CAMDEN — When the Five Town CSD convenes Feb. 4, board members will consider appointing Leigh Anne Neal as its new superintendent, effective July 2026. The regularly scheduled meeting's agenda also includes a possible executive session to discuss a contract with Neal.

The pending appointment follows the announcement made last August by current Superintendent Maria Libby that she would be retiring from her current leadership position of the Five Town CSD (Camden Hills Regional High School) and School Administrative District 28 (Camden-Rockport K-8). The CSD comprises the towns of Appleton, Camden, Hope, Lincolnville and Rockport.

At the same meeting, to be held at Rose Hall at the Knowlton Street campus in Camden, there will be a presentation of the 2027 district budget.

Five Town CSD Board Chair Marcus Mrowka provided the following biography of Neal and said more information would be provided at the Feb. 4 meeting.

The biography follows:

"Dr. Leigh Anne Neal is a visionary leader with more than 30 years of experience as an educator. Currently serving as the Chief of Strategic Initiatives for the Shawnee Mission School District, she began her career as a special education and elementary classroom teacher. Throughout her tenure—spanning 26 years in district leadership and six years at the building level—Dr. Neal has championed innovation, early childhood education, and real-world learning to ensure students have the foundation necessary for lifelong success.

"Known for a collaborative approach, Dr. Neal excels in strategic planning, communications, and community engagement. While her career is anchored in the belief that every decision must center on the needs of students, her expertise extends well beyond the classroom. She has successfully overseen critical operational areas—including sustainability initiatives, telecommunications, and wide-area technology infrastructure—providing her with a systems-focused lens and a holistic understanding of complex district needs.

"An award-winning communicator and educator, she has been recognized by the National School Public Relations Association and received the Clyde U. Phillips Award for Distinguished Service. Dr. Neal holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Baker University, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University, and Bachelor’s degrees from Southern Methodist University and Avila University.

"Dr. Neal is dedicated to advancing a culture of academic excellence and personalized learning that prepares every student for the challenges of the future."

Neal has a website.

Full agenda

Five Town CSD

Regular School Board Meeting

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

7:00 P.M.

AGENDA

POSITION EMPLOYEE POINTS BONUS AMOUNT

Amnesty International Suzanne Aldridge-Peacock 1.5 0% $136.26

Spring Play Director Drew Albert 24 0% $2,180.16

Spring Play Tech Director Kailey Smith 23 0% $2,089.32

1. Call to Order

2. Adjustments to the Agenda

3. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda

4. Minutes

a. Approval of the January 7, 2026, Regular School Board Meeting Draft Minutes.

b. Approval of the January 7, 2026, Special School Board Meeting Draft Minutes

c. Approval of the January 9, 2026, Emergency Joint School Board Meeting Draft

Minutes

d. Approval of the January 12, 2026, Emergency Joint School Board Meeting Draft

Minutes

e. Approval of the January 29, 2026 Special Joint Board Meeting Draft Minutes

5. Student Recognition

a. a. Scholastic Art Gold Key Awards, invited to exhibit their works at the Scholastic

Scholastic Art Gold Key Awards, invited to exhibit their works at the Scholastic

Art exhibit at Maine College of Art & Design in Portland during February

Art exhibit at Maine College of Art & Design in Portland during February

i. Py (Ravita) Nakjaoren

ii. Chloe Egan

6. Consideration of Leigh Anne Neal as New Superintendent starting July 1, 2026, Possible

Executive Session pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405(6) (A) to discuss a contract.

7. Stipend Nominations

8. Possible Approval of Proposed Scholarship

a. Dale Hueppchen Scholarship Fund

9. Possible Approval for Requested Travel

a. Jazz Band to University of New Hampshire, March 13-14

10. CHRHS Phone-free Update – Cooper Marshall

11. Possible Approval of 2026-27 School Calendar

12.FY27 Proposed Budget Presentation

13.Student Representative Report

a.Seren Landfair, shadowing of Secretary of State Shenna Bellows

14.Board Chair’s Report

a.Winter Board Retreat recap

15.Superintendent’s Report

a.Immigration Preparation Update

16.Administrative Reports

a.Jaime Stone, Assistant Superintendent

b.Jess Yates, Special Education Director

c.Jen Curtis, CHRHS Principal

17.Standing Committee Reports

a.Finance – Met January 7, minutes attached. Meets before the School Board meeting on February 4, 2026.

i.Finance Update – Finance Committee Chair

b.c.Joint Personnel – Has not met.

Joint Policy – Met December 16, amended minutes included in packet.

Second Reads

DFA Revenue from Investments

JFABD Admission of Homeless Students Procedure

JFABD-R-R Admission of Homeless Students Procedure

JFC Dropout Prevention

JICK Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention in Schools

JIH Questioning and Searches of Students

JIH-R Questioning and Searches of Students – Administrative Procedure

JJE Fundraising

18.Board Advisory Committee Reports

a.MCST

19.Future Agenda Items

a.Counselling Supports

b.Midyear Strategic Plan Update - March

c.Substance Abuse Prevention Efforts – Early Spring

d.Post-Secondary planning Update – Spring

e.Community as a Learning Lab Highlights from the Year – Late Spring

20.Adjourn