Dr. Christopher Record was approved by he Cape Elizabeth School Board on April 15 as the new superintendent. He will start in July. Courtesy photo.

CAPE ELIZABETH — Christopher Record, currently assistant superintendent Gorham Public Schools, will begin as superintendent of Cape Elizabeth Schools in the 2021-22 school year.

The board of education approved Record for the position on April 15, with members welcoming him to the Cape Elizabeth community. He will begin in the district on July 1.

Record will take over the position from Superintendent Donna Wolfrom, who has been with Cape Elizabeth since 2018. Wolfrom announced that she is retiring at the end of this school year.

Beginning the hiring process in January, the superintendent interview committee felt that the position needed to be filled by someone who could mesh well with the district, Heather Altenburg, board chair, said.

“We said the right fit is so important for us, and I am thrilled because you are absolutely the right fit for us,” Altenburg said. “I’m so excited. The very first time we met you it felt like you were already a part of our community, which felt so comforting, so hopeful, so energizing. It was clear from the beginning that you are the right fit and I am so excited for getting to work with you, moving forward and carving this next chapter in Cape Elizabeth’s school department.”

Record, who, according to Cape Elizabeth School Department’s website is in his fifth year at Gorham, said he is excited to lead the district, planning to be transparent and available for questions.

“I have much more to learn about Cape,” Record said. “I look forward to it. I look forward to meeting the students and staff and parents and connecting and taking Cape to an even greater place. I know there are challenges ahead and I know this year has been really hard for everybody, but we are going to persevere and have a great 21-22. So I can’t wait to get into Cape and meet all of you and connect and really get started.”

In 2019, Record was Maine’s Superintendent of the Year, said a release from the district.

According to a Cape Elizabeth School Department statement, “Chris started his educational career in alternative and special education in North Carolina and Massachusetts, before moving to Maine where he taught social studies at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

“After making the shift into administration as assistant principal at Oxford Hills, Chris then had a distinguished term as principal of Gorham High School for eight years. Dr. Record holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and a doctorate in public policy and educational leadership.”

Altenburg said Record plans to have public forums in the spring in order to get to know parents and staff.

“(He) will be popping up in Cape Elizabeth in the next few months before the initial start date,” Altenburg said.

Board members said they were excited for Record to begin his new position this summer. Member Kimberly Carr said she looks forward to the upcoming years.

“I think there is so much enthusiasm in the interview committee, and I personally am so excited to have you join us and look forward to great years ahead,” Carr said.