FARMINGTON – RSU 9 directors voted to accept the recommendation of the negotiating team of a three-year contract with Thomas Ward of Temple as the new superintendent beginning July 1.

During the first two years Ward’s salary will be $122,000.

Ward is a 1972 graduate of Mt. Blue High School and is superintendent of RSU 10 in the Rumford, Buckfield and Dixfield areas. Ward currently is paid $119,000 a year.

Ward will receive 25 vacation days a year, the same as current RSU 9 Superintendent Mike Cormier.

Cormier, who will retire June 30 after 20 years with the district, is paid $100,007 a year.

The school board voted to hire Ward on March 5, pending a successful contract negotiation.

Ward did not attend Tuesday’s board meeting.

Ward’s career in RSU 9/SAD 9 includes being a teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal/athletic director and principal of Mt. Blue High School in Farmington.

Board Chairman Mark Prentiss of Industry thanked the Administration Evaluation Committee for its work in finding a superintendent.

Now the committee moves on to interviewing candidates for an assistant principal position at Mt. Blue High School.

There were 40 applicants for the job currently held by Randy Cook. He plans to retire at the end of the year after 42 years with the district.

Administration Evaluation Committee Chairman Robert Pullo of Wilton said the committee will interview eight candidates on Monday and Tuesday, March 18 and 19.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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