Paul Butler, formerly the principal of Bangor High School, has been promoted to assistant superintendent of Bangor schools.
The Bangor School Committee unanimously approved Butler’s appointment at its Thursday night meeting.
The administrative switchup comes at a transitional moment for the school department, as the process to develop a new strategic plan is underway and aging school facilities push officials to decide whether to invest in preserving the neighborhood school system or consolidate schools.
Butler is replacing Kathy Harris-Smedberg, who spent about a decade in the role and served as interim superintendent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Harris-Smedberg is joining the neighboring school district RSU 22, which includes Hampden, Newburgh, Winterport and Frankfort, as assistant superintendent.
“I’ll be following a terrific leader in Dr. Harris-Smedberg, so the early emphasis will be on picking up the projects and initiatives that she’s framed for the year,” Butler said, adding that he’s excited by the breadth of his new position and the opportunity to connect in new ways with school staff he’s known for years.
One top priority will be working closely on revising the department’s strategic plan during a “critical period of planning and decision-making,” he said.
Interviews with candidates for the principal position are “well underway,” Superintendent Marie Robinson reported at Thursday’s meeting.
Bangor High School’s two assistant principals, Brian Doyle and Tim Reed, will oversee day-to-day operations until a new principal is hired, according to department spokesperson Ray Phinney.