Head of Katahdin region schools to retire
12/5/09 | 18 comments

Head of Katahdin region schools to retire


By Nick Sambides Jr.
BDN Staff

Sara Alberts will retire effective June 30 as superintendent of the Katahdin region’s public schools, ending five years of what Millinocket School Committee Chairman Thomas Malcolm called “an impossible job.”

Alberts announced her retirement to a combined Union 113-Millinocket School Committee meeting Monday night. In a letter to the school boards dated Nov. 30, Alberts wrote that she and her husband have accepted “a prolific job opportunity that utilizes our collective management experiences.”

“I think she has done a good job,” Malcolm said Friday. “She was hired to do an impossible job. I think she has done it to the best of her ability. It’s a loss to us and to the education field.”

Alberts is the second superintendent in the Katahdin and Lincoln Lakes region to be leaving at the end of the school or budget year. She joins Superintendent Michael Marcinkus of RSU 67, which serves Chester, Lincoln and Mattawamkeag.

Alberts was a special education director at SAD 4, which serves Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford, Parkman, Sangerville and Wellington, when she was hired to run the East Millinocket, Medway, Millinocket and Woodville schools in July 2004 for $80,000 annually.

Having one person run Katahdin schools had never been tried. It was an experiment that supporters hoped would save money.

“It was, to say the least, a Herculean task that no one person no matter how dedicated could possibly achieve,” Millinocket Town Councilor Michael Madore said Friday.

Besides contending with administrative sprawl, the job required answering to the Union 113 school board, which oversees East Millinocket, Medway and Woodville schools; the towns’ individual school committees; and a combined Union 113-Millinocket board.

“She was trying to appease these different areas. It would be difficult for anyone,” East Millinocket committee member Dan Byron said.

Seen as knowledgeable and articulate, Alberts contended with the towns’ multigeneration school, economic and political rivalries, schools that suffered from decreasing state funding, shrinking municipal tax bases and a dramatic school population downturn. They also had lucrative personnel contracts that dated back to better days.

Alberts had some successes. Several arts and sports programs and administrative positions were combined, producing improved programs and, school board members said, considerable savings — $230,000 annually, she estimated.

New computers and programming were introduced to the schools. Grades improved in some areas. A reaccreditation effort at Stearns High School of Millinocket revealed that the school is exceptionally well-maintained and responsive to pupil needs. East Millinocket and Medway school budgets also shrank or showed little growth over the last year or so.

“She works hard, she is a bright woman, but it’s a busy job,” Byron said. “There’s a lot of responsibility there and a lot of hats she is wearing. I don’t think she had too many evenings to herself.”

Alberts found herself targeted in no-confidence votes by the East Millinocket and Millinocket school unions in 2008; suffered from a continual turnover in bookkeepers — four left positions in two years by mid-2008 — and endured sharp questions about her handling of school finances and budgeting.

Teachers complained that a rushed, uncommunicative, top-down management style had left them increasingly burdened with demands that were beyond their job descriptions and cut into their teaching and classroom management time. Several complained about payroll checks not being issued on time.

Millinocket leaders responded by expressing confidence in Alberts, blaming the payroll problems on bookkeeper turnover, but some Millinocket Town Council members suggested replacing Alberts with another superintendent who would answer only for Millinocket schools.

Millinocket schools’ having an anticipated budget surplus of $512,000 in October, after school leaders insisted a half-year earlier that a budget increase was necessary, again raised questions about the school systems’ financial management.

More recently, East Millinocket and Medway school leaders also have expressed desires for a superintendent who would be more responsive to their needs.

“I recognize that over time, boards change, philosophies change and sadly, there is no longer unification around the purpose for which I was originally hired,” Alberts wrote.

A joint board meeting will be held next week to discuss replacing Alberts, Malcolm said. Byron said he wouldn’t want another Katahdin region superintendent.

“We have things we have to get done here in East Millinocket, and it makes it difficult to do that when you have a superintendent that is also [running] the other towns’ schools,” he said.

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Comments
18 comments on this item
On 12/5/09 at 12:01 AM, anotherneighbor wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Our prayers have been answered. Now, anyone but me wondering about all that money that just happened to be found ? Something tells me we haven't heard the last of this and that! But then again do Millinocket citizens ever get the whole truth ( FROM HER, THE SCHOOL BOARD, THE COUNCIL OR THE TOWN MANAGER) and nothing but the truth? NOT!

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On 12/5/09 at 7:47 AM, unlockautism wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Praise the Lord on this! Ms.Alberts treated most people ..students and parents along w/ teachers w/ indifference and disrespect ! She needs to go into politics because she can talk a good game...GAME ! Next time HIRE SOMEONE W/ COMPASSION AND BASIC PEOPLE SKILLS ...EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION...oh she is good at talking ..she just does not listen.....or care!!! Goodbye......I hope and pray u and your family never has a child w/ special needs...because she would NEVER MAKE IT...but..if she does...I hope she remembers my face...signed JODI HELSOR (parent) Thank-you school board and town boards for asking the hard questions and finally seeing the light.

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On 12/5/09 at 8:12 AM, stearns66 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I hope that this is the time for Millinocket to act and gets its own superintendent. The Millinocket School system needs someone to take care of Millinocket's interest. It is time for her to go and for the town to move on. We need a strong leader and a person with educational leadership that understands the whole job, not just balancing a budget. I hope that Mr. Tom Malcolm understands this and lets the rest of the board have an imput in the discison to whom they hire. Once again I hope that the millinocket school board hires it own superintendent to lead the Millnicket School system.

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On 12/5/09 at 8:40 AM, Mr_Confucious wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Mr Confuciuu has difficult time believing anotherneighor or unlockautism could do a better job. There was no physical money that disappeared and then reappeared. It was budgeted, but not spent. These things happen.

"A little learning is a dangerous thing but a lot of ignorance is just as bad."

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On 12/5/09 at 8:45 AM, deerhntr wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

All school districts have carry over money-dummies. If they didn't they would not have any money if there was an emergency. She did a great job considering the economy of this stupid town that lives or dies because of a stupid mill. She should get a medal for working there as long as she did ,working with you people at the end of the earth. There isn't many towns that have only 1 road in and out of town. You will get some real prize next I bet.

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On 12/5/09 at 12:46 PM, hardworkerx2 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Im glad for all the teachers and other school employees who voted no confidence against Sara Albert. They are finally getting rid of the power hungry person who should have been fired after that vote. It just goes to show that your vote doesnt count in a small town and that the elected officals just want the jpower and they dont really care.

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On 12/5/09 at 7:04 PM, unlockautism wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

as i said mr. fizzle and mr.drizzle....not about the money ....freaks...about her lack there of...as far as living at the end of the Earth....LOVING IT... beautiful people and wonderful community...you did not deal w/ her on our level...so you have no idea...if it was about money..she would have been gone long ago....I think we know about the carry-over money dummy...she should not get a metal...for what pushing a pen? Maybe you two should hook up and have a nice chat...you would see pretty quickly what she is like....unless of course that is your type. Probably.

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On 12/5/09 at 9:24 PM, Jennifer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Mr_Confucious I didn't see unlockautism indicate that they thought they could do a better job or say they wanted the job. The things that were pointed out in that post are VERY valid points. I have had to try and deal with this woman as well and figured it was just me but evidently it wasn't! I have since learned that she has treated many people the way Ms Helsor indicates and our children deserve better...MUCH better.

Each town needs and deserves their own superintendent that will represent THEIR towns...she was put in a hard spot as far as that goes trying to work for 3 separate school boards....it still doesn't give her the right to treat the very people who pay her wages the way she does.

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On 12/6/09 at 7:46 AM, Lovetofish wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

You know it is really hard to judge a person before you walk in there shoes. I do not know the situation in that area, but do know that dealing with one school board would be enough. Three school boards, three budgets that is a task. Do you really think that would be possible? This is what the top half of Northen Maine is going to be facing. Let the MAINE learn from this. This is not possible. One superintendent for each district is needed. Again I am not up to date on the situation up in that area, but it seems like that job was set to fail from the start. It seems that she has a better offer. So some of you maybe happy she is leaving and some of may wish she was not. Well it seems like it happened again she can not please everyone. So her and her husband have decided to move on and try another adventure. I wish them the best in life and hope this future job is everything they hope it is. I also hope that the school districts that she is leaving will grow to the level they are looking for. Time for all to stop talking about the past and move on. So best of luck to all and Merry Christmas to ALL!!!!

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On 12/6/09 at 2:23 PM, Loreeross wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This is precisely why consolidation will not work in rural Maine. Many schools will be left out in the cold with unreponsive school boards and AOS schools will be even worse off. What we lose in superintendants will have to be made up for with other new posistions. The only way Maine can truly reduce administration is for the DOE to stop constantly mandating and then expect the superintendants to write all these "reports" to show that we are all good little sheeple who are doing as we are told. School systems did not maike education so incredibly expensive, the DOE did. Government messes everything up, then blames the people for it. What a crock.

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On 12/6/09 at 5:54 PM, victimnumber31 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

confucius was known as an innovative thinker, if you want that respect at least spell it right CONFUCIUS

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On 12/6/09 at 6:44 PM, chersully2000 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

victimnumber31: You are smart!

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On 12/6/09 at 6:53 PM, victimnumber31 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

chersully: thank-you read some of your posts: obviously you are too!

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On 12/6/09 at 11:35 PM, chersully2000 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

You are welcome, victimnumber31. Have a good week. Life is good.

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On 12/7/09 at 11:35 AM, unlockautism wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Mr_Confucius....I am who I am. While I could always improve, I will not let anyone "try" and make me what they think I should be. (A quiet little girl who should keep my mouth shut) No thank-you. I had the courage to sign my name , knowing there would be comments such as yours. I may not be able to avoid getting angry at times and holding a grudge is not healthy ....but, when I believe in something I make sure I say it "hotly". It's not enough to be kind and good to others..(those who know me..know I am kind to others ) I had to take a stand. Children were being harmed . I.E.P.'s were being violated, Parents were dismissed . Teachers were not heard.

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced" James Baldwin

(clearing my throat) Is that a "good enough" shout back sir....I support consolidation . Always have. Three schools ..that is all we need for this area.

Still not sure what "treatment" is working for me....but it does put a smile on my face....snicker...:) With that said....My uneducated self has two words for you BITE ME ! Can I get an Amen from the cheap seats? Holla!

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On 12/7/09 at 10:27 PM, Jennifer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

and one more thing to add here Ms Helsor and myself have chosen to use our names and never made a secret of who we are yet here comes 'confused' and likes to make personal comments about anyone who dares speak against what they like. Why not use your name too then we are all on a level playing field...of course I am pretty sure I know who you are and that explains why you wouldn't....nothing more than a wanna be bully...a big ol puss

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On 12/7/09 at 11:06 PM, anotherneighbor wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Pretty sure lol I make a bet it's one of Millinocket's Board members in fact I'd bet it's her!!

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On 12/8/09 at 6:15 AM, Blessed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

One could hope the next superintendent considers all the students attending school here. Is it too much to ask for that the superintendent weigh all sides of an arguement before allowing a prinicpal within their schools to abuse Schenck High School letterhead. The superintendent held steadfast to the position that it was OK for the principal to beg a judge not to give any jailtime to a man who recklessly endangered the father of a young 15 year old student at Schenck?

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