"I have come to the realization that my work here at school is over," Booker's letter said, in part. "I made a promise to myself and to Ralph Ryder, the superintendent who hired me 28 years ago, that I would know when the time came for me to leave and that time has come. Everything has come together as deciding factors and I am frustrated with my ineffectiveness. I feel it is in the best interest of this school for me to give you my 60-day notice."

Booker was on short-term medical leave earlier this fall and only recently returned to work full-time. Her duties had been split between Assistant Principal Cory Smith and Guidance Counselor David C. Morrill.

But her resignation apparently caught many by surprise after she announced her plans at a staff meeting Monday afternoon. "I regret she has to leave but I respect her decision. I had a glimmer of hope for awhile that she'd stay but things didn't come together," said Pound. "We should accept her resignation as requested, but with regret."

Committee Chairman Richard Gould, a former Greenville teacher, also said he was sorry to see Booker leave. "I remember when you first came here. You've done an outstanding job, in my opinion," said Gould.

Booker said, however, that despite having "the most incredible professional life any one person could have," resigning was the best decision. "I'm not leaving town, by the way - at least not yet," said Booker, who declined to reveal her future plans.

The veteran educator was appointed principal in August 1999 after the resignation of Mike Marcinkus during a rather stormy period in the school system's history. Both Marcinkus and former Superintendent Joan R. Mills were employed at Union 60 for about two years before they both departed at approximately the same time.

After they left, the Union 60 Board of Directors enacted a mandatory residency requirement for the principal and superintendent, requiring them to move to the region within six months after they were hired. Marcinkus maintained his residence in Blue Hill and Mills' home was in Hancock.

Booker, a longtime Greenville resident, was considered a popular choice for principal since she taught in the school system for more than 25 years and also served as athletic director for awhile.

But now, as Booker put it in her letter of resignation, "I have enjoyed the best occupation of all and have wept for the sheer joy of sharing that experience with them and you. However, it is time for the younger generation to pick up the challenge and go for it."

The Greenville School Committee confirmed two coaching appointments at Monday night's meeting following the recommendation of Pound and Athletic Director Jeff Stafford. Carl Mason, the girls varsity basketball coach, will also take over the middle school boys' "A" team; and Luke Muzzy, a former middle school girls' "B" team coach, will move to the girls "A" team this season.

Stafford said that Mason assured him that they would be no conflict between the varsity and middle school schedules this year. "We're fortunate that we've got someone like Carl to take this program over. Luke also brings a lot of experience to the team. It's a natural progression for him," said Stafford.

Mason replaces Brian Morrill, who moved up as boys' varsity coach this year; Muzzy succeeds co-coaches Woody and Lisa Bartley, who recently resigned.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Moosehead Messenger and is used here with permission."