BIDDEFORD – Westbrook School Department Director of Operations Jeremy Ray will be leaving the district in July to become the Biddeford school superintendent.

Ray, who was appointed by the Biddeford School Committee on May 31, is replacing Sarah-Jane Poli, who has served as the head of the Biddeford Schools for the past eight years.

Ray was hired under a three-year contract with an annual salary of $118,000.

“I couldn’t ask for a better place to work,” Ray said, noting that Biddeford and Westbrook have a similar school demographic, and both have a “small town commitment feel.”

Westbrook School Superintendent Marc Gousse said that he had a “thoroughly mixed” reaction to Ray’s departure.

“I’m thrilled for Jeremy. He’s worked hard to earn this position,” Gousse said. “(But) Westbrook is losing a great resource.”

Gousse said that Westbrook has already begun soliciting applications for Ray’s replacement, with the hope of filling the position by July. He said he had no doubts that Ray will be an asset to the Biddeford schools.

“Jeremy is ready to be a superintendent and he’ll do a great job,” he said. “Biddeford is lucky to get him.”

Ray said he is excited about his new position, and Biddeford Mayor and School Committee Chairman Alan Casavant said the unanimous decision to hire Ray was “a great move for Biddeford.”

Ray served as principal of Westbrook’s Canal School for seven years before taking the newly created post of director of operations last August.

When he takes over in Biddeford on July 1, Ray said his first task would be to “get to know the place.”

Ray’s previous experience with school budgeting with help him in his new role, he noted, as well as his background in working with challenging schools, and “bringing the community together.”

Biddeford’s community is involved in the local schools, Ray said, and he hopes to ensure that remains the case.

“I want to be able to keep the good things going” that Poli and others have established in the Biddeford school district, Ray added.

Casavant said that Ray’s “intellect and energy” would offset any concern over the fact that he is a first-time superintendent.

Reporter Mike Higgins contributed to this story.

Westbrook School Department Director of Operations Jeremy Ray is the new superintendent of Biddeford schools. (Staff photo by Lucy Sommo)