LIVERMORE FALLS — The RSU 73 board unanimously appointed Jay Elementary School Principal Chris Hollingsworth as acting principal at Spruce Mountain High School in Jay after a 20-minute closed session Thursday night.

Donna Labbe, longtime fourth-grade teacher at the elementary school, was appointed an assistant to Hollingsworth at the elementary school.

The need for new leadership at the Jay high school is the result of the resignation of interim Principal Gilbert Eaton, effective Nov. 9.

Superintendent Robert Wall said the appointments may begin earlier than Eaton’s resignation date.

“This is a transitionally and operationally effective way (to lead the high school),” Wall said.

Both appointees will receive additional stipends for their extra work. Hollingsworth, of Farmington, will remain as principal of record at the elementary school.

Because Labbe, of Jay, will deal primarily with administrative matters from the elementary principal’s office, a long-term substitute to teach her class has been assigned, Wall said.

Linda LeClerc, a retired teacher from the Jay system, will take over Labbe’s teaching duties.

Wall said the administrative appointments may or may not continue until the end of the school year. He said the decision is contingent upon who is hired and when he or she can begin work for the new position of principal of Spruce Mountain High School, which will house all secondary students from the Jay and Livermore Falls campuses at the beginning of the 2012-13 school year.

Steve Leunig is principal of Spruce Mountain High School in Livermore Falls. He has said that he will apply for the combined position.

Copy the Story Link