PARIS — As Maine School Administrative District 17 prepares to open the 2025-26 academic year next week, Superintendent Heather Manchester reported to the school board this month that most open positions for regular instruction have been filled.
One opening, she told the board Aug. 4, is adding a new teacher to Hebron Station School that will be funded from the district’s contingency fund. The board approved her request at its Aug. 18 business meeting.
“Enrollment at Hebron is increased and will require us to hire a new teacher,” Manchester said. “We currently have one class with eight or nine students and two surrounding classes have 18 and 15, which is not a great fit for multi-age. We can’t do a first and second grade (combined) class for more than 25 students.”
Other educator positions being advertised are a sixth grade, teacher and music teacher and for a math coach.
She later told the Advertiser Democrat there were 15 ed tech positions open, all of them special ed-related. According to SAD 17’s Aug. 18 meeting agenda, six ed techs have since been appointed, including in day treatment and life skills programs.
There are 10 special ed teacher vacancies, including the newly created autism teacher position that was approved in this year’s school district budget. Other open student services positions include: one social worker, one speech pathologist, and one occupational therapist.
Transportation Director Chuck Beardsley has reported all regular bus routes have been covered by SAD 17 employees, meaning that to start the school year there is no need for outsourced bussing service.
Substitute bus drivers are still urgently needed, but Beardsley has two on board who are fully licensed. Another licensed sub driver has been hired and is being onboarded, and another employee is going through training to be certified.
SAD 17 is currently advertising for a lead head mechanic as well, as the department’s previous lead resigned over the summer.
Other support positions are posted on the district’s website, including in food service and sports coaches.
Guy E. Rowe Elementary School in Norway is hiring for a new assistant assistant principal, after Kim Desjardins transferred to the same position at Paris Elementary School.
