Meredith Nadeau, superintendent of the Cape Elizabeth School Department since 2011, is one of three finalists to become superintendent of Weston Public Schools in Massachusetts.

Nadeau is the second contender in southern Maine to be recruited for a superintendent position in Massachusetts. George Entwistle III, superintendent of Scarborough schools, had been in the running for a position in Lexington, Mass., though he was notified in December that he was no longer a candidate.

Another local superintendent, Suzanne Godin in South Portland, has announced her resignation effective June 30. A search committee was established Monday night to find her replacement.

Danielle Black, chairwoman of the Weston School Committee, announced the finalists on Jan. 8.

“Each candidate has very clear and obvious strengths,” Black said. “Meredith is a fantastic candidate. She has great people skills and leadership and that’s something that we’re looking for. But I’d also say the other candidates have that, too.”

Nadeau said she learned she was a finalist last Wednesday.

“I was recruited, and had my first conversation with folks in Weston last week,” said Nadeau. “Weston is a great and high-performing school district with students receiving recognition in a variety of areas, and has some strong similarities to Cape Elizabeth.”

She said, “It’s certainly flattering to receive that type of recognition. I still have a contract here for a couple more years yet. At this point, the (Cape Elizabeth School) Board has not made any forward movement on selecting a replacement.”

Nadeau is competing against Dr. Thomas Campbell, human resources director for public schools in Needham, Mass., and Jennifer Fisher-Mueller, deputy superintendent of teaching and learning for Brookline Public Schools in Massachusetts.

“I am delighted with the candidates we have,” said Black this week, “and I think we will be in good shape with any of the three now. We are just trying to find the best match.”

Each candidate was scheduled to spend a day at Weston schools this week to participate in a public interview with the school committee and meet with the students and staff, Black said. Nadeau will be in the district for the first time on Thursday, Jan. 15.

“We have an opportunity for (the candidates) to meet with members of the School Committee and the senior administrative team,” said Black. “There will also be receptions for them to meet with parents and guardians, curriculum leaders, faculty and staff and community members and students. It’s a chance for them to get into our buildings, meet the principal, see what’s happening in the classrooms and to see how we run.”

Black said the Weston School Committee is expected choose the school district’s new superintendent on Thursday, Jan. 22. Whoever is chosen will replace Dr. Cheryl Maloney, who has been the superintendent for seven years and worked in the district for 30 years.

In Cape Elizabeth, Nadeau has overseen one of Maine’s highest-performing school districts, which has gained state and national recognition and has accomplished several projects, including the launch of full-day kindergarten.

According to Nadeau, in her online application to Weston Public Schools in December, she also initiated the development of a preschool program with community support; developed and implemented a 10-year capital improvement plan in collaboration with the town to upgrade the school’s aging facilities; expanded world language programming into the lower elementary grades; and implemented one-to-one technology programming to allow for more personalized learning and enhance student engagement.

“I’ve had a supportive board, and there are great faculty and students here,” said Nadeau. But “none of that work happens without a team effort,” she said.

In her application, which can be viewed on the Weston Public Schools website, www.westonschools.org, Nadeau wrote she believes she qualifies for the position because she has “worked as a classroom teacher and special educator and as a building and district administrator. As a result, I understand the complexities facing public education from a variety of perspectives.”

The Cape Elizabeth School Department enrolls 1,647 students and has an annual budget of $23 million.

Nadeau is paid an annual salary of $132,067. Maloney earns an annual salary of $210,839, according to the district’s human resources director, Annya Haughton.

According to Joanna Morrissey, chairwoman of the Cape Elizabeth School Board, Nadeau has successfully delivered a mission, vision, and strategic plan for the students while preparing them for “the 21st century world.”

“My guess – and I could only guess – as to why Ms. Nadeau would be qualified for another high-performing school district located in the suburbs of Boston is, like our district, they have found her intelligence and innovative outlook to be a true asset.”

Prior to Cape Elizabeth, Nadeau held several teaching positions in New Hampshire and most recently served as the director of instruction for the Oyster River Cooperative School District in Durham, N.H., from July 2008-July 2011, and was the principal of Mont Vernon Village School in Mont Vernon, N.H., from July 2004-June 2008.

In the event Nadeau is chosen for the position in Massachusetts, Morrissey said the Cape Elizabeth School Board would form a search committee and hire a national search firm to find her replacement.

“The ‘who’ would have enormous shoes to fill and would be vetted to ensure we attract the best candidate for our district,” Morrissey said. “We are focused on keeping Ms. Nadeau at her current post. She is an enormously talented administrator and wish for her to continue to benefit our district.”

Morrissey said that Cape Elizabeth is “fortunate” to have Nadeau at the helm of the district.

“The school board greatly respects and values her dedication and we hope she chooses to remain here and continue moving our district forward,” she said.

Meredith Nadeau, superintendent of the Cape Elizabeth School Department, is a finalist for a superintendent’s position in Weston, Mass. Courtesy photo