Dr. Paul Austin Selected as the Next Superintendent of Schools

Paul W. Austin Jr., Ph.D.SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Experienced and successful Superintendent of Schools with a steadfast commitment to student development, safety, and academic excellence.
• Exemplary leader focused on providing students with a rigorous and challenging education, along with the confidence, tools, and skills required to build and advance toward college, career, and life readiness.
• Visionary thinker in the development of policies and programs that challenge and motivate students toward lifelong achievements and enhance positive educational experiences.
• Fiscally responsible and collaborative decision-maker that promotes trust in order to deliver high quality educational services in an effective and efficient manner.

  EDUCATION

• Doctor of Philosophy, Public Policy/Educational LeadershipUniversity of Southern Maine, Dissertation Research: “An Examination of Response to Intervention Development and Implementation Relative to Best Practice”
• Certificate of Advance Study, Educational LeadershipUniversity of Maine at Orono
• Masters of Science, Education Specialist Level, School PsychologyUniversity of Southern Maine
• Bachelor of Arts, PsychologyUniversity of Maine at FarmingtonMAINE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CERTIFICATIONS010 -- Superintendent of Schools; 030 -- Special Education DirectorMASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATIONLicense #507872 Academic: Administrator Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Superintendent of Schools, Regional School Unit #3 (RSU #3), Unity, Maine (July, 2015 – Present)

As the current Superintendent of RSU #3, I am responsible for the operations of a PreK-12 district of approximately 1,300 students and a staff of over 250 professionals. With an annual budget in excess of $20 Million, RSU #3 is one of the largest geographic districts in the state of Maine, serving children from eleven towns, in rural Waldo County. As the leader of RSU #3, I work directly with our communities, parents, students, and faculty to support a rigorous and relevant academic program for all students, and I support and encourage students taking an active role in their own learning. In RSU #3, I am responsible for the development and oversight of the annual operating budget, and I am responsible for analyzing, developing, and implementing policies and procedures that support the mission and vision of the district. As the representative of the RSU #3 School Board, I am responsible for ensuring that our schools meet the needs of all students, and that our faculty and administration are well prepared to carry out their duties. To best meet the goals of the district, I work directly with the School Board Policy and Planning, Personnel, Student Services, Finance, and Facilities Committees. As the district leader, I am responsible for the operations of our facilities, and am currently working toward developing a long-range facilities plan that will address the needs of RSU #3 well into the future. To address the immediate needs of the district, I researched, negotiated, and planned for an energy performance project that commenced in July, 2016. In addition, the Maine Department of Education has recently awarded RSU #3 with more than $1.2 million in revolving renovation funds. These projects will result in heating and ventilations improvements to bring energy savings to the district, as well as improving safety and accessibility in our outlying schools.

Educational Administration

Director of Student Services, Brunswick School Department, Brunswick, Maine (August, 2006 – June, 2015)

As the Director of Student Services, I managed fiscal resources and evaluated all special education programs, teachers and staff. I prepared budgets; managed a staff of over 100; and I ensured that all special education and ADA – Section 504 services were compliant with State and Federal Regulations. I provided oversight to district- wide nursing services, K-12 guidance programs, RTI program and development, and grade 7-12 Alternative Education. I was the Superintendent’s designee to the School Board Policy Committee, authoring a large number of policies that were adopted by the full School Board. I acted as the Superintendent’s designee to the School Board Student Services Committee; contributed to monthly school board meetings; and developed/facilitated professional development initiatives. I provided leadership as the chair of the Brunswick School Department Proficiency-Based Learning Steering Committee, and I served as chair of the Proficiency-Based Learning Policy Task Force. Other leadership assignments included work on the planning and construction of the Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School, teacher/principal evaluation development committee, dropout prevention, and working with the Brunswick School Board Adhoc Committee for strategic planning. I was an essential member of the Brunswick School Department/MSAD 75 task force by chairing the collaboration subcommittee charged with investigating avenues to achieve regional collaboration. In addition, I provided leadership and worked collaboratively with community members, local business owners and school personnel to develop a pre- kindergarten program for the Brunswick School Department.

Assistant Superintendent, School Union No. 74 and CSD No. 14, Damariscotta, Maine (2004 – 2006)

As Assistant Superintendent, I managed special education services (including ADA – Section 504), coordinated curriculum activities (as the curriculum coordinator), wrote and managed all federal Title grants (including the Union Title I program, 92-142 monies, and professional development grants). I provided oversight of the operation of the Union 74 alternative education program, and performed a variety of additional duties as assigned by the Superintendent. I served as liaison to Lincoln Academy, which served the vast majority of secondary students in Union 74/CSD 14. I provided leadership in planning and organizing staff development initiatives. As Assistant Superintendent, I crafted and managed numerous budgets, wrote portions of the Long Range Plan, participated in monthly school board meetings, and provided leadership in a large scale renovation project.

Special Education/ADA – Section 504 Coordinator, Maine School Administrative District #54, Skowhegan, Maine (2001 – 2004)

While in MSAD #54, I prepared budgets, managed ADA – Section 504 services, evaluated programs, and managed a staff of over 100 professionals providing services to more than 500 students with special needs. In addition, I served on the board of Central Maine Inclusive Schools, which coordinated staff development opportunities for teaching/paraprofessional staff and parents in the region, and was an executive officer on the Board of Child Development Services.

Special Education Coordinator/Psychological Examiner, Maine School Administrative District #38, Dixmont, Maine (1996-1997)

In MSAD #38, I prepared budgets, chaired Pupil Evaluation Team meetings, provided psychological evaluation for students, managed ADA – Section 504 services, and evaluated special education programs and staff.

OTHER RELATIVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Adjunct Professor, Thomas College, Waterville, Maine (spring, 2018). Graduate course “School Law for Administrators.”
• Psychological Examiner, Maine School Administrative District #54, Skowhegan, Maine (1998 – 2001)
• Psychological Examiner, Eastern Maine Counseling and Testing Services, Bangor, Maine (1997-1998)
• School Social Worker/Behavior Consultant/School Psychology Intern, Maine School Administrative District#46, Dexter, Maine (1993 – 1996)

  PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND AWARDS

• Member of Maine School Superintendent’s Association (MSSA)
• Member of the National Association of School Superintendent’s
• Member of the Kennebec Valley Superintendent’s Association
• Appointed Member of the Annual Measurable Objectives Advisory Task Force to the Commissioner
• Appointed Member to the MSSA Resolutions Committee, Writing the Educational Platform for MSSA
• 2010 recipient of the “Commissioner’s Recognition Award” for working with “at-risk” students
• Past member of the Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC)
• Past member of the MADSEC Legislative Committee
• Past member of the MADSEC Professional Development Committee
• Past Executive Board Member Child Development Services
• Past Board Chair of Child Development Services in Brunswick