The Regional School Unit 21 School Board is weighing options in its search for a new superintendent. At a special meeting on March 24, the board considered hiring the Maine School Management Association to aid in the search.

Instead of agreeing to hire the association last week, the board decided to table the option and have the district’s Human Resources Committee meet to put together a proposal on how to search for an interim superintendent. RSU 21 includes the towns of Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.

Current superintendent Dr. Terri Cooper announced her resignation in early March. She will officially resign in August, leaving the district after five years.

Members of the RSU 21 community discussed the interim superintendent hiring process during public comment at last week’s meeting.

Rachel McCarthy, a teacher at Sea Road School in Kennebunk, said the process should involve community members and stakeholders in the district.

“I really feel strongly that we need representation from all associations that are going to be led by whomever the interim is,” McCarthy said.

Kennebunk resident Amanda Downing questioned why Assistant Superintendent Paul Rasmussen was not immediately tapped for interim superintendent.

It would make sense to promote Rasmussen to the position instead of spending money on both an interim superintendent search and a search for a permanent superintendent, she said.

“Normally, when we hire people for tiered positions like an assistant, we vet those folks to be eligible to step up to occupy the top position in case of an absence,” Downing said.

The board was also divided on whether to hire the Maine School Management Association, with some members raising concerns.

Board member Gayle Spofford said she was concerned about the unknown cost of hiring the association, and said she could not vote on the proposal without more information.

“I don’t want to spend money we don’t need to spend,” Spofford said.

Spofford also said the district doesn’t “need” an interim superintendent until Sept. 1.

“We don’t need to do this now,” Spofford said. “We still have a superintendent. I’m concerned we’re moving into this too quickly.”

But other board members, including Board Chair Matthew Stratford, disagreed.

“Hiring great people takes a long time,” Stratford said.

The district is hoping to hire an interim superintendent “as close to July 1 as possible,” which is the start of the 2026 fiscal year.

Vice Chair Britney Gerth agreed with Stratford, noting that the Maine School Management Association is the “gold standard” in many other areas of the board, including policy.

“They have expertise in this area,” Gerth said. “Their proposal makes sense to me.”

Several board members suggested considering other organizations to aid in the search, to which Superintendent Cooper agreed.

“It’s always great to look at a variety to make sure you’re picking the one that’s best for you,” Cooper said.

The district’s Human Resources Committee is expected to present a proposal on how to search for the interim superintendent at the next board meeting on April 7.