Theriault takes helm of Shead; Lux eyes superintendent job

A shuffling of the deck is taking place in the Eastport school system, as a native Eastporter who moved into the field of education in his 40s and has taught for the past several years at Shead High School now will lead the school, as the principal moves on to become a superintendent. Last week Paul Theriault was named the acting principal at Shead, while Principal Terry Lux is undertaking an internship with interim School Union 104 Superintendent Omar Norton to become a superintendent.

Theriault, who is beginning his eighth year at Shead, worked for three years as an educational technician and four years as a social studies teacher and assistant principal. This spring he received his master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Maine, and he has been approved for a five-year principal's certificate.

"I've always liked leadership positions," says Theriault, who notes that his experiences in fields other than education, including being on the school board, coaching and working as a meat cutter at the R&M IGA, have helped him. "I enjoy people. I love working with people." His aim is to see "how I can help kids the most," and he adds that "being in a leadership capacity helps with that." He points out that "growing up poor in this area gave me a perspective on the struggles" that youths may have and helped him learn that those struggles don't have "to keep you down. You can still succeed somewhere.

As acting principal, Theriault is planning to increase communication with parents, and student grades will be posted on-line. Communications with staff will all be done electronically, which should save some money, he notes.

Among the new courses added this year are wood shop and a second class on Passamaquoddy culture. Four credits of wellness, which can include walking and running programs or lifetime sports, are now required, and Theriault comments, "If kids are healthier they will learn better." He would also like to have the arts community in Eastport more involved with the high school.

The new trimester scheduling at Shead should allow for the school to offer more for students and may help attract more students, he says. "We have to sell ourselves every day," the acting principal comments, but he is not worried about competing with other schools. Nor is he particularly concerned that enrollment is down from about 135 last year to 120 at present. "If you do your job and do it well, things will take care of themselves," he observes.

Concerning the future of the high school, Theriault quips, "I don't want to be the last principal of Shead High School. I see us being here a lot longer than people think. We have a lot to offer kids." Noting that the staff are very versatile, that five of the teachers have taught at the college level and that there are no major discipline issues with students, Theriault says with pride, "We've got a great little school here."

He admits that the school perhaps should work more on "selling ourselves to the people in town," to continue to be supported through local property taxes, but he points out that the cost of education might be less than the cost arising from vandalism or behavioral problems that could be the alternative.

Theriault believes that the state's regionalization process has not been well thought out, noting that, as school districts merge, there may be ownership issues involving everything from buildings to scholarships, but he suggests that perhaps Shead could become a private high school in the future. "We could be a powerful, well-focused high school, especially with the arts.

Terry Lux also is critical of Maine's new consolidation law, noting, "I feel this is a giant move to make with a short period of time given to the thought and study of the implications all of this has on the state. They don't talk about how this will affect kids; they just talk about the cost savings." She predicts there will be changes in the regionalization law before long.

Taking a chance

As the state is reducing the number of school districts from 288 to perhaps 80, who would want to take on becoming a superintendent in Maine? Terry Lux is one person who's willing to take that risk. Since it appears that there will be only one superintendent for each of the new regional school districts, Lux observes that she's taking a chance in giving up the principalship for an uncertain position. But she adds, "I don't worry about tomorrow very much." She says her main objective is to protect the interests of the Union 104 schools as the regionalization process moves forward. Union 104 towns have indicated their preference to partner with Unions 106 and 107, centered in Calais and Baileyville.

Lux also points out, "As a superintendent I will affect more of a student population. There are more children I can affect in a positive way.

Although she has enjoyed being principal at Shead, Lux says that interim Superintendent Norton asked her to consider becoming a superintendent. Norton observes that the school union would have had difficulty in attracting many candidates for the superintendent's position when he retires in February. Since a superintendent is required under state law, he believes the state might have ended up appointing one. Of Lux's decision to move from a secure position as principal to the uncertainty of being a superintendent during the school district reorganization process, Norton comments, "I think it's one of the most selfless acts I've seen. She's doing it because she believes in the system and that she can make a difference, and I know she can." He adds, concerning the arrangement with Lux and Theriault, "It seems to be a fitting situation for the times.

During her internship with Norton, Lux says she will be "learning from the best. It's a great opportunity for me." She adds, "He's the sharpest superintendent I've ever seen.

Lux, who has spent 29 years in education, has worked with small and large school systems. She was principal at a Florida school with 1,250 students and has been principal of Shead since August 2004. "I'm excited about a new challenge," she comments. "My biggest concern is to live up to the expectations placed on me.

Savings anticipated

At its September 4 meeting, the Eastport School Committee approved a five-month contract for Theriault as acting principal at an annual salary of $44,200, to be prorated for the period from September 1 to February 1. Norton said that when Theriault is considered for the full principal's position he will recommend an adjustment of the salary.

Lux's salary, presently $69,500, would also be renegotiated then. She is on leave from the principal's position to undertake the internship to qualify for a superintendent's certificate. Norton will be re-entering retirement on February 1, and it's anticipated that Lux would take over then.

With the staffing changes, Norton calculates that during the first year there will be a savings of approximately $11,000, and during the following year there will be a greater savings.

Regionalization update

During the meeting, it was announced that board chairman Paula Bouchard and city councillor Julie Leppin will represent Eastport on the reorganization planning committee, and Bouchard said that the two of them would try to find a community representative.

Norton noted that challenges to the regionalization law are being made by East Machias, under the state's home rule provision, and by former legislator Lawrence "Skip" Greenlaw of Stonington, who is organizing a petition campaign to have the law repealed.

Appointments

In other action, Norton reported that Terry Mealey has been hired as head cook, and Melissa Foss and Dawn Brockman have been hired as assistant cooks.

Staff appointments that have been made include Margaret Apt, Mina Bowen and Daniel Amber, who will be serving as educational technicians. Other appointments include: Susan Cox, senior class advisor; Dana Bard, National Honor Society; Rafi Hopkins, radio club; David Consalvi, yearbook; and Heron Weston, instrumental music director.

The board approved the Shead crisis management plan. Early release days at the elementary school are October 5, December 21, February 8, May 29 and June 12, pending snow days and last day of school.