As the  2019-20 school year winds to a close, in Edgecomb, it’s more of an end of an era than the end of school. This school year marked the 30th and last one for Administrative Assistant Judy Reid. In February 1990, Reid began her tenure answering a plea from former Edgecomb Eddy School principal Joyce Sirois who lost her secretary midway in the school year. Reid had two kids in kindergarten and first grade at the school. She was a housewife who hadn’t been a member of the workforce in 12 years. She was reluctant to take the job. “I told her I didn’t even know how to turn on a computer,” but Reid was told that was OK because Sirois really needed the help. 

Teacher Terry Mulligan gave her a short computer tutorial teaching her how to turn it on and work the mouse. So Reid began her new job. Her computer skills improved in the summer as she took it home and studied how to better use the technological advancement in her job. She read a couple of computer books which helped her become more proficient.

“I could do most things without it, but I found it was easier with a computer. One of the first things I did with a computer is make a spreadsheet for the lunch program which I still use,” she said. 

As the years went by, Reid progressed in her new career and became an administrative assistant. Her responsibilities include keeping track of students enrolling at or leaving the school, monitoring the school’s Power School program and serving as a liaison between students, staff, parents and administration. Three years ago, Ira Michaud started as principal. Michaud quickly learned Reid played a major role in the school’s operation. Michaud described her as the “heart of the school” in how she manages her job with a diverse population of young students and adults. He recalled how several times a student entered the central office and Michaud said good morning to the student who didn’t respond. Reid would remind them how it was good manners to respond. “She shows how much she cares about students and education on a daily basis,” Michaud said. 

Reid hasn’t spent much time at the school since March due to the coronavirus. She performed most of her duties at home since Edgecomb Eddy and Maine’s other schools adopted social distance learning. But June 5 is the last day of school, and it will be Reid’s final day on the job. Reid is looking forward to retirement. Her favorite pastimes are swimming, gardening, walking and spending time with her grandchildren. And she plans on spending a lot time do each activity.  Reid has four grandchildren and will welcome her fifth in the next few days. “I’m looking forward to retirement. I rarely have a problem finding something to do, and we have another grandson on the way. So this is a great time,” she said. 

The western Pennsylvania native moved to New Hampshire nearly four decades ago when the steel industry took a major hit during a recession. “My brother urged me to move to New Hampshire because the economy was better. I met my husband and a few years later we moved to Maine,” she said. Her husband Rick had a family connection to Maine and they moved to Edgecomb.

The main reason Reid stayed so long as administrative assistant was simple. “I’ve always loved my job and never thought of it as work. I never really thought about working here for 30 years. I just knew I’d retire when the time was right, and now is the right time.”