FARMINGTON – It was an evening of resignations for the SAD 9 directors Tuesday. Two principals announced they are retiring June 30, and the chairman of the Board of Directors announced that he is resigning from the board Feb. 1.

Directors accepted with regret the resignations of Paul Gooch, principal of Wilton’s Academy Hill School and Cushing School, and Melvin Burnham, principal of Farmington’s Mallett School.

Gooch has 35 years in education, 27 of them in SAD 9. Burnham has 30 years in education, with 27 of them in administration, five of them in SAD 9.

“We certainly wish them both well,” Superintendent Michael Cormier said of the administrators. “We will miss them.”

Cormier said it would not be easy to replace them.

He added that both administrators are leaving their schools in great shape.

Director Bob Flick of Farmington told them he appreciated their dedication to the district.

Greg Webber, a board member of about 11 years who has served the last two years as chairman, read a prepared letter to the board.

“It is with my regret I must report to the board that I have submitted my resignation as representative from New Sharon effective Feb. 1,” Webber said. “I have done so for personal reasons that I will not elaborate on here or in the future.”

“I would like to say though that my reasons are in no way connected to any business or issues within the district as I said they are purely personal,” Webber said.

“I will miss with all my heart serving on this board and being a part of this district in one way or another as I have over the last 30 or so years, from my time here as a student to a parent to an employee, a coach and now my time here as a board member it has been truly extraordinary.”

Although the board took no action and made no comment after his resignation, administrators and board members alike lined up to speak to him at the end of the meeting.

He received several hugs, and several people expressed their best wishes.