‘Best choice’ for York: Timothy Doak named next school superintendent

YORK, Maine — An Aroostook County superintendent has been selected to replace outgoing Lou Goscinski as the head administrator at the York School Department.

Timothy Doak, superintendent for Eastern Aroostook RSU 39 (Caribou and Stockholm) and RSU 86/MSAD No. 20 (Fort Fairfield) school systems, was appointed to the position Wednesday by the York School Committee by a vote of 4-1. He was offered a one-year contract with a $180,000 salary.

“We’re very pleased where we’re landed,” said School Committee Chair Tom Martine. “We got down to the final two, we feel we made the best choice for the York School District.”

Goscinski announced in November that he would step down from being York’s superintendent in July following five years of service. He will leave one year before his current three-year contract ends.

Doak has been superintendent at RSU 39 since 2015 and was named Superintendent of the Year in 2018, according to an article on the University of Maine at Presque Isle website. He took on the additional role of superintendent of MSAD 20 in 2016, and his career has also included work as a social studies teacher, assistant principal, principal, and four years as superintendent at Fort Kent.

Previous story: York Superintendent Lou Goscinski stepping down at end of 2022-23 school year

Doak said he has been looking into moving to southern Maine to live closer to his adult children. He said they have visited the Seacoast many times over the years and have always loved York. He said in addition to the beach was the town’s use of historic buildings to preserve its past that impressed him.

“York has been nothing but impressive since the first day I went to York,” Doak said. “It’s just a wonderful place to be able to come and work. It’s a lot of pride in the community, and they should be proud with everything they have that makes it unique.”

Doak said he has heard great things about the York school system before he even applied for the job. On a recent visit to the school district, he was also happy to find three of his former students in the school district working as teachers themselves. He also found the students inviting, walking up to him and greeting him as he toured the schools.

“You don’t really see that in a lot of schools,” Doak said.

Doak said he watched two and a half years of York School Committee meetings to prepare for the job application process and became familiar with how the school district handled COVID-19, security and the budget process. He also said he is aware the school will soon see an upcoming visit from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. He expects to work on preparation for that visit this summer when he starts.

“Try to just build a strong administrative team,” Doak said, “From being a great district to being something better.”

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Doak picked over Coastal Ridge Principal Sean Murphy

Doak was one of two finalists considered for the positions whose names were announced last month. The other finalist was Coastal Ridge Elementary School Principal Sean Murphy. Murphy has been leading the elementary school in York since 2007, and Martine said at the time it would be a difficult choice choosing between someone trusted locally and someone who already has superintendent experience.

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Committee member Dawn Belliveau was the lone vote against Doak, though she did not elaborate on her decision. Support for Murphy as the choice came in public comment from those who said the committee would regret not picking the internal candidate.

“I feel you made a mistake,” said Amy Powell in public comment. “It’s nothing personal to Mr. Doak, I wish him the best, but I think we’re going to lose a gem at CRES.”

Martine said in the meeting the committee understood the stance some had in supporting Murphy as the board’s pick. Thursday, he reiterated that it was a challenging decision but that the board respects and appreciates Murphy.“I will definitely say Mr. Murphy from start to finish has been incredibly professional throughout the entire process,” Martine said. “We appreciate what he has already brought to the school district.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Timothy Doak named York ME school superintendent for 2023-24