Jeremy Ray Courtesy Photo
SACO — Superintendent of Saco public schools Jeremy Ray is set to continue in his position for the next three years, pending approval by both the Biddeford School Committee and the Maine Department of Education.
The Saco School Board voted 6-1 on Feb. 9 to engage Ray and the Southern Maine Administrative Collaborative, approving the interlocal agreement with Biddeford and Dayton.
The school department did not conduct a full search for candidates for the position.
“Despite the fact we aren’t going through a full search, I feel like we’ve already done a 9-month interview, and the proof is in the pudding, there really is no other way to put it — but stand-up job on everybody at SMAC,” said School Board member Sarah Truman. “To not move forward with this just seems foolish.”
Ray and SMAC were hired in mid-April 2021 for a short-term position, through the end of the school year June 30, 2021, upon the early departure of Superintendent Dominic DePatsy. In mid-June, the board hired Ray and the team for a one-year interim gig.
At the time he was hired in Saco, Ray was and continues to work as superintendent of schools for the Biddeford and Dayton school districts.
School Board Chair Kevin Lafortune said he was happy to move that the board approve the interlocal agreement to hire Ray and SMAC for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2025
“This is a culmination of many months of collaboration with our current leadership team as well as discussions with our counterparts across the river (in Biddeford) and in Dayton,” said Lafortune. “Everyone is happy about how this process is going and excited about the prospect of continuing it.”
The agreement comes with a 90-day termination clause, he said, “so if at some point any one of the parties decides it’s not working and would like to go their own way, (they) get to get out in 90 days.”
He said it was also critical that all three school districts understand the arrangement is an agreement to share services and are not merging into a single district.
“All three entities maintain their independence,” said Lafortune. “We all own our own buildings. This is not a consolidation but a sharing of services where it makes sense.”
“I think this arrangement has worked well for this district and I would certainly like to see it continue,” said School Board Member Beth Johnston.
School Board member William Gayle was the lone dissenter. He said his decision was not a reflection of the work that has been done, nor of the superintendent, or his team.
“Obviously this is one of the most important decisions we will make as a board and because of that, I’ve had strong concerns that we didn’t go through a full and open search for this permanent position,” Gayle said. “I want to be clear that I understand the benefits presented … and I really appreciate everyone’s point of view. … (This is) a reflection of my own view that the selection of a superintendent should be a process that involves the community, parents, teachers and staff, and shouldn’t be just by a school board alone.”
A memo outlined efficiencies and collaboration realized through the partnership so far. It noted there were nine joint leadership team meetings and three cost-shared training opportunities, among other attributes.
Savings are twofold, the memo noted — $40,000 in the salary for a shared superintendent and in savings realized when the purchasing power of multiple districts work together to yield decreased per unit spending in each district.
Shared nutrition services result in yearly savings of an estimated $33,000.
There has been streamlined cross-district support for homeless youth and a joint summer program for speakers of English as a second language, according to the document.
The Biddeford School Committee is expected to take a vote on the proposal soon, and the proposal must pass muster by the state education department.
School Board member Arthur Archie said he had not heard from the general public on the topic until recently, so he sought out people in his ward, asking for their thoughts.
“I was asking people in my ward what they wanted … a good solid number said this is the way we should be doing things,” he said.
School Board member Jennifer Preble said once the process is complete, the final agreement will be posted on the school department website.
“I’m thrilled with how things are going and I’m in support of continuing for another three years,” said Preble.
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