which is in the mid-$30,000 range.

Until January, Campbell will be paid with money given to SAD 9 for safety and substance prevention programs.

sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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