![]() |
Photo courtesy of Lisa Wilcox Students are being greeted by new principals this fall at the Limestone Community and Caribou Middle schools as Susan White, former CMS principal, takes over at LCS and Leland Caron, moves from LCS to Caribou Middle School admistration. |
By Lisa Wilcox
Special to the Aroostook Republican
Students at Limestone Community School and Caribou Middle School will be greeted by a new face when they pass by the principal’s office this school year. A transfer in administration has transplanted Susan White, former principal of Caribou Middle School, to Limestone Community School, and Leland Caron, former principal of Limestone, to Caribou Middle School.
“The switch supports the career goals for both administrators and will be very beneficial to the school district,” said Eastern Aroostook RSU 39’s Superintendent Franklin McElwain, who was instrumental in initiating the change.
White and Caron have followed similar career paths. Both hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and taught for several years before becoming assistant principals and then principals of their schools. The administrators even coached varsity softball for different schools at the same time. A tandem interest in expanding their career was the major motivation behind the exchange.
White, originally from Caribou, is currently working on acquiring her certificate of advanced study in educational leadership, prompting her desire to gain experience as an administrator to elementary and high school students. At the same time, Caron, a Washburn native with 13 years’ experience teaching at mid-level, had his own goal of becoming the principal of a middle school. Superintendent McElwain became aware of his employees’ objectives and recognized the mutual benefits of a school swap. After discussion with White and Caron, the transfer was presented to RSU 39’s Board and approved.
“It’s ideal,” White said of the opportunity.
The move does not come without challenges, however. White began her new position with Limestone on Monday, Aug. 20th. The exchange with Caron was only approved on Aug. 1, leaving her little time to prepare for her new venture.
“But I’ve never felt so welcomed,” she boasts of her new staff. “They face the many struggles that small schools face and they just keep at it. They are nice, nice people.”
Caron meets his new staff on Sept. 4th.
“My biggest challenge is training my mind to just focus on the three grades,” Caron stated, “but I am anxious to get to know my staff, students, parents and the community.”
Caron and White both expressed their deep appreciation to their former schools and admitted they will definitely miss them; however, they are thankful for the advancement in their career goals without having to go outside of the school district.
“We can help each other,” they both agreed.
“When you pick up the phone, it’s the same person on the other end,” White added.
The administrators both continue to remain residents of their hometowns of Caribou and Washburn.