OXFORD – SAD 17 directors approved a plan Monday night to find a successor for retiring Superintendent Mark Eastman by March 2010.

In December, the board voted not to extend Eastman’s contract beyond June 30, 2010, at his request, and to set up a committee to make a recommendation on how to proceed with filling the post.

Eastman, 63, who is in his 14th year as superintendent and has served for several decades in education, told the board he would prefer a six-to-12-month framework.

According to the plan, which was developed by the Succession Planning Committee headed by board members Ron Kugell and Mary Pietroski, an open search will be conducted of candidates from the Oxford Hills region and Maine in general to meet the July 1, 2010, date of Eastman’s retirement.

A search committee will be established in November, followed by advertising for the position and initial application and credential reviews in January 2010.

Interviews and site visits will be held in February and March 2010, with an appointment set to be made by directors in mid to late March. The new superintendent will begin work on July 1, 2010.

The Succession Planning Committee has recommended that Eastman assist with the search but not be a member of the search committee, and that employees, students and community members assist in the screening during the first round.

Directors will interview and select the finalist.

Other members of the Succession Planning Committee were Curtis Cole, Bill Hanger, Tom Moore, Nick DiConzo and Don Gouin.