JAY — School Superintendent Robert Wall is filling in as high school principal after Joe Moore turned in his resignation last week for personal reasons.

Moore submitted his letter Friday morning, Aug. 21, Wall said Thursday.

Middle School Principal Scott Albert will be helping the superintendent with the transition, Wall said.

Even with the sudden resignation, Wall and school staff members put together a smooth opening day for students on Wednesday, School Committee Chairwoman Mary Redmond-Luce said.

Moore came to Jay in the 2008-09 school year after serving as principal as Mt. Blue High School in Farmington and Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in Paris before that.

Attempts to reach Moore, who lives in Monmouth, were unsuccessful Thursday.

Wall said he is trying to balance both the principal and superintendent jobs, and will work along with staff to provide a smooth transition and continuity for students. After he finishes his principal duties, he goes next door to his superintendent’s office to get what needs to be done there, he said.

School Committee members will decide the next step to fill the position at their next meeting Thursday, Sept. 3, at the middle school library. Board members will meet at 5:30 p.m. for an executive session with their school attorney and the regular meeting will follow.

Wall said the first day of school at all levels was a success.

“We had a very good opening. We have 27 students more than we had at the close of school in June,” Wall said.
There are 789 students in the school system. Sixteen of the new students are enrolled at the high school bringing student population to 250, Wall said.

The new one-run busing system to and from school also went well, he said.

dperry@sunjournal.com

Joe Moore, former Jay High School principal