ROCKLAND, Maine — The principal of Oceanside High School East has submitted her resignation.
Renee Thompson is completing her second year as principal of the high school that serves Rockland, Thomaston, Owls Head, South Thomaston and Cushing.
Superintendent John McDonald confirmed the resignation Friday evening but said he had no other information. Thompson could not be reached for comment Friday evening.
In June 2015, 23 teachers signed a letter stating they were not able to work with Thompson. In their letter, the teachers claimed Thompson lacked clear communication skills and did not, in turn, accurately reflect the sentiments of the staff when she met with the district administration. The teachers stated in the letter that they needed a principal who values the input of faculty.
The superintendent voiced his complete support for Thompson after that letter was received saying she was an agent of change and that change could be uncomfortable for teachers.
Thompson was hired as principal of Oceanside East in July 2014, succeeding Principal Tom Forti. She had been principal of Ellsworth High School for the previous five years.
She championed the creation of different programs at Oceanside East including a fishermen’s academy in an effort to reduce the high school’s historically high dropout rate.