To the editor:
The end of the 2017-2018 school year will be a sad one for anyone associated with Nobleboro Central School. The departure of Ann Hassett as principal will leave a huge hole in the school and, more importantly, in the lives of the children. It will be a great coup for AOS 93 to have her begin what I know will be a successful tenure as their curriculum coordinator.
A little over eight years ago, as member of the Nobleboro School Board, I was privileged to be a part of the principal search committee. The moment Ann began the interview process, it became clear to all of us on that committee that there was no other choice to fill this vital role.
Over the last eight years, Ann has had to not only serve as principal, but also wear the hats of maintenance supervisor, scheduling dynamo, kitchen equipment evaluator, groundskeeper, data analyst, social worker, and her ever-present morning greeter role!
Ann arrived at a time when NCS was in its infancy in using actual data (student progress, state and federal testing scores, class achievements) to guide decisions regarding curriculum and class time. Ann embraced the data, diving in and learning. She was not shy about stating the failures and areas needing improvement. She quickly made changes to the school day to help our students achieve more and become more proficient in the important areas of math, reading, and science, and she was successful in this. She was also able to remain supportive of the arts (an area that typically suffers when concentrating on the R’s).
Ann spent countless hours supporting the town selectmen, the school board, the superintendent, parents, teachers, and, most importantly, the students. Whether you agreed with every decision Ann made during her tenure, you always knew that her decision was made to improve the lives of children, even when it was unpopular with the other groups!
Ann has guided NCS during an interesting and sometimes scary time. Our society has seen the increase of social media, screen time, bullying/cyberbullying, school violence, increased drug usage, and the continuous demise of the nuclear family. All of these factors play a part of the everyday routine in our schools. I have been a firsthand witness to these things and know the toll it takes on our educators. I am so glad that “Mrs. Hassett” was there to help navigate that course.
My children and my family are beneficiaries of education led by Ann Hassett and we are better for it. I am proud to call Ann my friend and I know that even though NCS is losing a great principal, the school and the town will remain a better place because of her humble service.
Thomas Wriggins IV
Nobleboro and Naples, Fla.
