With Mary Seaman retiring, Dan Sansoucy wil take over her duties as liaison for homeless students at Lewiston High School, Assistant Superintendent Shawn Chabot said. 

LEWISTON — While homeless education program liaison Mary Seaman is retiring, the Lewiston High School program will still “run as it has in the past,” Assistant Superintendent Shawn Chabot said.

Teacher Meg Dumais will be in the Store Next Door in the school basement to help students with academics and other needs, as will case manager Jamie Caouette.

But there will be a few changes, Chabot said.

Taking over for Seaman will be Dan Sansoucy, a former Lewiston Middle School alternative education teacher.

Until now there were two people helping homeless students, Seaman at the high school and an administrator at the Dingley Building who oversaw help for homeless students in grades K-8.

In an attempt to replicate the success at the high school with all grades, Sansoucy will coordinate help for homeless students in grades K-12, Chabot said. That will allow the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Program “to have a more district point of view and offer seamless supports for all students who need the services,” Chabot said.

One advantage of the change, high school Principal Jake Langlais said, is that Sansoucy will work year-round.  Seaman was on a teacher’s contract, which meant she did not work some of the summer. 

Sansoucy will spend most of his time in the school where the greatest needs are, which will likely be the high school and the middle school, but that will be evaluated as the school year progresses, Chabot said.

The goal is to continue Seaman’s work.

“Mary’s dedication to some of Lewiston’s most needy and vulnerable students was unmatched in the state,” Chabot said. “Dan will continue where Mary has left off and do a great job, but he has big shoes to fill.”

Meanwhile, Seaman said she plans to stay involved with The Store Next Door, which uses grants and donations to provide free clothing, meals, school supplies and personal products for homeless students.

Langlais said he’d welcome involvement from Seaman, praising her networking skills, care and compassion for students. 

bwashuk@sunjournal.com