Cape superintendent to retire Dec. 31
By David Harry
Staff Writer
Saying he was at the right age to retire, Cape Elizabeth School Superintendent Alan Hawkins announced Tuesday night he will step down later this year.
Hawkins, 63, offered to stay on as a part-time consultant until April 15, 2011, and will retire Dec. 31.
When he retires, Hawkins will have been superintendent for almost six years in Cape Elizabeth. School Board members Kathy Ray and Linda Winker praised Hawkins’ work at length as the board unanimously accepted the resignation and consultation offer.
Ray made note of the work Hawkins put into creating job descriptions for each position in the school system.
“I have been very impressed that Alan has the strong leadership skills to be able to accomplish these things,” she said. “He has been instrumental in hiring superior teachers as long-experienced teachers have left the system.
Hawkins, who has been in education for 42 years and was superintendent of schools in Wiscasset before coming to Cape Elizabeth. He said instituting coordinated curriculum throughout the schools and creating budgets attuned to needs of students and taxpayers were accomplishments he treasured.
Winker said his work and enthusiasm were not easily summarized.
“Your dedication and integrity stretches way beyond the scope of my comments,” she said.
A genealogist and avid book collector, Hawkins said he’ll have plenty to fill his time when he retires, but he will remain involved in education.
A resident of South Portland, Hawkins’ wife, Margaret Hawkins, is principal at Brown Elementary School, and Hawkins was once principal at Memorial Middle School in South Portland.
“He has a list a mile long of things to do,” she said.
His experience in three school districts reinforced the need to be aware of the special characteristics of each one, Hawkins said. He said that when he was superintendent in Wiscasset, the district struggled with the closure of Maine Yankee nuclear power plant and a loss of tax revenue for schools.
Because Cape Elizabeth has always been a high-performing district with big expectations of student performance, Hawkins said his role was to maintain and build on tradition.
“Although each job I have held has left me with its own special memories, I especially cherish my experience here in Cape Elizabeth. I have been so very fortunate to work with a terrific group of people who, despite tough economic times, strive to breathe life into our mission and vision statements,” he wrote in his retirement letter.
Board members John C. Christie III and Mary K. Williams-Hewitt praised Hawkins for his help and guidance as they embarked on their first terms as board members.
“What strikes me more than anything is your commitment to students,” Christie said. “It is an inspiration to see in my short service.”
Hawkins advised his successor to learn about how town government works and the ins and outs of the budgeting process in addition to knowing about the district operations.
“Know your district – the needs are different,” he said.
Ray, a Cape Elizabeth native, said Hawkins’ knowledge and skills are evident.
“Cape Elizabeth was an excellent public school when I attended and is a better school system thanks to Alan Hawkins,” she said.
Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219
Staff Writer
Saying he was at the right age to retire, Cape Elizabeth School Superintendent Alan Hawkins announced Tuesday night he will step down later this year.
Hawkins, 63, offered to stay on as a part-time consultant until April 15, 2011, and will retire Dec. 31.
When he retires, Hawkins will have been superintendent for almost six years in Cape Elizabeth. School Board members Kathy Ray and Linda Winker praised Hawkins’ work at length as the board unanimously accepted the resignation and consultation offer.
Ray made note of the work Hawkins put into creating job descriptions for each position in the school system.
“I have been very impressed that Alan has the strong leadership skills to be able to accomplish these things,” she said. “He has been instrumental in hiring superior teachers as long-experienced teachers have left the system.
Hawkins, who has been in education for 42 years and was superintendent of schools in Wiscasset before coming to Cape Elizabeth. He said instituting coordinated curriculum throughout the schools and creating budgets attuned to needs of students and taxpayers were accomplishments he treasured.
Winker said his work and enthusiasm were not easily summarized.
“Your dedication and integrity stretches way beyond the scope of my comments,” she said.
A genealogist and avid book collector, Hawkins said he’ll have plenty to fill his time when he retires, but he will remain involved in education.
A resident of South Portland, Hawkins’ wife, Margaret Hawkins, is principal at Brown Elementary School, and Hawkins was once principal at Memorial Middle School in South Portland.
“He has a list a mile long of things to do,” she said.
His experience in three school districts reinforced the need to be aware of the special characteristics of each one, Hawkins said. He said that when he was superintendent in Wiscasset, the district struggled with the closure of Maine Yankee nuclear power plant and a loss of tax revenue for schools.
Because Cape Elizabeth has always been a high-performing district with big expectations of student performance, Hawkins said his role was to maintain and build on tradition.
“Although each job I have held has left me with its own special memories, I especially cherish my experience here in Cape Elizabeth. I have been so very fortunate to work with a terrific group of people who, despite tough economic times, strive to breathe life into our mission and vision statements,” he wrote in his retirement letter.
Board members John C. Christie III and Mary K. Williams-Hewitt praised Hawkins for his help and guidance as they embarked on their first terms as board members.
“What strikes me more than anything is your commitment to students,” Christie said. “It is an inspiration to see in my short service.”
Hawkins advised his successor to learn about how town government works and the ins and outs of the budgeting process in addition to knowing about the district operations.
“Know your district – the needs are different,” he said.
Ray, a Cape Elizabeth native, said Hawkins’ knowledge and skills are evident.
“Cape Elizabeth was an excellent public school when I attended and is a better school system thanks to Alan Hawkins,” she said.
Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219
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