POLAND — School officials Thursday morning announced they hired J. Michael Wilhelm of Casco as interim superintendent beginning on Monday, March 5.

The hiring was prompted by the School Committee’s decision during an emergency meeting Monday to place Superintendent Dennis Duquette and Business Manager Rick Kusterin on leaves of absence.

School Committee Chairman Mary Ella Jones said she could not comment on the circumstances, because Duquette and Kusterin’s removals were personnel matters.

Jones said the board, following an emergency meeting Wednesday night, voted to enter an agreement with Wilhelm to serve as superintendent while the committee conducts a review of RSU management.

On Thursday, Jones said she could not comment on exactly what “a review of RSU management” might entail, and she had no idea what the time frame for it might be.

“For right now the important thing for people to know is that the schools are open and that work is continuing with budget discussions and planning,” Jones said.

Jones, noting that there are certain things only a superintendent can do – school boards have limited powers – said it was important the district have a superintendent as soon as possible.

“We contacted Maine School Management. Wilhelm retired just last spring. He doesn’t live far from here and he’s available. He has an incredible amount of experience,” Jones said.

In 1968, Wilhelm began his career as a teacher in Buckfield. Subsequently he was school principal in Buckfield and in Freeport. He became assistant superintendent in SAD 75 in Topsham in 1989 and, from 1992 to 2011, served as the district’s superintendent.

“We’ll be filling him in most of next week, getting him acquainted with what’s happening. The School Committee will be meeting on the twelfth as scheduled. The work of running our schools goes on, ” Jones said.