BIDDEFORD — On Thursday, the School Committee unanimously appointed a new superintendent to helm the Biddeford School District.

Jeremy Ray, of Saco, who currently works as the director of operations/finance for the Westbrook School Department, will start his new position July 1.

He was the top choice from an applicant pool of 17.

Current Superintendent of Schools Sarah-Jane Poli, who announced in January her decision to retire this year, serves her last day on the job June 30.

Ray is being awarded a three-year contract; his annual pay will be $118,000.

“We anticipate great things,” said Mayor and School Committee Chair Alan Casavant. He congratulated Ray on behalf of the School Committee.

Ray said he is looking forward to his new position and working with school personnel so that “all students (are) assured of an education that prepares them for the future.”

School Committee member Anthony Michaud, who chaired the superintendent search committee, said he was very impressed with Ray’s “energy and experience.”

“He’s so excited, it makes you want to do more,” said Michaud.

The Westbrook School Department, where Ray currently works, and Biddeford are very comparable, he said. “There will be no learning curve.”

In addition, said Michaud, he hopes Ray can help save money in the Biddeford school budget as he did in Westbrook.

Ray helped the Westbrook School Department save a lot of money in their budget, said Michaud. He worked with city officials and school administrators beginning in July to reduce a $2.6 million shortfall and produce a budget with an increase of only 0.15 percent more than the previous year’s budget.

Ray has “exuberant and many ideas,” said School Committee member Tammy Fleurent, who was also on the superintendent search committee. He also showed the search committee that he has the ability to turn those ideas into action, she said.

He applied for the position, said Ray, because “Biddeford is a community that interests me.”

One of the biggest challenges of his new job, he said, will be making sure the School Department’s curriculum is aligned with the Common Core State Standards which were adopted by the state.

Another challenge, said Ray, will be controlling the budget and looking for ways to generate new revenue and outside funding.

According to a School Department press release, Ray is originally from Milbridge. In 1999, he received his bachelor’s degree in physical education at the University of Maine. In 2003, he received a master’s degree in education leadership.

Ray’s first administrative position was as assistant principal and athletic administrator of Dexter Middle School. Next he became principal of Appleton Village School.

In 2004, he held his first administrative position in Westbrook as principal of Canal School. He held that position until he became director of operations/finance in July.

Other experience includes Ray serving as Westbrook’s affirmative action officer and on committees regarding school department policy, technology, finance, student data and transportation.

Ray and his wife, Suzanne, a middle school teacher at Westbrook Middle School, have a 2-year-old son named Colby. Ray “is an avid Red Sox fan and enjoys attending events that bring the community together,” according to the release.

There is one issue that must be resolved in the next six months. Ray is a Saco resident, and according to the city charter the school superintendent must establish residency in Biddeford within six months of being hired.

A November vote could eliminate that requirement.

On Thursday, the Charter Committee voted to amend the charter to eliminate the residency requirement. In order for this change to take effect, the public will have to approve it in November.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.