By Kelly Morgan,Staff Writer

OXFORD – Assistant Principal Ted Moccia won out over 11 other candidates to be named principal of Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

The 43-year-old Norway resident’s appointment was approved by the SAD 17 Board of Directors at a meeting Monday. He was recommended by Superintendent Mark Eastman, who was not available for comment.

Assistant Superintendent Mark LaRoach said Monday that the district is delighted that Moccia applied for the position.

“We were just very pleased by the pool (of candidates), and Ted was certainly just stellar in the interview,” he said.

LaRoach added that Moccia – who began working at the high school as a physical education teacher in 1990, coached the varsity football team for 11 years, and was appointed assistant principal in 1999 – has proven his capacity to handle the job.

Moccia has a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Plymouth College in Plymouth N.H., and this year obtained a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Southern Maine, LaRoach said. The latter degree helps prepare individuals to become principals.

Moccia worked as a science teacher in Lewiston from 1984 to 1986, as a physical education teacher and as assistant coach of the varsity football team at Lewiston High School before coming to Oxford Hills in 1990.

He is on vacation and could not be reached for comment Tuesday. His mother, Patricia Dyer of Paris, answered his phone that afternoon.

“He is excited,” she said, noting how proud she is of her son’s accomplishments. “He’s worked very hard for it,” Dyer added. “This year he’s been teaching plus going to college.”

Moccia is expected to begin his duties in July and will be paid $75,000.

“He’s starting at approximately $6,000 less than (outgoing principal) Joe Moore would have received for the 2005-6 school year,” LaRoach said, explaining that principals’ salaries are set for each district school as part of a collective bargaining agreement. The district is allowed to reduce the salary by no more than 10 percent depending on experience.

In May, Moore accepted a job as principal of Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, which is closer to his Monmouth home. He has a two-year contract and was given a salary of $77,000.

LaRoach said four of the 12 applicants were invited for interviews. He said there is a national shortage of principals due to education legislation, the possibility of lawsuits and even perceived school board-principal relations.

LaRoach said the assistant principal’s job and the Oxford Elementary School principal’s position are being advertised. Oxford Principal Moe Kautz has announced his retirement, he said.