Schneider named superintendent
HOULTON, Maine — RSU 29 will soon have a new leader to guide the district into the future.
Ellen Schneider was unanimously selected Monday evening as the new superintendent. She replaces Mike Hammer, who announced his resignation in January after three and a half years with the district. Schneider was not present for Monday night’s board meeting. Her first day under contract will be July 1.
A native of Presque Isle, Schneider has been in education for the past 28 years. She has served as the Wells-Ogunquit superintendent for the past two years.
“I am very excited for this opportunity,” Schneider said when contacted by the Houlton Pioneer Times on Monday. “I have always been impressed by the strong support the communities give their school system, the district’s exceptional music and athletic programs and the dedication and commitment given by the top-notch educators, faculty and staff to the students within RSU 29. The district has always had a strong reputation throughout the County and the state and I am honored to be selected to lead RSU 29.
“This County girl is happy to be returning to the County,” she added.
Prior to her position in Wells, Schneider worked 26 years for SAD 1. She started as an elementary special education teacher. Other roles during her tenure in that district included assistant principal, special education director, curriculum director and assistant superintendent. In addition, through service agreements SAD 1 held with neighboring districts, she worked as part-time principal and assistant superintendent in Bridgewater and was the curriculum director in Ashland.
Schneider was selected from a pool of 11 candidates for the position.
“We were really looking for someone with experience and she comes to us with direct superintendent experience from Wells-Ogunquit,” said board chairman Fred Grant. “She also has a lot of experience in other areas, which was very important for us. We are really excited that she is a County native who is interested in a long-term position with us here in the district.”
Schneider was hired at a salary of $105,000. Hammer’s salary was $95,410. She is no relation to the district’s transportation/maintenance director Joe Schneider.
