RSU 05 board approves Pamela Crosby as Freeport Middle School principal amid staff objections

The RSU 05 Board of Directors voted to employ Pamela Crosby as principal of Freeport Middle School for the 2025–26 school year after a public comment period in which Freeport Middle School teachers urged the board to reconsider an internal candidate.

Teachers said they were disappointed their voices were not meaningfully included in the process. "We want to express our deep disappointment that our voices were not meaningfully included in the process," Freeport Middle School teacher Stacy Alvarez said during the meeting. Sarah Davis, another FMS teacher, said staff would "be professional and kind, and we will welcome you into our FMS community," while noting frustration that an experienced internal interim leader was not selected.

The board described the process used to fill the principalship and clarified the board's legal role. "We authorize the superintendent to make all hires, but for administrators ... those come before the board for basically to authorize her to do so," the board chair said. The board added that it cannot direct the superintendent to hire a different person and that its formal role is to approve or decline the candidate put forward. Superintendent Scrappa said the process "was followed the way we've followed processes in the past, and by policy, it was followed correctly."

District administrators said the search began with advertising on March 21; screening team members were selected March 31. The screening/interview committee was chaired by Assistant Superintendent Cynthia Alexander and included two building principals, a board member, two Freeport Middle School educators and two parents or community members. The application closed April 11. The district said there were 15 applicants, six were interviewed, and two finalists were forwarded for final consideration; Pamela Crosby was the candidate presented to the board.

The board read a summary of Crosby's credentials: a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Maine at Farmington, a master's in education from Saint Joseph's College, k–8 elementary certification and preK–12 building administration certification. The district described Crosby's experience as an eighth‑grade teacher in math and science at multiple schools, two years as an assistant principal, and about 10 years as a principal. References were summarized as describing her as "approachable, proactive, a deep thinker" who "creates an amazing climate and culture where everyone feels part of the school community."

Board members and staff also flagged mentorship and internal leadership development as a recurring concern. Board Member Colin said mentorship within the district "is one that we have heard" and asked that the board consider how to communicate and strengthen mentorship during future superintendent transitions. Several speakers reiterated that certain personnel matters are confidential and that board members may not be provided details about ongoing personnel issues during the school year. Board Member Colin noted the legal limits on what staffing information the board may receive "because it would be a violation of that individual's privacy."

A motion to employ Crosby for the 2025–26 school year was moved and seconded; the board chair called for the vote and the motion was approved. The board did not provide a roll‑call tally in the public transcript; the chair announced the result and welcomed Crosby to RSU 05.

The public comment portion, the board's process explanation, and the approval all occurred during the regular RSU 05 board meeting at Durham Community School Gymnasium on May 14, 2025. The board indicated it will continue to consider district mentorship and internal development practices as a separate topic for future attention.