LIVERMORE FALLS — Regional School Unit 36 directors Thursday night accepted with regret the resignation of Superintendent Judith Harvey, effective June 30.

Harvey, who was not at the meeting, is retiring as of July 1, and taking a part-time position with another district to allow her to spend more time with her family. She started in RSU 36 on July 1.

Directors also voted to go into executive session, with Director Mac Haynes of Livermore Falls opposed, to discuss potential employment scenarios for the superintendent’s position that may or may not include people involved in the district.

Interim Superintendent Shawn Lambert, standing in for Harvey, was not going to participate in the session.

Former interim Superintendent David Wallace was waiting in another room to discuss the board’s options to fill the position, especially with the potential of consolidation with Jay, board Chairman Ashley O’Brien said. There would be no action following the session, he said.

The reason it was in executive session is because at least one potential candidate, Lambert, who is also the high school principal, would be discussed as an option.

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“I would like to encourage the board not to spend the money on a search,” high school guidance director Sue Spalding said, when Lambert could fill the position.

Haynes said after the meeting that he opposed the executive session because he does not like executive sessions.

O’Brien declined to hear from Livermore Falls Town Manager Jim Chaousis during the public comment portion of the meeting. Chaousis said he had previously called to be on the agenda to discuss financial information pertinent to budget discussion.

Budget discussion is set at 6 p.m. both Monday, March 15, and Tuesday, March 16, at the Livermore Elementary School. O’Brien said Chaousis’ comments would be allowed then.

The public comment session is for questions germane to the agenda, O‘Brien said.

Chaousis said the public comment period at the meetings is unfriendly and the only time the public has an opportunity to address the board.

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There were people and town officials from three towns wanting to discuss consolidation with the board at the February meeting and O’Brien told them there was only 15 minutes allowed.

There are two policies referencing public comment session. One adopted in 1994 puts a 15 minute limit on the session, and another does not have a time limit on discussion, Director Denise Rodzen of Livermore Falls said.

“This is an uninviting atmosphere,” Chaousis said.

In other matters, the board directed the All-Sports Boosters to get a tax exempt number by June 30. The Boosters have been using the school system’s tax exempt number to purchase items to benefit the district’s athletic teams. Auditors recommended the organization get its own number.

O’Brien also announced a special school board meeting after the March 16 budget meeting to discuss the high school’s status on the federal No Child Left Behind act.

dperry@sunjournal.com


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