PARIS — Directors of the Oxford Hills School District voted unanimously Monday night to hire a former Brunswick elementary school principal to be assistant superintendent.

Steve Ciembroniewicz was recommended by interim Superintendent Heather Manchester. He joins Maine School Administrative District 17 after leading Kate Furbish Elementary School for the Brunswick School Department. Before that, he was an administrator for Maine School Administrative District 75 in Topsham.

Ciembroniewicz’s appointment comes nine months after the position was eliminated by former Superintendent Monica Henson. Following her resignation, Manchester was appointed for the interim.

“I am honored,” Ciembroniewicz said following the vote. “The more and more I learn about Oxford Hills the more excited I am. The community, the focus on the students, the focus on the well-being of all the staff, it’s exciting. I am just grateful to be joining you, I can’t wait to get started. Thank you so much.”

Assistant Superintendent Patrick Hartnett resigned last September to become an associate professor at the University of Southern Maine’s School of Education and Human Development.

Afterward, the position was eliminated in favor of a chief financial officer and a chief operating officer, filled by internal candidates Carrie Colley and DJ Thorne, respectively. While Colley continues as CFO, Thorne opted to depart when the assistant superintendent position was reestablished and his position was eliminated. Thorne was previously principal for Hebron Station School.

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Directors also approved hiring Michael Manning who worked for Windham Southeast Supervisory Union in Brattleboro, Vermont. The Union has the administrative responsibility for the school districts in the southeast region, including Windham Southeast School District that includes Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford and Putney, and the Vernon Town School District in Vernon, according to its website.

Manning succeeds Dave Coburn, who resigned earlier this year.

Incoming Norway School Board Director Kelly Jacobson (right), speaks during SAD 17’s Monday night meeting. Pictured on left is Director Veronica Poland of West Paris Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat

The board unanimously reelected Natalie Andrews of West Paris as chairwoman and Jared Cash of Norway as vice chairman, both for one year.

Monday’s meeting was the first for recently elected Directors Rose Lacasse of Harrison, Shauna Broyer of Oxford and Kelly Jacobson of Norway.

In her report, Manchester advised the board she is working on a public forum for July 28 to enhance communication in the eight-town district. It will be held in The Forum at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in Paris.

The Central Office is surveying community members about the most important topics to address at the forum.

Manchester also said she is looking for the district to possibly participate in a University of Maine Farmington research study to better understand teacher shortages and to cultivate an educator talent pool. Oxford Hills would be one of three rural, high-poverty districts taking part in the study.

 


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