BELFAST - Turnover in Regional School Unit 20 was noticeably higher this year than in recent years, according to Superintendent Brian Carpenter. With school set to start next week, most, but not all the pieces have fallen into place.

Changes in district staffing included roughly 30 new hires, 35 resignations and 18 transfers within the district. 

Longtime Maintenance and Transportation Director Mitch Brown resigned earlier this month. The school board is seeking one, or possibly two people to replace Brown. The latter would require creating a new maintenance position in addition to the transportation director post. One board member noted that Brown had been able to fill both roles because he was resourceful in making repairs to the fleet.

Belfast Area High School Principal Stephen Fitzpatrick was rehired for another year. Fitzpatrick retired at the end of the last school year making him eligible for retirement benefits in addition to drawing a salary in the coming year. The practice is fairly common in Maine and often saves districts money because they can rehire the old staff member at a lower salary. Carpenter said this was the case Fitzpatrick and the district will benefit from a net savings.

Searsport District High School/Middle School has a new principal, Kent Hoffman, and a new assistant principal, John Williamson. Searsport Elementary School will be headed up this year by Interim Principal Terry Atwood, who is filling in during a one year leave of absence taken by Principal Linda Bowie. Hoffman, Williamson and Atwood are all new to the district.

In the RSU 20 Central Office, Assistant Superintendent John McDonald left in July to take a job as superintendent of the Rockland-area School District. Carpenter said a decision to hire someone for that position is on hold pending the outcome of the November withdrawal referendums in six towns. McDonald’s duties have been divided among current central office staff, he said.

A list of new teachers and those who retired or left the district this year was not immediately available.

Ethan Andrews can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com