Jefferson Village School Principal Peter Gallace will leave the school at the end of the school year to take a position as curriculum coordinator with the Mid-Coast School of Technology in Rockland. (Alexander Violo photo)
Jefferson Village School Principal Peter Gallace told the Jefferson School Committee he has accepted another position during the committee’s meeting Monday, June 6.
Gallace started at the school in 2005 and has worked in a variety of roles, from his current job as principal to assistant principal and a teacher of grades one through four.
He submitted his resignation effective Thursday, June 30. He told the committee he has decided to take the position of curriculum coordinator at the Mid-Coast School of Technology in Rockland.
During the committee meeting, Gallace read a statement about his time at JVS.
“I’ve had the privilege to work here at Jefferson Village School for the past 11 years,” Gallace said.
The outgoing principal said he would look back at his time in Jefferson fondly.
“I certainly have enjoyed working here. There are some amazing educators and administrators to work with here in this district. I am really grateful for all that I have learned from the students as well as adults,” Gallace said.
The principal said a lot of thought went into the decision and he believes it is the right fit.
“I am excited to grow as an educational leader,” Gallace said.
He said he is looking forward to the challenge of transitioning to career and technical education.
“It’s really a new facet of my career, not totally different, but it’s high school level, it’s career and technical teaching, so there’s a lot to learn, but I’m really interested in that area, having grown up doing a lot of that work. I grew up doing plumbing, heating, and electrical work through my father’s business in Waldoboro,” Gallace said.
Gallace said he would finish the school year in Jefferson before moving to his new position in Rockland.
“Obviously I’m going to finish the school year here and I certainly will miss the relationships I’ve had here with the students, staff, and the community. JVS is a great school and I have a lot of fond memories here and I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of this experience. I wish all the best to the students and staff at Jefferson Village School,” Gallace said.
School committee Chair Al Vorhis thanked Gallace.
“We wish you well and all the best too,” Vorhis said.
Search committee
Superintendent Steve Bailey said efforts to find Gallace’s replacement would begin as soon as possible.
“Hopefully, we get a good pool of applicants for the position,” Bailey said.
Bailey said he is optimistic that prospective candidates will submit applications for the opening in the next two to three weeks.
As part of the process, Bailey said a a committee would review applicants’ qualifications and look for the desired criteria for the school’s next principal.
“Prior to interviewing the candidates, we will identify questions we want to ask them,” Bailey said.
Bailey said around nine committee members would provide effective balance, incorporating two members of the school committee, in addition to teachers, residents, and parents.
He said he is looking to make substantial progress on finding the school’s next principal in the coming weeks.
“We hope to be ready to go and have a name to bring to the committee by the middle of July,” Bailey said.
