Maine School Administrative District 17 Superintendent Heather Manchester is leaving Oxford Hills for a post in the coastal town of Yarmouth. Her last day with SAD 17 is June 30.

She will become Yarmouth School Department’s assistant superintendent for teaching and learning. Her appointment was confirmed by Yarmouth’s school committee May 28.

During an interview Friday, Manchester said she will miss Oxford Hills, but family circumstances have made it necessary for her to change her work-life balance.

Her new role also allows her to return to her career passion, which is a focus on teaching and learning.

“I’ve loved working in this district, and I really, truly care about the kids and the community and the staff,” she said. “We have a tremendous staff that are working to support our children and families. And I’m so proud to have worked with people here.”

Manchester became SAD 17’s curriculum director in 2014. Prior to that, she worked in Poland as an English teacher and instructional coach. She began her career teaching middle and high school in London, England.

The news of Manchester’s departure comes less than two weeks after SAD 17’s school board unanimously approved extending her contract by one year, through fiscal year 2028.

Now, directors will discuss how to replace her when they next meet Monday, June 1.

It will be a double whammy to SAD 17’s leadership, as Assistant Superintendent Steve Ciembroniewicz announced his retirement earlier this spring. The school board’s personnel committee is currently conducting interviews for Ciembroniewicz’s position.

Manchester was thrust into Oxford Hills’ top administrator role four years ago when former Superintendent Monica Henson was suspended after just six months on the job amid allegations of student abuse and misconduct. 

Manchester was bumped up from curriculum director and named interim superintendent when Henson officially left SAD 17 in April 2022. In January 2023, Manchester was appointed as SAD 17’s permanent top administrator. 

Under Manchester’s tenure, the district has seen a flurry of changes: the easing of pandemic mandates that unmasked Oxford Hills students at school; an expansion of outdoor education at all schools; replacement of an old portable classroom at Roberts Farm Preserve with a new facility, built with no impact to local property taxes; and launching two new school construction projects — also expected to be completed at no cost to local taxpayers.

While lauded as a savior by the community when she assumed the superintendent’s job, Manchester has also faced considerable criticism, starting with the abrupt and unpopular decision to close Agnes Gray Elementary School in West Paris in February 2024, closing Waterford Memorial School in 2025 and, more recently, over a proposal to purchase and renovate a new transportation facility that was soundly voted down at referendum.

Of the school construction projects, Oxford Hills voters approved building a new $88.1 million Oxford Hills Middle School in South Paris, which is being completely funded by the state. 

The second, an elementary school that would consolidate students residing in Norway, Harrison and Waterford as well as aggregating special education programs under one roof, has faced local opposition since the Maine Department of Education communicated it requires sacrificing community schools in those towns as well as in West Paris.

Those circumstances led to Harrison proposing withdrawal from the district, which will be determined at the ballot box June 9 in that town.

In April, the town of Paris began exploring withdrawal, following the bus garage proposal that failed during a special election in February.

“Dr. Heather Manchester is a strong leader and a good person. She stepped up during a very difficult time and immediately brought stability to our school community,” said board of directors Chair Troy Ripley, of Paris. “She has been a passionate advocate for our learners and educators while building relationships and support for our mission across our eight district towns. Under Heather’s leadership, we have achieved improved student attendance, staff retention and academic achievement.

“She was instrumental in the district securing historic state investments in our educational facilities and the difficult work of right-sizing and modernizing one of Maine’s largest school districts.”

Ripley added that it was Manchester who delivered a proposed 2026-27 district budget flat from the current year.

“Our next superintendent will have big shoes to fill,” said Vice Chair Mark Curran, of Harrison. “But they will start with a strong foundation and roadmap to the future thanks to Dr. Manchester’s inspired leadership.

“We thank Heather for her many accomplishments and wish her all the best as she continues her career as an educator.”

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