MEXICO – The Region 9 board began its search for a new vocational school director Monday night by contracting with the Maine School Management Association for help.

In the hastily called meeting, the board voted unanimously to hire Dale Douglass, executive director of the association, for about $600.

With about six weeks to go before classes resume, it is likely that the board will call several special meetings to advertise, interview and do other tasks to get a new leader in place.

This is the first time Region 9 has used the services of the association in a search for a director, and the first time the association has helped out in a search for a vocational director.

Douglass said the association assists nearly three dozen Maine school districts in their searches for superintendents each year.

Director Deborah Guimont resigned the position she has held for nearly five years. Her resignation was effective on July 16, although the board has contracted with her on a per diem basis to work occasionally until at least the first of September. Guimont resigned to take a similar position as director of the Sanford Vocational Center.

Douglass walked the board through the procedures and process for hiring an administrator, emphasizing the need for confidentiality. All applications will be directed to the association offices in Augusta. The association will also check certifications and assist the board with any questions it may have as the process continues.

Advertisements will probably appear in several of the state’s newspapers in the next few days, with a deadline for applications sometime in late August.

Douglass said certification for vocational school directors is likely to change by Sept. 1. The board will be notified of the differences within the next few days.

The board will meet next at 6:30 p.m. July 28 to discuss the form it will use for applicants, a possible brochure describing the school that could be sent to applicants, and the makeup of a screening committee that will review applications.

When a similar search was conducted five years ago, the board’s Personnel Committee was joined by members of the staff and a superintendent from one of the sending school districts, Chairman Norman Clanton said.

In the meantime, the board will begin the process for hiring an interim director.