People associated with Mike Myers will miss his congenial manner and dedication to his job as director of Adult, Recreation & Community Education with Regional School Unit 5. Few can blame him, however, for taking a new opportunity that has presented itself.

Myers announced recently that he is leaving the position he’s held for three years to move to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. His wife, Candace, has accepted a teaching position at a private school there, and Myers has opportunities in mind. It was too much to pass up, Myers said.

“It was the right time in our lives to do this, and we’re excited about it,” Myers said. “We’ve been looking at living abroad for a while.”

RSU 5 has posted a job opening for Myers’ position, which is paying him $65,000. His last day on the job is Aug. 4.

Myers, 50, who lives in Freeport, said it was his charge to strengthen the adult education sector of the far-ranging department when he came he took the job in 2012.

“Our focus in the last couple of years has been to rebuild the adult education program, with more enrichment programs such as art and trips, plus the high school equivalency program,” he said.

In May, RSU 5 Adult, Recreation and Community Education brought back a graduation ceremony for people who passed the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET). About 40 people who passed HiSET in the past two years were invited to pick up their diplomas in the ceremony at the Freeport Community Center. Graduation ceremonies had ceased a couple of years ago due to dwindling interest in the program.

“The department is back on good, solid ground, so that’s a good thing,” Myers said.

The director of RSU 5 Adult, Recreation & Community Education also oversees a big recreation department that includes the Port Teen Center, an after-school gathering place for RSU 5 students. The director also is head of RSU 5 Laugh & Learn Childcare, the preschool and after-care program.

Myers also helped to obtain more funding for a college transitions program, and funding for adult laptop computer programs.

He also has been involved with the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce.

Through his work with the Port Teen Center, he often worked alongside Melanie Sachs, executive director of the Freeport Community Center.

“We worked closely on the camp scholarship program for at-risk kids,” Sachs said. “He really cares about kids and their enrichment.”

Sachs said that Myers works hard at his job, and is flexible regarding hours.

“He would come here after hours to work at the teen center,” she said. “It’s a great loss to the department.”

Myers said that his wife had announced her retirement as a teacher and head of the foreign languages department at Mount Ararat High School in Topsham, and then was offered the job in St. Thomas. Myers, meanwhile, has contacted the U.S. Virgin Islands School Department, but isn’t limiting his options. He and his wife have rented a condominium for the time being.

“I’m also looking at the charter boat/day sailing industry,” he said. “I’m going to keep my options open.”

The couple has two daughters – Sara, 21 and Alissa, 20 – who have apartments of their own in Brunswick.

“We’ll come back to Maine in June, July and August,” he said. “We have a cottage on Peaks Island.”

Myers, who grew up in Farmington, graduated from Mount Blue High School in 1983, then earned a degree in business administration/finance at the University of Maine. He held a career in banking until 1995, when he decided to change course, accepting a position running camps and programs for the Pine Tree Council, Boy Scouts of America. He was director of adult education for Merrymeeting Adult Education of Topsham prior to taking the job with RSU 5.

Mike Myers sits outside his office at Regional School Unit 5 Adult, Recreation and Community Education in Freeport. Myers is leaving his position as director on Aug. 4.Courtesy photo

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