Two former principals will return to the classroom next fall as Edgecomb Eddy School teachers. On July 10, the Edgecomb School Committee approved hiring Kate Race and Ryan Patrie as first-year probationary elementary school teachers. Race of Woolwich will teach fifth and sixth grades. She previusly served as Medomak Middle School principal. Patrie, of Lisbon, will teach first grade. He previously served as a Falmouth Elementary School principal. 

Race has over 35 years as an educator. She spent the last 15 years as a principal and previously taught grades three, four and five. Race told school committee members she believed now was a good time to transition back into teaching. “I’ve missed it,” she said. “I’ve missed being around kids and having a homeroom. I’ve also missed conversations with colleagues about teaching.”

Race may bring a special assistant into her classroom next year. She owns a certified therapy dog. School officials will review the building policy regarding therapy animals next month.

Patrie worked as a teacher for 10 years before becoming a school principal. Patrie told committee members during the pandemic he realized how much he missed teaching. “With his experience, Ryan is a perfect fit for first grade,” Principal Tom Landberg said. Both Race and Patrie have earned a doctorate in education.

The committee also approved Gary Upham for a first-year probationary teaching contract as a three-day per week guidance counselor. Superintendent Bob Kahler also introduced Rebecca Gray as a social worker who will split time between Edgecomb Eddy and Georgetown Central School. Gray will spend three days per week in Edgecomb and two in Georgetown. 

In other action, the committee received Nicole Ellis’ resignation. Ellis has taken a teaching job at Great Salt Bay Elementary School in Damariscotta.

The committee meets next at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14. Chairman Heather Sinclair proposed hearing an update on the school’s protocol for handling an active shooter. Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Director of Safety Kyle Canada is expected to update the committee about ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training. The program provides an option-based response to students and staff against active shooters who have gained entrance into a school.  

Sinclair also proposed holding a workshop to “take a deep dive” into last year’s budget.