HODGDON, Maine — One month after he officially retired, Scott Richardson has been rehired to a one-year contract as SAD 70’s superintendent and special education director.
SAD 70 Superintendent Scott Richardson (contributed photo)
Richardson retired at the end of the 20117-18 school year, but expressed interest back in June of returning for one more year. By state law, a teacher or administrator is allowed to retire in the Maine State Retirement system and be re-hired for the same position, provided 30 days have gone by.
During the month of July, SAD 70 is using the services of William Dobbins as an interim superintendent.
The SAD 70 board approved Richardson’s hiring Monday evening, but the move did not come unanimously, nor without some discussion. Richardson’s contract was approved 9-3, with board members David Harris, Gordon Ledger and Ron Silliboy opposed.
“Scott only wanted a one-year contract as he plans to be in Florida after that,” said board chairman Joel Oliver.
Richardson did not attend Monday night’s meeting.
Board member Ed McGillicuddy asked how soon the district would start the process of finding a more permanent solution.
“I don’t want us to be sitting here in May without someone in place for the next year (2019-20),” he said.
Oliver said the board would start the search for a new superintendent/special education director in October or November. If a suitable candidate can not be found, the district would entertain splitting up the position.
“Maybe we might have to go with a part-time superintendent and full-time special ed director,” Oliver said. “We have been very fortunate for the last four years to have someone like that (doing both positions). Before we do any advertising, we need to have a board consensus for how to proceed.”
Ledger asked if there was anything written into the one-year contract that would allow the district to opt out should they find a suitable candidate. Oliver said in his opinion it was “highly unlikely” that the district would locate a candidate in the middle of a school year, at least not one with any experience in the position, as they would likely have to finish out a school year with whatever district they were employed with.
As part of the agreement, Richardson will receive a salary of $78,103, which represents 75 percent of the amount he was previously making. The district will save roughly $31,800 by employing Richardson for one year based on his previous salary.
