LIMESTONE, Maine – The Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) Board of Trustees announced Aug. 7 that Executive Director Luke Shorty will depart at the end of the 2017-2018 school year as his wife, Lisa, finishes medical school and they prepare to start their next chapter.
“It is with gratitude and sincere best wishes that the Board of Trustees announces Luke Shorty’s departure as Executive Director of MSSM,” said Jason Judd, chair of the MSSM Board of Trustees. “
Judd said Shorty has worked tirelessly since 2011 to advance MSSM’s mission in Limestone and across the state. “With his boundless energy, he has raised awareness of the school and sparked new connections with new partners. In the last six years, Mr. Shorty has helped to increase MSSM’s enrollment, strengthen its finances, and make important investments in the development of distance education,” said Judd.
Luke Shorty (File photo/Christopher Bouchard)
Over the 2017-2018 school year, the Board of Trustees will conduct a national search for a new executive director. Within the next few weeks, the school will release more information on the search. Kate deLutio, vice chair of the Board of Trustees, is organizing a working group to establish a search committee and select a chair.
According to Judd, the board’s priority will be to conduct a successful search while maintaining both stability for MSSM’s students, faculty and staff, and the school’s positive momentum.
“Mr. Shorty has expressed these goals as well, and we appreciate his commitment to a smooth transition,” Judd said. “Again, we are deeply grateful for the dedication and energy Mr. Shorty has given to MSSM over the past six years. We wish him and Lisa all the best, and look forward to following the success of their careers.”
Shorty said he was both grateful and honored to have had the opportunity to serve in a leadership role for the school that has given him so much.
“The school is in a good place in terms of finances and enrollment and the school has some of the most amazing faculty and staff I have had the pleasure to work with in the state,” he said. “With the leadership of the MSSM Board of Trustees, the strong strategic plan work our community has done, and the dedication of the families and staff of MSSM, I am certain great things will continue to flourish for MSSM in the future.”
Shorty noted MSSM has accomplished a lot in the last six years.
“I am thankful to have had the opportunity to play a part in these accomplishments. I am honored to have worked with such an amazing group of young people and lead such an amazing group of faculty and staff,” he added. “I will always be an ally of MSSM and am excited to work with the board to ensure stability and positive momentum for the community as we move forward to the school’s next chapter.”
