By Daniel Hartill,Staff Writer

MECHANIC FALLS – When the call came, Elm Street School Principal Mary Martin tried to keep it hush-hush.

Secretary Sherri Chagnon waited 90 minutes, as long as she could, and finally flipped on the intercom beside her desk. She told the whole school.

Kids screamed in the lines at their buses. Rehearsals for a play were halted while the student actors whooped and hollered.

“The whole building erupted,” teacher Cindi Matthews said.

One boy later said it was bigger than the Red Sox.

The Maine Principals’ Association named Martin their Elementary School Principal of the Year.

On Friday, the school was in full celebration mode.

Outside, the main sign congratulated Martin. Teachers all wore stickers reading, “My Principal is #1.”

Children, some as young as 6 years old, made a point of congratulating Martin, whom they all know.

Within the school, the statewide award is a chance for everyone to celebrate, Martin said. Outside the walls, it’s a chance to highlight the school and the town in a new way.

“There are a lot of people who work really hard, and they deserve the recognition,” Martin said.

Leadership lauded

In announcing the award Thursday, the principals’ association applauded Martin’s leadership in a rural school.

“Her commitment is clear and unequivocal,” Richard Durost, the association’s executive director said in a prepared statement. “She is a strong educational leader with exemplary community connections, who has high expectations for school staff, students, and herself.”

And she is proud of the honor.

Martin, 52, grew up in Mechanic Falls. She attended Elm Street School. After going to the University of Southern Maine, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, she moved back and never left.

She taught in Oxford Hills for a while. Then, 20 years ago, she began teaching second grade at Elm Street. Eight years ago, she became the principal.

“I think this is a special town,” Martin said. “They are willing to support us as far as they can.”

It’s not always easy. Martin says she has tried to be careful when asking for money, knowing the tax rate is high and there is little wealth.

Calm and steady

Her work with local leaders drew praise Friday.

“She carries herself with quiet professionalism,” said David Griffiths, chairman of the School Union 29 board. “When she talks, everybody stops and listens.”

Town Manager Dana Lee said Friday that Martin has encouraged a rare level of trust between the town and the school. With someone else as principal, town leaders might worry that money was spent too easily.

“You want to help the school out because she makes you feel very needed,” Lee said.

During Martin’s tenure, the school has undergone an expansion and renovations.

“We have had to ask the town to dig deep in its pockets,” she said.

However, when she decided it was needed, she also cut a teacher’s position from the school.

Yet, she has earned teachers’ respect. When she had to make changes, she went to them first.

She has been a calm, steady force.

“You never, ever see her stressed,” said Cindi Matthews, a computer teacher. Yet, staffers feel they can talk with her honestly.

“You know that she was a teacher,” Matthews said. “She’s going to understand.”

The Maine Principals’ Association will make an official presentation to Martin at an April 28 awards banquet at the Samoset Resort in Rockport. She will also be honored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals this fall in Washington.