The Board of Directors of Regional School Unit 40 said Jan. 27 that was pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Welch as the district’s next Superintendent of Schools. 

The Board selected Welch following a comprehensive search process, according to a news release from the district.

"Throughout the process, he stood out for his experience in educational leadership and his ability to work effectively with school boards and leadership teams, and his strong commitment to collaboration with staff, families, and community partners," the release said.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dan Welch to RSU 40,” said Danny Jackson, Chair of the RSU 40 Board of Directors. “Dan demonstrated a thoughtful understanding of our district, a clear commitment to education, and a collaborative leadership style. We are confident he will serve our students, staff, and communities well.”

Welch was hired with a two-year contract, with a first-year salary of $150,000.

"Mr. Welch brings a strong professional background in educational leadership, working in Maine schools since 2003," the release said.

He currently serves as Head of School at George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill, where, for the past two years, he led efforts focused on academic program development, financial stability, and community engagement. Prior to that, he worked as the Chief Financial Officer at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield.

According to Welch's Linked-in page, he was Head of School at GSA since July 2024. Prior to that, he was CFO at MCI from June 2021 to June 2024. From August 2009 to June 2020, he was principal at Boothbay Region High School, and before that, he was Assistant Head of School at Washington Academny from July 2006 to June 2009. He earned a master's of education, educational leadership and administration from UMaine in 2004, and a certificate of advanced graduate studies in ethics, leadership and change from the University of New England in 2013.

“It is an honor to be selected as the next Superintendent of RSU 40,” Welch said, in the release. “I am looking forward to getting to know the students, staff, families, and community members who make this district strong. RSU 40 has a deep sense of community and a clear commitment to its students, and I am excited to build on that foundation together.”

He, his wife Mylissa, and their family have resided in the Boothbay region since 2009, where he served as the high school principal for 11 years. 

According to the Rising Tide, a media outlet that covers Blue Hill, news of Welch's departure there was learned only after RSU 40 had circulated its news release Jan. 27.

Opportunities for RSU 40 staff and community members to meet with him will be shared as his start date of July 2026 approaches, the release said.

RSU 40 serves the communities of Friendship, Union, Waldoboro, Warren, and Washington. Schools include Medomak Valley High School,  Medomak Valley Middle School and Miller Elementary School, all in Waldoboro; as well as Warren Community School, in Warren; Prescott Memorial School, in Washington; Union Elementary School, in Union; Friendship Village School, in Friendship; and Rivers Alternative Middle School, in Union.

Thomas Ambrose is the current acting Interim Superintendent of Schools for RSU 40.