On Aug. 27, the school boards of the Five Town CSD (Camden Hills Regional High School) and School Administrative District 38 (Camden-Rockport K-8) together announced that their superintendent, Maria Libby, will retire at the end of the 2026 school year.

CSD Board Chair Marcus Mrowka and SAD 28 Chair Brieanna Gutierrez made the announcement just after Libby told teachers and staff at an opening day gathering. School starts next week, but teachers and staff are back in the classrooms and buildings, getting ready for the first day of school, Sept. 2. (Freshmen have orientation on Aug. 28 but all other students have a long Labor Day weekend before school begins.)

"With today's announcement regarding Superintendent Maria Libby's forthcoming retirement, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank Maria from the bottom of our hearts for her inspiring leadership and commitment to the students, educators, families, and citizens of our districts," the two board chairs said, in a joint statement.

They continued:

"To say that Maria is an innovative and visionary leader doesn't come close to describing the full impact she has had on our schools and the caliber of educational opportunities our students receive.

"Over the course Maria's tenure as Superintendent, she has worked with the Board, staff, and the community to:

• expand outdoor learning (including launching an innovative nature-based pre-K program);

• increase opportunities for hands-on project-based learning at all grade levels, create a dynamic innovation center and makerspace at the high school;

• lead construction of both our new middle school and Rose Hall, expand sustainability efforts, successfully navigated our District through the pandemic;

• lead the state and nation in tackling the influence of smart phones; and so, so much more.

"What is most remarkable about Maria is that she has done all of this while also successfully overseeing the daily operations of our schools, managing school budgets, staying on top of the needs of our schools so they are safe and welcoming spaces for educators and students.

"Maria has always been guided by what is best for kids, and that shines through in every decision she makes.

"Our District has benefitted from the depth of Maria's passion for our schools. It is not always the case that school districts have the benefit of a Superintendent who is a resident, but in Maria's case she not only lives here, she attended and graduated from our schools, has lived in Camden for most of her life, and has had the experience of having family members (including her own children) come up through our schools.

"Maria's deep passion not only for education but for our community has been at the heart of her work through all her roles from teacher to principal to Superintendent.

"She is leaving a school system that is better and stronger in innumerable ways. We look forward to finding opportunities to celebrate her leadership and all of the things that make our school community a unique and special place over the upcoming academic year. 

“In the coming months the School Board will be undertaking a search for a new Superintendent ahead of the 2026-27 school year. We look forward to engaging with stakeholders as we search for the right candidate to carry forward the incredible legacy Maria leaves behind."