FARMINGTON – SAD 9 directors voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Joe Moore of Monmouth as the new principal of Mt. Blue High School. Moore was given a two-year contract at a salary of $77,000 for the first year, plus benefits.
Moore is currently the principal of Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in SAD 17 in the Paris area, which has a student population of 1,200 students, about 300 more than Mt. Blue.
Moore was one of 16 applicants for the position being vacated by Principal Greg Potter at the end of the school year. Potter has accepted a job as superintendent of Union 133 in the Windsor area.
Chesterville Director Charisse Keach asked about Moore’s $77,000 salary, and the discussion about new hires and attrition during budget talks. Superintendent Michael Cormier said he has 20 years of experience and the district is not going to hire for less.
“I’m very excited about getting Joe Moore,” Director Robert Pullo of Wilton said before the vote.
After the unanimous vote, Moore said he was equally excited and very impressed with the interview process.
“I think some great things are going on,” Moore said. “I’m excited. … Thank you for your confidence.”
Moore was given a round of applause by directors and those in the audience as he was welcomed to the school district.
In other business, directors accepted “with regret” Mt. Blue High School Athletic Director Bonnie Levesque’s resignation. Levesque has accepted a position as principal at Madison Junior High School in SAD 59 beginning July 1.
“We’ve been lucky to have Bonnie Levesque in our system for many years,” Pullo said.
Directors also approved a request by Mt. Blue Middle School teacher Betsy Hall for the Destination Imagination Team to go to Knoxville, Tenn., to compete at the Destination Imagination Global Finals at the end of May. The seven-member team of eighth-graders won the regional and state championships.
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