Paul Penna

Bonny Eagle High School Principal Paul Penna was appointed interim superintendent at School Administrative District 6, the district announced Monday.

Penna was selected from a field of nine applicants. 

“I am proud to represent and lead this school community,” Penna said Wednesday in an email response for comment.

He succeeds Michael “Mick” Roy,  assistant superintendent, as interim superintendent following the resignation of  Superintendent Frank Sherburne in May. Sherburne left amid a public controversy in a flap over nepotism involving the district hiring Sherburne’s son as an educational technician at Buxton Center Elementary School.

The school board previously said that Roy agreed to take the interim job only until the end of July.

The SAD-6 district includes Buxton, Frye Island, Hollis, Limington and Standish.

Lester Harmon of Hollis, school board chairman, did not return an email request for comment by the American Journal deadline Wednesday.

Penna’s appointment for the coming school year was effective immediately and now the SAD 6 school board needs to find an interim principal with the school start just a few weeks away.

“Mr. Penna and the board will take immediate steps to appoint an interim principal to Bonny Eagle High School. With school opening in just a few weeks, this will be a top priority,” the district announced in a press release from Hedy Smith, SAD 6 executive secretary.

The school board’s announcement said Penna is a highly respected member of the SAD 6 community. 

“During his tenure as the principal of Bonny Eagle High School, he has demonstrated a high level of energy, enthusiasm and passion for continuous improvement in the district,” the announcement said.   

The board believes Penna’s  appointment allows it “to maintain continuity in the implementation of the proficiency-based standards that will impact the graduating class of 2021.”

It described Penna as instrumental in preparing the “very important initiative.” 

Prior to joining SAD 6 in 2013,Penna was the principal at Gray-New Gloucester High School for 10 years. According to district information, Penna earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Southern Maine in 1985.  He completed a program of advanced study and educational leadership at the University of New England in 2014. 

“Mr. Penna’s appointment is a reflection of the board’s commitment to the future of SAD 6,” the announcement said. “He brings proven leadership, credibility within the community and relationships with students and teachers that will allow us to move beyond recent challenges.”

The board will “begin the process for appointing a permanent superintendent in September with the goal of having someone in place by July 2017,” the announcement said.

Paul Penna

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