Hartford Sumner School Welcomes Kelly Engle and Ashley Gagne as New Teachers

The RSU 10 Board of Directors convened on July 21, 2025, to discuss several key personnel changes for the upcoming school year. The meeting began with a commendation for a new health teacher who recently completed her student teaching at Mount Blue Middle School. The board highlighted her background as a behavioral health professional, emphasizing her experience working with children and young adults facing mental and behavioral challenges. This position became available following Kathy Crutchfield's transition to a physical education role.

The board then moved to approve the superintendent's recommendation of Kelly Engle as a sixth-grade teacher at Highbridge Sumner Elementary School for the 2025-2026 school year. Engle, who has 24 years of teaching experience at Saint Dom's, expressed enthusiasm for joining the Hartford community, particularly due to her residence in Turner.

Following this, the board approved Ashley Gagne as a fourth-grade teacher at Highbridge Sumner Elementary School, also starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Gagne, who holds a bachelor's degree in social and behavioral sciences, has recently returned to the area after following her husband during his military service. She is set to teach with a conditional certification, pending a year of classroom experience to obtain her professional certification. Notably, Gagne's mother, Heidi Campbell, is also a teacher within the district.

The meeting concluded with unanimous approvals for both teaching appointments, reflecting the board's commitment to enhancing educational staff and fostering a supportive learning environment.