UNITY, Maine — The Regional School Unit 3 board of directors this week selected a new superintendent for the far-flung, 11-town district.
Paul Austin of Nobleboro most recently has served as director of student services for the Brunswick School Department, a position he held for nine years, according to a media release issued by outgoing RSU 3 Superintendent Heather Perry. On July 1, he will start his new job at the head of RSU 3, composed of the towns of Brooks, Freedom, Jackson, Knox, Liberty, Monroe, Montville, Thorndike, Troy, Unity and Waldo.
Austin succeeds Perry, who has held the position for five years and who is leaving to lead the Gorham School Department.
Austin worked extensively on education policy development while in Brunswick and chaired a committee on proficiency-based education, according to the media release. He also worked with at-risk students. Before his employment in Brunswick, Austin was the assistant superintendent for School Union 74 in Damariscotta.
He has degrees from the University of Maine at Farmington, the University of Southern Maine and the University of Maine. This fall, he is on track to finish a doctoral program in public policy and educational leadership through the Muskie Center at the University of Southern Maine. According to the media release, he’s “excited to return to the RSU 3 region, where his family has roots.”
He was the unanimous choice of a 15-person search committee that was made up of community members, teachers, administrators, parents and students. The RSU 3 board of directors elected him during its regular meeting on Monday, June 8.
“We feel as though this process, although long, was extremely thorough and well worth the wait,” Board Chair Myrick Cross said. “We are confident in his leadership and excited for the future of RSU 3.”