CALAIS — Keith Laser was introduced to the City Council Tuesday night as the new superintendent of the city’s school system.

Laser, 59, previously assistant superintendent for Auburn schools, was introduced by interim superintendent Raymond Freve. The School Committee voted to appoint Laser to the top school post during an executive session last week, Freve said.

After being introduced, Laser joined Freve in sitting in on the council’s special session to deal with school funding.

“It’s not over,” Laser said after the meeting.

Laser, who began his new duties Tuesday, served as assistant superintendent for Auburn a little over two years. He said most of his duties related to human resources, supervision and evaluation, contract negotiations and policy issues.

Prior to joining the Auburn school department, Laser was principal of Holy Name High School, a private school in Reading, Pa., for nearly eight years. He also was principal of two elementary schools in Pennsylvania and Maryland and served as executive director of Everest Academy in Clarkston, Mich., from 2001 to 2002.

Laser is a retired Navy commander and aviator, exiting the service in 1996 after 20 years. His specialty was anti-submarine warfare, and he also served as a helicopter flight instructor. Laser’s last Navy assignment was as a navigator aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Enterprise aircraft carriers.

Laser earned a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy. He received a master’s degree in school administration from Loyola University in Baltimore and a doctorate of education degree in school leadership from Nova Southeastern University, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He holds additional degrees from the Naval War College and Salve Regina University, both located in Newport, R.I.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.