LIVERMORE FALLS – SAD 36 directors voted Tuesday to accept the resignation of Superintendent Terry Despres, effective Jan. 31. However, Despres is no longer the superintendent of the district effective Tuesday.

The board voted to appoint David R. Wallace of Portland as interim superintendent through June 30. They also voted to appoint David Bois of Windham as assistant superintendent through the same period.

Despres wrote in his resignation letter dated Jan. 13, “For personal and medical reasons, I hereby resign as superintendent of Maine School Administration District No. 36, effective Jan. 31, 2009. I have cherished my time with the district and I wish the best of fortune in the future. If I can be of any assistance during the transition to a new superintendent, please feel free to contact me.”

Reached at home in Winthrop on Tuesday, Despres said, “I’m just flat on my back. “

He said he isn’t able to work the 12- to 14-hour days it takes to do the job.

“I have to follow what the doctors say,” he said, and that means a rehabilitation program to restore the proper chemical balances in his body.

Wallace said Tuesday night from his home that he and Bois are both retired and have worked together in similar form at Saco’s school system .

The total cost for the two men is a combined $400 a day or $2,000 a week to be shared as they see fit.

Wallace said one would work three days a week, and the other two, or, if necessary, they would both work five days a week but at no extra cost.

Wallace served as superintendent of Bath School Department from 1991 to 1999, was assistant superintendent of schools in Westbrook from 1988 to 1991, principal of Westbrook High School from 1984 to 1988, principal of Deering High School in Portland from 1981 to 1984, and principal; of Lincoln Junior High School before that in Portland. His resume includes administrative leadership as well as being a history teacher at Portland High School and social studies teacher at Hall-Dale Junior High School in Hallowell in his younger years.

Since his retirement he has served most recently as interim superintendent of schools for Brunswick. Prior to that he was interim superintendent twice for Saco and Dayton schools, interim deputy superintendent of South Portland schools.

Bois was a previous superintendent of Raymond and Westbrook school systems, Wallace said.

Wallace said he planned to meet with SAD 36 central office staff, school administrators and elementary school staff Wednesday. He will meet with others and the school board in the following days.

Despres was in his seventh year as SAD 36 superintendent. His salary was about $103,000 and he had a contract through June 30, 2011.

Growing up, Despres picked potatoes, worked in lumber mills and shined shoes in Aroostook County to help pay for his college education. He started out as a science and math major but wasn’t quite sure what career he would pursue. It was between pharmacology and education and the latter won out.

Despres has served as a top administrator for more than 20 years. He was superintendent of Winthrop schools and then worked for the Gates Foundation before taking the SAD 36 superintendent and business manager position. He also was superintendent of both school systems for one year.

Under Despres leadership, SAD 36 was able to save taxpayers money, offer students enhanced programming and direct more money into the classroom. Both the Livermore Falls High School and the Livermore Elementary School became accredited and the Livermore Falls Middle School is in the process of doing so.

SAD 36 Chairman Ashley O’Brien said Despres did a lot of good for the district, and the staff who worked to make it happen are still in the school system.

The board also voted to authorize the interim superintendent to do all the duties that a superintendent is required to do.