One month before the new school year begins, the Board of Education finds itself with a slew of administration openings, including the superintendent’s position.
Dr. Judith Palmer Tuesday accepted the superintendent’s position for the Region 7 school district in the northwest corner of the state. Her first day there will be Aug. 16.
The board voided Palmer’s contract in May over a legal technicality and has since extended her contract in order to have the time to complete her evaluation.
Last week the board extended it to Aug. 13, the date of its next regular meeting.
It was only about a week ago that board members learned that Palmer was vying for the Region 7 position, board member Paula Guillet said Wednesday.
“I believe they found out last week,” she said. “They didn’t know before that.”
Calls to Palmer, board chairman Rose McKinnon and vice-chairman William Neary were not returned Wednesday.
The board will likely get an interim superintendent on board before beginning the search for a permanent replacement, said Guillet, a Democrat who was a vocal supporter of Palmer. As the controversy continued, she often wore shirts to board meetings expressing support of the superintendent.
She blames Palmer’s exit on people playing politics.
“It’s all political and it’s all about winning,” she said. The Republicans who control the board clearly didn’t want Palmer leading the district, she said.
“It’s awful that they play political games with children’s futures and with someones livelihood,” she said. “Hopefully, [Palmer] won’t ever have to deal with it again.”
But she wishes Palmer only the best, Guillet said.
“I’m not surprised at all and certainly understand Judy’s decision,” she said. “I’m happy for her personally but sad for Oxford.”
In addition to a new superintendent, the board is also searching for a new business manager and a new principal for Oxford High School.
Business Manager Al Pullo resigned in June, and principal Frank Samuelson retired shortly after the first Oxford High School graduating class received their diplomas that same month.
The board last month voted to hire a temporary business manager but has not yet addressed the vacancy at the high school. School is scheduled to begin Sept. 1.
Guillet said she wants to serve on any committee that is charged with the superintendent’s search. And much will be expected of whomever is chosen, she said.
“They will have some big shoes to fill,” she said.
