Katrina Kane Named Ellsworth’s New Superintendent of Schools

The Interim Superintendent of Schools for Ellsworth, Katrina Kane has been hired to be the new full-time Superintendent of Schools effective July 1, 2022. Kane who is the Superintendent of Schools for Lamoine and Hancock had assumed the Interim role in Ellsworth when Dan Higgins resigned in December of 2021.

Kelly McKenney the Chair of the Ellsworth School Board sent out the following email to staff on Friday, April 15th.

"Happy Friday and Happy April Vacation! I would like to thank each and every one of you. I know it’s been “a year”! I won’t pretend I know what it’s been like to walk in your shoes this past year, but I know this has been a time like no other. In addition to all the challenges that came with COVID, masking, political divide, and behaviors, we have not had a full-time superintendent since December. It’s been extremely difficult and I thank you for showing up every day and doing your best to support and educate our students. That being said, I have some good news for you all!

Although circumstances did not support a superintendent search committee that included staff and community members, we considered the feedback you and the community provided through surveys and open discussion very seriously. You asked for our next superintendent to be a strong educational leader who will guide our district to excellence through respectful communication, fostering and strengthening positive relationships, accountability, and having a solid curriculum background.

I am happy and honored to announce that Katrina Kane will be the next superintendent of the Ellsworth School Department, commencing July 1st, 2022, contingent upon board action at our next meeting. We are confident that Katrina will lead our district forward with the highest level of integrity, educational vision, and respectfulness towards administrators, teachers, support staff, children and their families, and our entire community. Something Katrina said in her interview has stuck with me: “You can teach skill, but you can’t teach attitude.” Although Katrina is very well-educated and extremely knowledgeable regarding pedagogy, leadership, strategic planning, curriculum, negotiations, finance, and operations, her biggest gift is who she is as a person. She exudes kindness, calmness, and characteristics that will serve to create a healthy, happy climate across our school district.

Please enjoy a well-deserved vacation, and come back with confidence in the future of Ellsworth schools. We are headed in a good direction. Thank you again for all that you do!"