FARMINGTON — Regional School Unit 9 [RSU 9] Director of Curriculum Laura Columbia will be departing from the district on June 30 to assume the role of Superintendent for Maine School Administrative District 58 [MSAD 58].

Director of Curriculum Laura Columbia sharing a strategic planning update with the board on Tuesday, Jan. 10. In the role since 2017, Columbia worked diligently with the administration through COVID-19 restrictions and multiple Superintendents. Brian Ponce/Franklin Journal

Columbia will officially assume the role on July 1, with her final day with RSU 9 slated for Friday, June 30. RSU 9 Superintendent Christian Elkington stated they will begin looking for her successor soon.

MSAD 58 is a small, rural school district that services the towns of Phillips, Avon, Kingfield, and Strong, as well as students from the unorganized territories of Madrid, Salem, and Freeman Townships and the tuitioning towns of Eustis, Carrabassett Valley, Highland Plantation, and Coplin Plantation.

A graduate from University of Maine in Farmington, Columbia earned her undergraduate degree in 2011 and followed it with her graduate degree in 2018. Originally starting out as a science teacher, Columbia taught chemistry before teaching earth science.

“I went into science because my guidance counselor told me I’d be able to get a job as a science teacher,” Columbia said. “Earth science involves a lot of human interactions and a lot of opportunities for exploring.”

Columbia said it was very applicable with kids who could learn just from being in their own backyard.

Columbia took on the role of Director of Curriculum in 2017 after the previous director departed. Initially an interim director, she assumed the role permanently in 2018.

Columbia says she is proud of the teamwork that she was a part of at the district, stating that working together helped get them “through a lot of different ups and downs.” This included adapting curriculum to COVID-19 restriction and working with several different Superintendents that have come in and out of the district.

“We’ve really worked through all the different changes as a team,” Columbia stated.

With her new role, Columbia stated that she is excited to be working in a small district that has a strong sense of community.

“I grew up rural, and value the community aspect that a rural school system has,” she said.

Columbia also hopes to have a better work/life balance with her husband and three children, one of which will be graduating from Mt. Blue High School this year.

“I really value being close to my family and being close to the school district I work in,” she said. “When this position opened up, it felt like it would be a good fit, and it’s close enough that I can really immerse myself into the culture of that district, as well as still maintaining a good working balance with my family.”

“Congratulations goes to Laura Columbia for being chosen as the new Superintendent for MSAD 58,” Elkington stated.

“We will miss her tireless efforts in support of RSU 9 students and staff but feel fortunate for the time and effort she has given us,” he continued. “We know that public education will continue to be fortunate to receive her insight, ideas, thoughts, and hard work in the new role of Superintendent. We look forward to continuing to learn from and work with her in the coming years.”

Columbia offered her own thanks to RSU 9 for everything it has offered her.

“I am forever thankful for [RSU 9] taking a risk on me,” she said. “I was coming back from maternity leave for my six-year-old. I didn’t have much experience, but they saw value in me, and they took a risk. So, I’m forever grateful for them for giving me that learning opportunity.”