BAR HARBOR — St. George MSU Superintendent Mike Felton was honored for his outstanding educational leadership and dedication to Maine’s children at the 2025 Maine Department of Education Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents on Monday, June 23.

Felton was selected by his peers for the prestigious honor. The award was presented in the final days of Felton’s leading St. George MSU as Superintendent. He took the helm of the district ten years ago, when it first became an independent school district. Felton is moving to a new role in the district as the St. George CTE/Makerspace Executive Director. 

The St. George MSU school board has hired Christina Wotton to take over for Felton as its new superintendent on July 1. Wotton was in attendance for the award presentation.

“This award illustrates how clearly Mike is admired by his peers," said Wotton. "His deep commitment to [the CTE/Makerspace] project and to the St. George community is truly remarkable."

St. George MSU School Board Chair Jennifer Garrett added that the district has appreciated Felton’s leadership during his 10 years as superintendent. 

“[Felton’s] endless energy, laser focus on students, and his refusal to be deterred by obstacles (and instead viewing them as opportunities for innovation) has made him unique,” said Garrett. “We are proud of him, not just for the big things like leading the effort to privately raise the funds for the first in the nation preK-8 CTE facility and program, but for being the kind of superintendent that students want to eat lunch with, challenge to a race during field day, or dress up like during spirit week.”

The conference was held at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel and Event Center in Bar Harbor, and it was themed “Leadership During a Dynamic Moment in Public Education.” 

As St. George MSU superintendent Felton has led the fundraising efforts, with community volunteers, to raise over $4.5 million in private donations; grants; contributions from over 30 business sponsors; and bipartisan support from Maine's Congressional Delegation. 

"The St. George Makerspace/CTE project will bring the trades, technology, and innovation back to the heart of public education and provide all students, grades PreK-8, with access to hands-on/ minds-on learning," said Kristin Falla.

The new St. George CTE/Makerspace and Connectivity Hub will celebrate its grand opening on August 14. The new building will include two shop areas for boatbuilding, woodworking, and metalwork; a Makerspace with 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, robotics, and sewing machines; and a flexible classroom space.

"The project is set to re-engage students in their learning through hands-on/ minds-on, technical learning connected to career and community, strengthen workforce development to ensure students have the academic, technical, and social-emotional skills to thrive in today's workforce and create the jobs and industries of the future; and support economic growth and support diversified and resilient local economy that supports a thriving year-round community," said Falla.