AOS 93 Supt. Robert Bouchard has been named Maine’s 2011 Superintendent of the Year.
Bouchard was selected by a committee of his colleagues, including former Superintendent of the Year recipients, Maine School Superintendents Association officers, and presidents of Maine’s superintendent regions.
He was nominated by former Superintendent of the Year, Eileen King, Superintendent of neighboring school district AOS 98 in Boothbay-Harbor, who praised his integrity and dedication to youth and the communities he serves.
“Bob should be considered a mentor for all superintendents. His clear vision about what effective schools look like, his belief in the worth and capacity of all children, and his personal humility are part of his leadership skills that create and sustain an urgency for improving student performance,” King said.
Bouchard received the award Oct. 20 at the Maine School Superintendents Association’s annual meeting in Augusta, and said it is an honor that has to be shared.
“I feel particularly honored to be recognized by my peers, but I also think it is a reflection of the quality, dedication and support of the people with whom I work every day,” Bouchard said.
Bouchard started his administrative career as an assistant principal and then principal in Medway. He was then named superintendent of Union 113 that includes Medway, East Millinocket and Woodville. He was named superintendent of Union 74 and Great Salt Bay CSD in 2001 and led that district through the process of forming AOS 93 in 2009.
AOS 93 serves the towns of Bremen, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Bristol, Nobleboro, South Bristol and Jefferson.
Bouchard talked about the privilege of working with good people in his district.
“I enjoy working with people who are enthusiastic and committed to providing an excellent education to our children,” he said. “I am not only referring to our staff members. It extends to the people of all the communities we serve.”
“The most rewarding thing, of course, is seeing young people enter the larger world as productive citizens,” he said.
Bouchard said his greatest challenge right now is the economy.
“The most challenging thing for me today is improving the quality of education in the face of ever shrinking resources, with the stark reality that many of the families we serve and on whom we depend for revenue are struggling in a difficult economy,” he said.
Parker Renelt, chairman of AOS 93 School Board and the local Bremen School Committee, praised Bouchard in a letter of support for his nomination.
“Bob is a very special person. He listens, considers all sides of an issue and makes the right decision,” Renelt said. “He is fair, firm and compassionate and results oriented.”
The Lincoln County News editor Sherwood Olin also wrote a letter of recommendation, saying, “Professionals like Bob Bouchard are the exact reason honors such as Superintendent of the Year were created.”
Asked what he would say to those considering a career in school administration, Bouchard gave this advice:
“Surround yourself with talented people, who will critique you and make your work harder. I remind myself that when I played tennis, I never improved unless I played someone who was better than I was.”
