By Kerri Pepoy,Staff Writer

OXFORD – Jane Fahey, principal of Madison Avenue Elementary School in Oxford, will serve as principal of the new Paris Elementary School.

Mark Eastman, SAD 17’s superintendent, nominated Fahey on Monday at a regular directors’ meeting. Board members accepted the nomination.

“She is a strong leader who has a wide array of knowledge and skills that will assist her as she blends two schools into one and deals with all the aspects of the transition,” said Eastman. “I am confident that she will continue to meet the challenges that are ahead.”

Fahey’s post at Madison Avenue Elementary is being eliminated due to the construction of the new school.

Fahey, an Otisfield resident, has an extensive background in elementary education. She was a teacher in grades four, five and six in Iowa and served as assistant principal of Tyhee Elementary School in Pocatello, Idaho.

She was principal of elementary schools in Iowa, Kansas and New Hampshire. She has been principal of Madison Avenue Elementary for the past six years.

Fahey has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Central College in Pella, Iowa, and a master’s degree in educational administration from Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho.

Fahey lists her interests as travel, reading, baseball, golf, lake activities and dog training. She also has a pilot’s license.

The Paris Elementary School, anticipated to open in late February 2007, will house students who attend Madison Avenue Elementary and Mildred Fox Elementary School in Paris.

The $12 million school is off High Street between Hathaway Road and Meadow Lane. The building will cover 60,000 square feet and contain preschool through grade six classrooms, accommodating 450 students.