The words “grace under fire” popped up during a retirement party for Shannon Welsh, who will retire at the end of the month as the only superintendent in the five-year history of Regional School Unit 5.

The affable Welsh, who announced her retirement this past winter, has endured a sometimes contentious process as Freeport explores withdrawal from RSU 5. Yet she wears a smile, and represents her school unit with, well, grace.

“The role of a superintendent is very challenging,” Welsh said as dozens of her colleagues gathered around her to wish her well in retirement, on June 10 at the Old Town Hall Meeting Place. “If you remain calm and bring people together during difficult times, you can accomplish more.”

Welsh was familiar with the territory well before she became RSU 5 superintendent. She was superintendent of the old School Union 30 of Lisbon, which included Durham, for nine years, so Welsh has been a superintendent for Durham schools the past 14 years.

Nelson Larkins, chairman of the RSU 5 Board of Directors, recalled the circumstances when RSU 5 was formed.

“Durham representatives could not say better things about her,” Larkins said. “For me, she has just committed her life to this. It was always the school first.”

Welsh said as much, noting that the educational opportunities for students at Freeport High School were enhanced with Durham and Pownal students were added into the mix.

“I always take the most pride in the programming we provided at the high school,” she said, “especially with the increase in the students.”

Welsh called her retirement a “bittersweet” experience. The Portland resident will do some traveling with family in July, and then take a trip to Ireland come autumn.

“I’m very excited about three weeks from today,” Welsh said, referring to her last day on the job.

Ginny McManus, in her 18th year as assistant to the superintendent, had another take on that.

“I don’t think she’s leaving,” McManus joked. “I haven’t come to terms with it yet.”

Copy the Story Link