Parents, kids rally around interim principal

There's a move afoot to keep Interim Principal Chuck Mills at MES. (Lebanon Voice file photo)

MILTON - More than a dozen Milton parents of schoolchildren as well as community members went before the School Board and SAU #64 administrators last night to advocate for the retention of Interim Principal Chuck Mills at the Milton Elementary School.

SAU #64 Superintendent Jay McIntire said he welcomed the visitors and commended them for their enthusiasm and willingness to get involved.

In all, some 15 attendees were given a chance to voice their opinions on why Mills’ position should be made permanent. A fifth-grader also spoke in support of Mills.

Mills came on the job last fall after former Milton Elementary School Principal Polly Golden abruptly resigned to take a position with the Manchester School District shortly after the academic year began.

Mills was hired on an interim basis, but many parents believe he has been a huge benefit to the school and created a more open forum for the community and students’ parents to get involved.

McIntire, himself, has lauded Mills’ anti-bullying efforts.

Some in the community have started a Facebook page dedicated to keeping Mills at MES.

The “We Support Chuck Mills” Facebook page began Sunday and has been a hubbub of activity ever since.

McIntire has said he hopes to nominate a new candidate for the job on June 12 after a previous deal fell through when the candidate backed out after being hired.

McIntire has maintained his sole intention is to provide the best nominee for the position he can find.

He has said if that doesn’t happen by July 1 when he moves on to a new position, himself, it will be up to incoming superintendent Michael Tursi to finish the job.