FREEPORT
Regional School Unit 5 will be welcoming a new superintendent. As of July 1, Becky Foley will be taking charge of the district that encompasses Freeport, Durham and Pownal.
Foley is taking over for outgoing Superintendent Edward McDonough, who is departing after only a year on the job.
RSU 5 Board Chairwoman Michelle Ritcheson said Mc- Donough cited personal reasons for his departure.
Ritcheson said McDonough’s departure had nothing to do with either the district or the push by some for Durham to withdraw from the district. She said the potential departure failed to garner enough votes in April — long before McDonough made his decision to leave.
“(McDonough) did a very nice job this year and we’re looking to continue a lot of the things that he started this year,” Ritcheson said, adding that Foley intends to carry forward much of McDonough’s work as she settles in.
Ritcheson said she’s excited to have Foley on board, saying she’s a strong educator and strong on curriculum — something she said is very important to the district in continuing to advance student achievement.
Foley’s experience in Maine School Administrative District 52 as assistant superintendent will help her out as well. Ritcheson said Foley’s work in Turner, Leeds and Greene has well prepared her for the three-town dynamic.
Most recently, Foley was the chief academic officer for the Portland district.
“She recently comes from Portland — if you can make heads or tails of the Portland district with 17 schools, we should be a breeze,” Ritcheson said.
According to a district press release announcing Foley’s appointment, Foley holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from the University of Maine at Farmington as well as a master of science degree in educational administration from the University of Southern Maine. Foley also earned a doctor of philosophy degree in public policy from USM.
The school board received 19 applications for the position and interviewed four, selecting two finalists. After eight focus group meetings with RSU 5 stakeholders and receiving input from teachers and administrators, the board chose Foley on May 25.
dmcintire@timesrecord.com
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