LEWISTON — After years of going without, the city’s School Department has an assistant superintendent.

Monday night the School Committee voted to promote Thomas Jarvis to assistant superintendent. Jarvis has been human resources director.

The promotion takes effect immediately, but a pay raise will wait until July 1, Superintendent Bill Webster said.

On July 1, Jarvis’ salary will go from the current $77,000 to $90,000, Webster said.

While the School Department is creating a new position, it will not be an extra one, because the new Human Resources Director Jackie Little will be shared by the city of Lewiston and the School Department, Webster said.

The city’s former human resources director, whose salary was over $80,000, retired and was not replaced, Webster said.

The title of assistant superintendent hasn’t existed in Lewiston for years, “but that doesn’t mean the responsibilities weren’t there,” Webster said. “We still needed someone to act on the behalf of the superintendent, and Tom has filled that role.”

Curriculum Director Janice Plourde has also filled that role, and is retiring this spring. “It is the right time to bring the recognition of Tom’s capabilities of what he’s already doing.”

The School Department is among the largest in Maine, “and needs to have a second person,” Webster said.

— Bonnie Washuk