OXFORD — Seven candidates to fill pending principalships at Oxford, Otisfield and Norway elementary schools will be interviewed beginning next week.

Kim Ramharter, principal of Oxford and Otisfield elementary schools, tendered her resignation Jan. 30, effective at the end of the school year. On Jan. 5, Rowe Elementary School Principal George “Beaux” Sincerbeaux announced he plans to retire at the end of the school year after 40 years in education.

Superintendent Rick Colpitts said the candidates will tour the schools, be interviewed by teams of parents and teachers, have dinner with an administrative team, be interviewed by the Personnel Committee and have a discussion with Colpitts.

“We’re trying to get as much feedback as we can from the broadest number of stakeholders. It’s a pretty thorough process,” he said.

All candidates are from Maine and have at least two years of experience in administrative roles. Some are from within SAD 17.

Colpitts said he was surprised only about a dozen people applied, attributing it to a shortage of administrators in Maine.

Following the interviews, Colpitts will visit the candidates’ work sites, he said.

He expects to bring his nominations for both positions to the board of directors on April 7.

Ramharter was hired in 2003 as assistant principal of the Guy E. Rowe Elementary School in Norway. She was appointed Harrison Elementary School principal in 2009. In 2010, she was named principal of the Oxford and Otisfield schools.

Sincerbeaux served as a teacher, guidance counselor and principal for 24 years. He has worked in Vermont and in Aroostook County in Maine. He has served as principal at the Rowe school for the past 13 years.

ldixon@sunjournal.com

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