Keane looking forward to his new position at PCSS

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    GUILFORD — Aside from a brisk wind, Aug. 28 proved to be a near-perfect day for School Administrative District 4 residents to meet the new teachers and high school principal and enjoy a complimentary barbecue on the high school lawn.
    Superintendent Ann Kirkpatrick and her staff dished out hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and lemonade to an appreciative crowd of parents, students and staff.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    MEET AND GREET — Piscataquis Community Secondary School Principal John Keane chats with parents John and Brydie Armstrong and science teacher Heather Doherty at last week’s community barbecue.

    Although it was Piscataquis Community High School Principal John Keane’s first day on the job, he said that it really felt like home. “I have property on Brassau Lake (near Rockwood) and I drive by here almost every weekend during the summer,” Keane said. “So this is the area I wanted to relocate to because of the beauty and natural resources it has to offer.”
    Keane had been principal at J.A. Leonard Middle School in Old Town for the past 15 years and was previously assistant principal and athletic director at Mount Abram High School in Salem Township and principal of Kingfield Elementary School, both in SAD 58.
    With the departure of former PCSS Principal Kevin Harrington to Livermore Elementary School last month, Keane said that this was an opportunity too good to pass up. “One of the reasons I applied is the reputation they have for technology and how well it’s being implemented. I consider this a very high priority. Also, this is an Apple Distinguished School, so I see some great things happening here,” Keane said.
    One of Keane’s colleagues in Old Town, Liz Manzer, also spoke highly of SAD 4, he added. “She said this was a great school district and I’d do incredibly well up here,” Keane said.
    As a new high school principal, Keane said that some of his top priorities are “learning the ropes of the position. But I think I have a good sense of what it takes because of my experience at Mount Abram High School, which is also in a rural area.”
    However, Keane added that after being a middle school principal for more than a decade, he has to “relearn some of the process. A high school is a different structure and the kids have different needs. I also have to learn the extra duties associated with the job such as homecoming and graduation.”
    One of the first major events coming up at the district that Keane will oversee is the Veterans’ Day ceremony in November which involves the elementary, middle and high school students. “I’ve heard great things about it, so I’m looking forward to doing my part,” Keane said.
    The new principal also said that PCSS will be honoring Students of the Month in all four grades this year.