Staffing changes on tap in SAD 29

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — A principal change is underway in SAD 29.
    Last month, Jason Tarr resigned from his position as Houlton Southside School principal effective Dec. 31, citing a desire to pursue ministry duties. His final day with students is Friday. He has served as Southside School principal for four years.
    That relatively abrupt resignation left administrators scrambling to find a replacement during the school year. According to Superintendent Mike Hammer, SAD 29 has a policy that allows him to appoint a person currently employed by the district to fill an administrative position.
    Hammer selected Wellington Elementary School Principal Tiffany Karnes as Tarr’s replacement. Karnes is in her first year at Wellington school as principal/third-grade teacher, following the retirement of Nancy Wright at the end of the 2010-11 school year.
    Cindy Peterson will replace Karnes at Wellington Elementary School.
    Hammer said he will still have to present their names to the school board to be officially approved at a special board meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 4. The district is closed for Christmas vacation Dec. 26-Jan. 2.
    “As I have mentioned to a few people, hiring administrators doesn’t usually happen this way, but with the district just having gone through the process to hire Tiffany and having Cindy being a known commodity, so to speak, I feel that both were a great fit for the district,” Hammer said.
    Peterson has been in the district since about 2004, Hammer said. She currently teaches fourth grade at Houlton Southside School.
    “She started teaching in Bridgewater when they had a school,” Hammer said. “She held a fourth-grade position at Wellington before heading to Southside. She has been an acting principal when the principal is out for about four years, including at the present time. She is presently teaching fourth-grade math and science. She is in the process of completing her degree and is familiar with the community of Wellington and our present district initiatives.”
    Exactly who will take over Peterson’s teaching duties at Houlton Southside School remains to be determined, Hammer said.
    “I am going to work with Tiffany, Jason and Cindy to see what is the best option for the replacement of Mrs. Peterson,” he said.