BRUNSWICK — The Brunswick School Department has extended contracts for three top administrators at Brunswick High School, including interim Principal Donna Borowick.

Meanwhile, the school department continues to conduct a national search for a permanent replacement for Bruce Cook, who retired in June 2011 after a lengthy tenure as Brunswick High School’s principal. The school department will accept applications for the position through the end of this month.

After Cook announced his plans to retire in late 2010, school officials conducted two search-and-interview processes in their quest to find his successor. After both efforts failed to seal a deal with a candidate to replace Cook, the school department elevated Borowick from her position as assistant principal to interim principal. She has functioned in that role since Cook’s departure.

At a Feb. 8 meeting, the School Board unanimously approved extending the contracts of four administrators, including Borowick and two others at Brunswick High School, until June 30, 2014.

The board extended contracts for Borowick, interim Assistant Principal Timothy Gagnon and Assistant Principal Peter Gardner. Paul Austin, the department’s school services director, also received a contract extension through 2014.

Superintendent Paul Perzanoski said that the contract extensions do not obligate the School Board to keep those positions should budget decisions require the elimination of any administrative jobs.

“We’re hoping that every- one stays, but there’s no guarantee in this climate,” Perzanoski said.

Two weeks ago, the Maine Department of Education released estimates of state school subsidies that show Brunswick losing approximately $1.2 million in 2012-13. Combining that projected reduction with decreases from various federal revenue sources, Brunswick school officials face the task of cutting approximately $3 million from the annual operating budget that will take effect on July 1.

Perzanoski expressed concern Tuesday that the expected shortfalls could complicate the process involved in hiring a new high school principal, noting that other signs of a bad economy had curbed the hiring of a candidate for the permanent post last year.

“Last year, we had finalists who thought they would have trouble selling their house,” Perzanoski said. “ I don’t expect the climate for applicants is going to change any.”

Perzanoski said that applications for the top spot at BHS will be accepted through Feb. 29.

dfishell@timesrecord.com