Staff Writer

Andrew Dolloff is stepping up to the plate as superintendent for Regional School Unit 21, the newly consolidated district that includes Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. 

“People have asked me, ‘Why would you want to take on a new district being formed the same day you step up as superintendent?’ But I enjoy the challenge and have faith in people,” Dolloff said. “The challenge is there, but with challenge comes opportunities.”

Dolloff, 44, has grown up in a family of education. His father was a high school principal for 30 years and his older sisters were both teachers; heading to the University of Maine at Farmington seemed to be a “natural flow.” 

After earning his bachelor’s degree in secondary education for biology and English, Dolloff taught sciences at Dirigo High School for two years. He moved on to Lewiston High School for six years, and coached basketball at both schools. Feeling “called” to leadership, Dolloff said he earned his master’s degree in educational administration in 1995 and accepted a position as assistant principal at Wiscasset High School.

Dolloff wanted to move his family closer to the Portland area, and saw a Scarborough opening for director of student activities and athletics as a good opportunity. Since accepting that position in 1995, he has worked in the Scarborough school district as high school principal, and for the past three years as assistant superintendent. 

During his six years as principal, Dolloff said his biggest contribution to the school system was hiring 58 of the 84 members of faculty currently at the high school. 

“During my time as principal, student enrollment increased 25 to 30 percent, and we were always hiring new teachers,” Dolloff said. “My biggest contribution to Scarborough was hiring exceptionally qualified staff.”

The “second biggest contribution,” Dolloff said, was fostering a culture of respect and raised expectations for staff and students. Standardized test scores for students increasing “dramatically,” Dolloff said, and the culture promoted a good environment for learning.

As student enrollment increased in Scarborough, the school more than doubled its size with a $27 million renovation, Dolloff said. At the time, it was the most expensive locally funded school construction project in the state’s history, which he said showed the community’s support of education.

“[The expansion] created a more beautiful and comfortable space,” he said. 

When Dolloff saw the opportunity to advance his career he applied for the position as RSU 21 superintendent. As the consolidated district becomes official July 1, so will Dolloff’s position. In the meantime, he said he plans to work with the district during its transition, meet people “face to face” and build trust.

“I haven’t spent much time down there, but my approach is one in which people are comfortable and trust they will be treated fairly. That comes through communication,” Dolloff said. “Being visible in those communities and at the schools. I want to be a leader they can trust.”

Dolloff, who has met with the school board during the interview process, said he already is impressed with dialogue between board members. 

“Working together this well is a good sign. They have a common goal and can find those pieces and that they have similar ideas to build on,” he said.

Dolloff said he looks forward to working with that team to bring the communities together during consolidation.

Residents in Arundel and Kennebunkport expressed concerns about the possibility of losing Mildred L. Day School and Consolidated School as a result of the consolidation. Dolloff, who was born in Maine and grew up in small communities, said he understands the desire for Arundel and Kennebunkport to maintain their elementary schools. Dolloff had planned to do a site walk of the district’s schools earlier this week and further research enrollment trends.

“I completely understand that feeling that nobody wants to lose their neighborhood school. I understand the strong connection the community has with their school and it would be the last resort for a community to give up their school,” Dolloff said. 

Following his effort to change the culture at Scarborough High School, Dolloff said fewer families elected to send their children to private schools. While he said he isn’t focusing on increasing enrollment in RSU 21, he said he wants to focus on the culture for the children and their education. 

As a father of four children, three girls in college and one boy who will be a freshman in high school, he also understands the importance of education and extracurricular activities. All of his children were very involved, and he said he anticipates “with only one at home now” his nights won’t be consumed with driving to practices. 

Dolloff cautioned state cuts to school funding will make it hard to maintain programs.

 “It’s discouraging to watch the state push funding responsibility back onto local taxpayers, but at the same time claim they are making cuts at the state level,” Dolloff said.

He said school administration will have to work hard to present the best proposal, and it will be up to the community to decide how much they are willing to spend. 

“We know how important language instruction is, but we’re the worst industrialized country in the world for producing multilingual students,” Dolloff said. “But last one in is the first one out. [language arts] will suffer, as well as enrichment programs, such as the arts and athletics.”

Despite the challenges, Dollof said he anticipates success. 

“It’s been a positive experience through the interview process. I think we’ll get off on a good foot,” Dolloff said. 

Staff writer Emma Bouthillette can be reached at 282-4337 ext. 237.