SAD 29 hires Minzy as new administrator

16 years ago

By Ben Austin
Staff Writer

    HOULTON — SAD 29 officially hired former SAD 70 administrator, David Minzy, at a special board meeting just days before school went in last week, leaving SAD 70 down two administrative positions to start the school year.
    Minzy, currently of Fort Kent, worked in Hodgdon for four years before signing on to be the vice principal at Houlton High School, taking over for Michael Kenney, who also served four years at Houlton High.
    “I know that Mr. Minzy has a great reputation of engaging with kids in a respectful, understanding, and fair way and I think that Mr. Kenney so represented us as well in that way. I see not a contrast in that situation, but I see likeness. I think that every individual that engages in that position brings their own personal traits and own their own personality,” stated SAD 29 Superintendent Steve Fitzpatrick.
    Minzy said that he saw an opportunity to work as administration at Houlton as a career step, and a way to secure his job for the future.
    “The numbers are diminishing in Hodgdon, as far as that goes. [I] don’t’ know how many years down the road they’re going to continue to need all the positions they have over there, and seeing the opportunity here come up it was very intriguing to come to a bigger … high school, as far as what it has to offer for  numbers and all the different aspects of the school,” explained Minzy.
    Houlton’s new vice principal also stated that he believes one of his biggest transitions in the move from Hodgdon to Houlton will be the number of students he deals with each day.
    “The job descriptions are almost identical. There are a few differences, but as far as conformability-wise and me being able to step in and do the assistant principal job here, I feel that I have been doing that for several years now. The transition won’t be so much in that part, it will be as far as the numbers and largeness of the school,” stated Minzy.
    In Minzy’s contract with Hodgdon, it is stated that he must give a 45-day notice before leaving the school. Because of the relatively late decision by Houlton, due to the fact that they went through the advertising process twice, Minzy will be held to serving some of these days at Hodgdon during the beginning of the school year.
    “I have to give them a 45-day notice and it’s been about two weeks. I would think within 30 days I would be able to be here completely full time,” said Minzy in an interview last Thursday.
    Minzy, who currently holds residence in Fort Kent, plans to permanently relocate both he and his wife to the Houlton area as soon as he can.
    “Commuting is not fun right now, and it’s not very wise. I am staying down on a regular basis and my wife will be looking for a job over here … and then we can move down here,” said Minzy.
    Minzy’s  decision to change districts now has Hodgdon shy two administration positions from last year, as Minzy played both the role of Dean of Students, as well as Athletic Director, while at Hodgdon.
    “He’s made that career change and I am happy for him,” stated SAD 70 Superintendent Robert McDaniel last week.