Two high-level Gorham school administrators are leaving the district.

Paul Kelly, business manager for Gorham’s school

department, has accepted a similar post at Thornton Academy in Saco.

Gorham Middle School Principal Dennis Duquette is leaving at the end June to become superintendent of School Union 29, which includes Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls.

Kelly, 52, has been named chief financial officer at the private school. Starting in April, he will divide his time between Gorham and Thornton Academy. He will finish his Gorham job in June.

Duquette, who lives in Raymond, is the only principal the Gorham Middle School, which opened in 2003 and replaced Shaw Junior High School, has known. Duquette previously served as a middle school principal in Woodstock, Conn. The School Union 29 job is his first superintendency.

Money manager

Kelly hadn’t planned to leave Gorham but an offer lured him away. “I was offered an opportunity. It feels like the right time to move on to my next challenge,” Kelly said in his office Tuesday.

Gorham Superintendent Ted Sharp said it will be difficult replacing Kelly. “Paul’s a very, very competent professional who really knows the demands of being a business manager in public schools,” Sharp said.

Kelly joined the Gorham School Department in the fall of 2000 after serving Saco-Dayton schools as business manager. Thornton Academy called Kelly with an offer in November. “It sort of fell out of the sky,” Kelly said.

In Gorham, Kelly develops the budget and nine people report directly to him. He oversees accounts payable and payroll for several departments including nutrition, transportation, maintenance and technology.

Before becoming a school business manager for the past 10 years, Kelly spent 20 years at Unum in several capacities. He said his role at Thornton Academy would be more like being in the private sector.

He said Thornton Academy, which now has a middle school, has a plan to expand. There, he’ll be responsible for maintenance, payroll and benefits and investments.

“I’ll manage their money,” Kelly said. “Its more a focus on money management and financial planning.”

Before moving, Kelly will guide Gorham through the budget preparation, which is under way. He’s also implementing a new, $80,000 software upgrade, which will be on line in Gorham on April 1.

Kelly praised his tenure with the Gorham school department. “I’ve enjoyed my time,” Kelly said. “It’s been an excellent place to work.”

Sharp will advertise the job soon. Sharp said Kelly is highly respected. “He’s very hard to replace,” Sharp said. “He’s done a superb job.”

Kelly and his wife, Lynne, live in Portland. The couple has two grown children and are now empty nesters.

A big opportunity

Duquette, 53, sat at his desk Tuesday surrounded by memorabilia on shelves, bulletin board and even taped to his office door by students.

“Its an opportunity to do what I’ve done for Gorham Middle School for a whole district,” he said about accepting the superintendent job.

By all accounts, Duquette brought a unique approach to education.

A variety of music plays in hallways, where he often hands students ice cream passes, redeemable in the cafeteria. He has even accepted challenges like footraces with students. After recently losing a challenge, Duquette delivered doughnuts to a classroom.

He instituted an open-door policy for parents. Recently, he sent parents a letter announcing he would be leaving. “Ted Sharp, our superintendent, and I have discussed this opportunity on several occasions, and while he has continually expressed his desire that I remain as principal of GMS, he has been most supportive of whatever decision that I believe is in the best interest of my professional career and the interests of my family,” Duquette wrote.

In a week, he has received 25 letters and cards from parents. “‘Thank you for making me laugh and smile every day,'” he read from a three-page, parent’s letter.

Sharp said he knew in December that Duquette had applied for the job. Duquette told Sharp about two weeks ago that he had accepted the offer.

“It’s a big loss for us and a big opportunity for him,” Sharp said. “It’s a feather in his cap.”

At Gorham, Duquette instituted an eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C. The school is now raising money so that all eighth-graders can go. A recent winter carnival tallied $3,000 from games played in the gym to benefit the trip.

Students get a first-hand look how government works. “It’s a powerful, powerful three days,” Duquette said.

He has led several student groups and even skied with his students. He also coached cross-country, oversees a “Star Wars” student club and the Gorham Middle School Movers, a dance group. “And I can’t dance,” he said.

A native of Dalton, Mass., near New York, Duquette is a New York Yankee fan, although his cousin, Dan Duquette, was formerly the Red Sox general manager. The principal keeps his softball glove handy in his office and kids post Red Sox signs on his office door. Yankee and Red Sox caps line a shelf.

Duquette and his wife, Ann, have a son, Jeff, an educational technician and a coach at Windham High School, and a daughter, Corbi, who is working toward a master’s degree in the dermatology field.

In April of 2005, Duquette was a finalist for principal at Cape Elizabeth Middle School, but withdrew his application following a huge show of support from Gorham parents.

Leaving now, Duquette has no complaints. “It’s hard for me to leave here,” Duquette said. “I love the town. The community is amazing.”

Sharp said a search for Duquette’s replacement will begin later this month. Duquette’s salary in 2006 was $80,000.

New opportunities lure Gorham school officials Cutline (Paul Kelly)