!["A great honor:" Superintendent Dr. Terri Cooper sends message to RSU 21 Community]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741877699/rsu21net/bwgc2feswkesoxdd3dbe/DrCooper.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741877699/rsu21net/bwgc2feswkesoxdd3dbe/DrCooper.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741877699/rsu21net/bwgc2feswkesoxdd3dbe/DrCooper.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1741877699/rsu21net/bwgc2feswkesoxdd3dbe/DrCooper.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1741877699/rsu21net/bwgc2feswkesoxdd3dbe/DrCooper.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1741877699/rsu21net/bwgc2feswkesoxdd3dbe/DrCooper.jpg","width":2200}])
Dear RSU 21 Community,
It is with mixed emotions that I write to inform you of my decision to transition out of my role as Superintendent of RSU 21. My last day will be August 31, 2025. This announcement was made at the School Board meeting on March 12, 2025.
Serving this district has been a great honor. I am deeply proud of the work that has been done since 2020. Together, we have raised academic achievement, expanded programs, and successfully navigated numerous challenges. I am immensely proud of our collective work to provide students with an exceptional education.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to our staff, administrators, board members, families, and community partners for your trust and support. To our students—you are the heart of everything we do, and watching you grow has been my greatest joy.
The School Board will soon begin the search for a new superintendent. I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and will work closely with the board and leadership team in the coming months to maintain district momentum and stability.
While change can be challenging, I am confident that RSU 21 will continue to progress in academics and operations, and that the district's commitment to educational excellence will remain unwavering. I look forward to supporting this transition and to celebrating all that lies ahead for our wonderful school community.
Warmly,
Dr. Cooper
Below is the full statement from RSU 21 Board of Directors Chair Matthew Stratford:
"I want to share an important update regarding our superintendent, Dr. Terri Cooper. Recently, Dr. Cooper approached the Board and indicated that she wanted to discuss transitioning from her role as RSU 21's superintendent, in part to return to her home in North Carolina, where many members of her family, including her parents, still live. Dr. Cooper and the Board have mutually agreed that she will conclude her tenure at the end of this school year. Dr. Cooper joined RSU 21 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating unprecedented challenges while helping the district make meaningful strides in several key areas over the past 4 1/2 years.
Her employment with the district will conclude this summer, and she has agreed to work with us to ensure a smooth and orderly transition. The Board is grateful for her commitment to RSU 21 and appreciates her willingness to support this process in the months ahead.
As we move forward, the Board will begin the process of identifying new leadership for RSU 21, and the community can expect to hear more from us soon regarding next steps. Throughout this transition, both the Board and Dr. Cooper remain focused on minimizing any impact on student learning and ensuring continued progress for the district.
On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Dr. Cooper for her service, and we certainly wish her the absolute best in the future. We also look forward to working with her for the remainder of her tenure."