Buckley resigns as superintendent of Lubec schools

MSAD 19 Superintendent Michael Buckley resigned effective immediately in an executive session during the MSAD 19 Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, October 30. Officials will say only that Buckley resigned for "personal reasons" and provide no further details. Board chairman Russell Wright says, "It was a mutual agreement between everybody. He wanted to go C there was no hard feelings. He resigned, submitted his resignation letter, for personal reasons." Wright adds that Buckley's resignation is not connected to an advisory vote on November 4 regarding closing the Lubec High School.

According to employees at the school, Buckley packed his personal belongings and was gone the morning after his resignation. The superintendent's contract, which paid about $60,000 per year plus benefits for three work days per week, was set to expire in June 2009 and was, according to Wright, up for renewal talks in December. No details of any payments or financial settlement for Buckley have been released by officials. The contract states that it may be terminated by mutual agreement at any time.

Chairman Wright says, "We have advertised for a superintendent and have had some interest shown. Three or four people have called." He says that the board is looking for someone to work one day a week for the time being. State law requires that the school have a certified superintendent. Principal Peter Doak of the Lubec Consolidated School has a state certificate but has reportedly said that he does not want to take on the added responsibilities.

The single school in the system has about 160 students from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12. Residents will vote in early December on approval of consolidation with other area school systems, which is another reason cited for waiting before making a decision about a new, permanent superintendent.