New MSAD75 Superintendent, Steven B. Connolly. Maria Skillings/Times Record

Maine School Administrative District 75 named Steven B. Connolly as its new superintendent at a board meeting on April 14.

The board unanimously tapped Connolly to lead the district. Connolly will sign a two-year contract with a starting annual salary of $145,000.

Connolly previously served as superintendent of North Berwick-based Maine School Administrative District 60 for eight years, leaving in November of 2019.  He has also served as principal of Cape Elizabeth Middle School, assistant principal of Portland High School and principal of Baxter Elementary and Pleasant Hill Primary in Scarborough. He has also worked as a teacher at both the elementary and middle school levels.

Connolly has his bachelor’s in elementary education from St. Joseph’s College and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Southern Maine.

Connolly said there are many similarities and crossovers between his work at MSAD 60 with MSAD 75. He said he enjoys collaborating with students, staff and board members.

“I am so thrilled for this opportunity,” he said.

“Mr. Connolly fits many of the key qualities and attributes sought by the four towns and seven schools of the district,” said Board Chair Holly J. Kopp. “Primarily, Mr. Connolly has a student-focused mindset and is described by his colleagues as upholding a ‘students-first’ tradition. As an educational leader, Mr. Connolly has been referred to as collaborative, creative, and leading with a team mentality. He relates well with employees at all levels of the district due to his vast experience in several roles. He is known for his financial astuteness, his ability to relate well with staff and students, and his ability to use data and set goals to maximize student growth.”

This is MSAD 75’s fifth superintendent in the past four years.

Robert Lucy has been serving as MSAD 75’s interim superintendent since July 2021.

Kopp said Lucy, “has been instrumental in leading our District through the challenges of a pandemic and he will leave the district poised to focus on long term strategic planning and academic growth for students.”

The search for Lucy’s replacement began in December of last year.