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Freeport educators tell RSU 05 board internal candidates were passed over for leadership roles
Summary
Two Freeport educators told the RSU 05 School Board during public comment that internal candidates were overlooked for building leadership positions, raising concerns about staff morale and calls for mentorship and internal promotion.
PHILLIS, a school counselor at Freeport Middle School, and Mary Federle, a math teacher at the middle school, used the meeting's public-comment period to urge the RSU 05 School Board to prioritize internal candidates and mentorship in district leadership hiring.
Phyllis, who identified herself as a school counselor at Freeport Middle School with 36 years in education and 17 years at RSU 05, said she is “compelled by a deep concern for the direction of leadership hiring in our district.” She told the board she has “watched with growing concern as highly committed individuals from within our system have been passed over for leadership roles,” and said those decisions “have had a direct impact on staff morale, student outcomes, and our overall school stability.”
Mary Federle said staff at Freeport Middle School learned that the acting principal would not be chosen as principal for the coming year. She said the acting principal and an acting assistant principal “restored trust and guidance” after a difficult year and called the decision “a red flag.” Federle said the acting principal “was able in a very brief time to ride our ship” and asked the board to “ask those questions and look into why it was that she was not offered this position.”
Both speakers urged the district to invest in mentoring for internal educators so they can move into administrative roles. Phyllis suggested that, even if some internal candidates lack years of experience, a formal mentoring pathway would allow them to gain the experience needed for leadership.
These remarks were made during the meeting's public-comment segment; the transcript records comments but does not show any board response or formal action related to hiring policies at this meeting. No specific personnel files or private personnel matters were discussed during public comment, and the board reiterated at the start of the session that complaints about staff are handled through the district complaint procedure and are not heard in public meetings.
The public commenters asked the board and central office to examine the hiring process and consider fostering internal advancement and mentorship to retain educators and stabilize school leadership.
