CAPE ELIZABETH — New principals will welcome students back to Pond Cove Elementary School and Cape Elizabeth Middle School at the start of the school year on Sept. 5.
Last week, the Cape Elizabeth School Board approved hiring Troy Eastman of Norway as principal of the middle school, and Jason Manjourides of Windham as principal of Pond Cove.
Sarah Forrey-Pettit of Portland will join Manjourides at Pond Cove as assistant principal.
“At this time of year, I wasn’t sure we’d find the caliber of applicants we were looking for, but we were pleasantly surprised,” interim Superintendent of Schools Howard Colter said.
Michael Tracy resigned as middle school principal in June, and Kelly Hasson stepped down as principal of Pond Cove in July.
Eastman received his Bachelor of Arts in general education from the University of Maine at Farmington in 2000. While pursuing his degree, he began his career in public education as an education technician at a high school day treatment program in 1999.
After teaching special education for five years, Eastman accepted his first administrative position as an assistant principal in Raymond in 2006.
In 2007, Eastman became a middle school principal in School Administrative District 17 in South Paris, where he served for 10 years until being offered the post at Cape Elizabeth Middle School.
“(The start of school) is coming very quickly, but I’m excited,” Eastman said. “I’m looking forward to joining a school with a rich history of academic success.”
Colter said Eastman “is somebody who realizes the importance of connecting with and working with parents, as well as students and other teachers. We think he is going to be a great fit for the middle school.”
Like Eastman, Manjourides is a Maine native and said he is looking forward to immersing himself in the Cape Elizabeth community.
“I have met several staff members and parents already and have been amazed by the sense of pride and commitment the community has for Pond Cove,” Manjourides said. “I feel very fortunate to be joining this team.”
Manjourides graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington a year before Eastman, with a bachelor’s degree in environmental planning and policy. He switched paths and earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Southern Maine in 2003.
Manjourides taught at the elementary level for 10 years before accepting his first assistant principal position at Songo Locks Elementary School in Naples in 2010. He later became an assistant principal at Guy E. Rowe Elementary School in Norway and Falmouth Elementary School.
According to Colter, each new administrator has a two-year contract, effective through June 30, 2019.
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