LEWISTON —

will be the next principal of Lewiston High School, Superintendent Bill Webster announced Wednesday.

Chabot, 44, currently principal of Lewiston Middle School, will start at the high school Monday, Feb. 9.

“Shawn’s my most experienced administrator,” Webster said. “He’s worked at the middle school dealing with the same situations at the high school. Most importantly, he’s had success in all his administrations. He’s well-liked by students, parents and faculty, while moving schools in the direction they need to be moving in.”

Chabot said he’s excited to work with high school staff, students and parents. “It’s quite a privilege and honor.”

The middle school has a student population of about 700; the high school has 1,300 and is among the largest high schools in Maine.

The timing of the change isn’t ideal, Chabot said. Middle school teachers are doing a lot of work around proficiency-based learning, he said.

“The staff has worked hard,” he said. “At the same time, I’m excited to go up there and be part of a great team. The assistant principals, the deans, the teachers are great people.”

Eighth-grade teacher David Martel called Chabot “an excellent principal, a really good guy. The middle school will miss him terribly.”

Chabot is approachable by students, parents and teachers, Martel said. “The middle school’s loss is the high school’s gain.”

School Committee Chairman Jim Handy and committee member Linda Scott said they were pleased Webster chose Chabot.

Both praised Chabot for creating a good environment at the middle school. “Some of the middle school staff is disappointed, but we’re excited to have him at the high school,” Handy said.

Chabot will replace Linda MacKenzie, who stepped down as principal Tuesday after an assessment of the school’s climate prompted her to conclude she wasn’t the best person to lead, Webster said.

Webster thanked MacKenzie for her work, and said she would continue her employment with the School Department by overseeing alternative education for the rest of the year. Her annual salary is about $98,800.

It was not clear Wednesday whether the changes would create an extra position in the budget.

Handy said the middle school will be run by its two assistant principals until MacKenzie’s contract ends in June. Then, a middle school principal will be hired.

Webster has posted the middle school opening will ask the School Committee to fill the position, he said. By the time it is filled, there won’t be many months left in the fiscal year, which ends June 30.

Chabot will get an increase in pay, but the amount was not available Wednesday.

The School Department has an obligation to fulfill MacKenzie’s contract because she didn’t do anything wrong, Webster said. The higher expenses could be covered by vacant positions, he said, adding that the School Committee will be discussing it.

MacKenzie will work to improve and expand alternative education, which is needed and could improve graduation rates, Scott said. “We need more alternative options at the high school. Her compassion with the kids has been phenomenal.”

Chabot has been the Lewiston Middle School principal since July 2011. Before that he was assistant principal at McMahon Elementary School in Lewiston.

He’s a member of the Maine Army National Guard, a father of three and is married to Carol Chabot. “Without her support, I could not do what I do,” Chabot said.

He grew up in Dexter and graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington. Chabot has taught at Leavitt Area High School in Turner, Elm Street School in Mechanic Falls and was principal at the former Holy Cross Catholic elementary school in Lewiston.

bwashuk@sunjournal.com