HOULTON, Maine — The RSU 29 board welcomed its new superintendent, Ellen Schneider, to her first official meeting with the district Monday evening.
Schneider replaces Mike Hammer, who announced his resignation in January after three and a half years with the district. Hammer has since taken a job as the interim superintendent for neighboring RSU 50 (Southern Aroostook/Katahdin schools).
I am very happy to be here,” Schneider said Monday evening. “The transition in has been extremely smooth. I closed on a house just recently and everyone I have met has been very kind and welcoming. I look forward to the school year.”
A native of Presque Isle, Schneider has been in education for the past 28 years. She has served as the Wells-Ogunquit superintendent for the past two years. Prior to her position in Wells, Schneider worked 26 years for SAD 1. She started as an elementary special education teacher. Other roles during her tenure in that district included assistant principal, special education director, curriculum director and assistant superintendent. In addition, through service agreements SAD 1 held with neighboring districts, she worked as part-time principal and assistant superintendent in Bridgewater and was the curriculum director in Ashland.
Schneider added although her first day on the job was not until July 1, she attended Houlton High School’s graduation ceremony June 11 and was “very impressed” with the professionalism of the students.
“I slipped in the back and attended the ceremony as someone brand new,” Schneider said. “I was so pleased with how the graduation was planned and executed. It was very professional and fitting. The students obviously took great pride in graduating.”
