FREEPORT – Shannon Welsh is the superintendent of the new Durham-Freeport-Pownal school system, Board of Directors Chairwoman Laurie Poissonnier said Thursday.

The Woolwich resident begins her duties July 1, the day the new system begins operations. Her salary is being negotiated, she said in an interview Thursday. Her current salary is $99,452.

Poissonnier said directors met Wednesday night and voted to hire Welsh, who will leave her job as superintendent for Lisbon and Durham on June 30.

Lisbon School Committee Chairwoman Prudence Grant said Thursday that she was happy for Welsh but concerned “about the job we will have finding a new superintendent.” She said she has contacted the Maine School Management Association to ask for its help with the search and was assured there are many good candidates.

Welsh has served Lisbon and Durham for nine years.