MIDDLEBURY — Patrick Reen can officially take the word “interim” off his title as principal of Middlebury Union Middle School. Reen recently signed a two-year contract to serve as the school’s leader following a search that drew 36 applicants.
Reen had been serving as MUMS’ interim leader since last March, following the sudden resignation of Principal Inga Duktig. The UD-3 school board ordered a search for a permanent replacement, and Reen — who had served as assistant principal prior to his impromptu promotion — was among those who applied for the job.
Reen, 33, was hired as assistant principal at MUMS in 2008 after teaching at Bristol Elementary School for the previous six years.
A search committee headed by Vicki Wells, the Addison Central Supervisory Union’s director of student services, reviewed 36 applications for MUMS’s top job and held face-to-face interviews with the most promising candidates. Ultimately, the committee on Dec. 18 forwarded one clear-cut finalist to the UD-3 board for consideration: Reen.
“He had the qualities the committee was looking for,” Wells said.
Those qualities, she said, included experience as an administrator at the middle school level; understanding of the Common Core state standards for public education; espousing a philosophy of ensuring that all students have access to the school curriculum; having a proven leadership style; and experience in preparing a budget.
Reen was very pleased to be offered the job.
“I am thrilled to know that I will be able to continue working at and leading one of the best middle schools in one of the best supervisory unions in the state of Vermont,” Reen said. “It is also exciting to be able to continue working at a school that is so well supported by the community and so committed to doing what is best for kids. Due to the incredibly professional and dedicated staff here at MUMS and in ACSU, I have seen MUMS make incredible growth in the four-and-a-half years I have been here and am thankful to be able to help lead it as it continues to grow in the future. It really is a great place for kids and a great place to work.”
Reen’s hiring is the latest in a series of new administrative hires for the ACSU schools and central office during the past year. The ACSU continues its search for a new superintendent.
Reporter John Flowers is at [email protected].