Wiscasset Elementary School Principal Kathleen Pastore is resigning effective June 30. In her March 8 letter to Interim Superintendent of Schools Robert “Bob” England Jr., Pastore said this was one of the hardest decisions of her career.

She wrote: “A family situation that arose in the spring of 2022 has given me pause to reflect on the need to have flexibility in my schedule in order to be more available for my family in Massachusetts. The role of school principal is an encompassing one, and I have to come to the realization that I need to make a shift in the next steps of both my personal life and my professional career.

“It has been my honor to work alongside the faculty and staff at Wiscasset Elementary School,” Pastore continued. “They are committed professionals who truly exemplify what it means to put students first. They bring their best daily to support, educate, and provide our students with a safe, supportive school environment in which every child is loved and respected. I have been impressed and amazed by their ability to collaboratively work as a team dedicated to the goal of student success.

“Additionally, I want to thank the Wiscasset School Board and the families of Wiscasset for welcoming me to their community. The incredible students that I have had the pleasure to work with over the last two years have brightened my days, and made me a stronger educator. The children bring me such joy, and are a daily reminder of the importance of the critical work of public education.

“In the short time I have had the opportunity to work with you, it has been a true pleasure. I find your insight and vision refreshing, and it has been invigorating to work alongside you to move Wiscasset students forward,” she told England. 

In recent weeks, Wiscasset Middle High School’s principal and assistant principal, Charles Lomonte and Warren Cossette, separately announced they were resigning. The school committee named Gina Stevens WMHS’ interim principal. 

In a March 9, wiscassetschools.org post about Pastore, England wrote:  “We are in the process of forming an interview committee for a new principal for next year. We need to work quickly, as this is the time of year many current principals or aspiring principals are seeking new opportunities. The interview committee is looking for two parents/guardians to be part of this committee. Follow this link to a form that seeks information from those people who are interested to complete. Copy and paste link into a web browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfK2vahEY8kZr7gCcjiAaqMOvSvFeOir1yYy3bdLPafxYlO9w/viewform

“We are hoping to have interviews in the first two weeks of April so the membership of this committee will be finalized by the end of next week. Thank you for considering being part of the continued success of WES.”

In a phone interview Friday, England noted the two committees being formed to find the schools’ next principals. “My objective is to create stability as soon as possible for the Wiscasset School Department,” he said.

And in a separate phone interview Friday, Pastore said she wished the timing could have been different given the developments at WMHS, but as early as last fall she anticipated leaving at the end of this school year. She shared that with England last fall, she said. 

How have staff and parents reacted to Pastore’s plans? Staff were “saddened,” she said. She and they bonded early in her two years at WES and together they and parents, including those with Partners in Education, collaborated, and the school culture and academics are better for it, she observed. She has received supportive comments from parents in recent days.