STACYVILLE, Maine — The area school district must once again begin the process of finding a superintendent following Monday’s announcement that interim Superintendent Mike Hammer is leaving RSU 50.
Hammer, who previously had expressed his interest in becoming the district’s full-time superintendent, announced his decision to resign during Monday night’s monthly board meeting.
During the meeting, Hammer stated he was leaving to take the superintendent’s job in RSU 19 in the Newport area.
“It was a very difficult decision for me, and if anyone knows me, my intent has always been to get closer to home,” he said. “I really appreciated what you have offered me here. I think it has worked out great for both of us. You presented some very interesting challenges, but you as a board have come together.”
The Newport area is about 45 minutes from Hammer’s home and family in Ellsworth, as opposed to the two-plus-hour drive Hammer has been making to Stacyville. RSU 19 serves the towns of Corinna, Dixmont, Etna, Hartland, Newport, Palmyra, Plymouth and Saint Albans.
RSU 50 serves 12 communities: Crystal, Dyer Brook, Hersey, Island Falls, Merrill, Moro Plantation, Mount Chase, Oakfield, Patten, Sherman, Smyrna and Stacyville.
Hammer came to RSU 50 in July 2015 after serving as the superintendent in neighboring RSU 29 in the Houlton area for four years. He took over for Larry Malone, who was the RSU 50 superintendent for three years.
The district has been seeking a full-time superintendent for the past year. Hammer’s last day with the district will be June 30. A search committee for RSU 50 will meet Wednesday, April 20, to discuss the next steps.
The school system will have to find another interim superintendent if a suitable candidate is not found between now and July 1.