RSU 5 approves three hires: assistant principal, district BCBA and assistant superintendent

The RSU 5 Board of Directors approved three personnel appointments April 29, part of the meeting's personnel agenda.

Superintendent Tom Gray nominated Ben McDonough to be assistant principal at Durham Community School; trustees approved the hire after noting McDonough's three years' experience as an assistant principal and background in restorative practices. The motion to employ McDonough was made and seconded by board members Kelly and Colin, and the vote carried with no opposition.

Gray also presented Jennifer Snow as a candidate for the districtwide board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) position. Board members emphasized the challenge of recruiting for this specialized role and approved Snow's appointment unanimously.

Finally the board approved the appointment of Mandy Lewis as assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment. Gray described Lewis as a current middle-school principal with prior experience in neighboring districts; the board welcomed her and voted to confirm the hire.

All three motions passed by voice vote with no recorded no votes. Each hire now moves to onboarding steps handled by the superintendent's office.