By Robert Lowell

[email protected]

The top candidate for Gorham’s school superintendent job was the subject of a public forum last week in the town’s middle school.

Dennis Libby, chairman of Gorham School Committee, introduced Heather Perry Jan. 21 as the search committee’s top choice in a search to succeed Ted Sharp, who retires at the end of June after 11 years.

Libby told a gathering of parents, citizens, teachers and school officials, who turned out at Gorham Middle School to meet Perry, about the search process. The panel received 17 applications.

“Heather stood out,” Libby said. “We have one finalist.”

The full Gorham School Committee is expected to take action at its meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, on whether to hire Perry.

Perry, 41, is now superintendent at Regional School Unit 3, headquartered in Unity, a district with about 1,500 students. She previously was superintendent in Union 60 in Greenville, School Administrative District 12 in Jackman/Moose River and the West Forks Municipal School Unit.

Perry, who grew up in Machiasport in Washington County, said she’s been patiently looking for an opportunity in southern Maine.

“I’m impressed with pride of the (Gorham) school system and the community,” said Perry, who was interviewed by Libby.

She described her leadership style as collaborative and said her approach to problem solving is to first listen and understand.

“I’m short but I don’t have a Napoleon complex,” Perry said.

When asked about the role of a superintendent, Perry said she is employed by the school board.

“My role as a superintendent is to carry out policies,” she said.

Perry spoke of her experiences building budgets, and said as a superintendent she is a cheerleader.

Perry fielded a variety of questions from the audience that included her views on formulating budgets, special education, and even the Pledge of Allegiance, which was a past issue in Gorham.

Alan Reed of VFW Post 10879 asked about her personal view of the pledge and Perry, who said her father is a Vietnam War veteran, replied that she recites the pledge daily.

Kim Meggison, a Gorham fourth-grade teacher, asked Perry about her experience working with teachers. Perry responded that she’s visible in schools.

“I will go into teacher rooms,” Perry said.

Perry, responding to a question from resident Rusty Atwood, said she believes in hiring the best qualified people as teachers.

For personal information, she said she’s married and has an 18-year old daughter, who is a freshman at the University of Maine in Augusta.

Stephen King is Perry’s favorite author and said she “supports the arts” and enjoys sports. She played basketball in college.

“I love athletics,” she said and voiced a “Go Patriots” cheer, as the New England football team prepared for Sunday’s Super Bowl.

Gorham’s superintendent finalist, Heather Perry, last week appears in a public forum led by Dennis Libby, chairman of the Gorham School Committee. Perry could be named on Wednesday, Feb. 11, by the Gorham School Committee to succeed Superintendent Ted Sharp, who retires in June. Staff photo by Robert Lowell