CHELSEA — Two staff members from Windsor Elementary School are taking on administrative roles elsewhere in Regional School Unit 12.

Josh McNaughton, previously the assistant principal at Windsor Elementary, is the new Whitefield Elementary principal, succeeding Ron Cote, who retired.

Tom Toner, meanwhile, received a promotion from Windsor technology coordinator to technology manager for RSU 12. He will replace Diana Sommers, who retired.

While at Windsor Elementary, McNaughton was heavily involved with developing the district’s emergency response plans and in implementing instructional programs such as accelerated reader, accelerated math and response to intervention.

He hopes to expand those programs and the attendant incentives to all grades at Whitefield.

“Especially the accelerated reading, I want to get staff involved with that, so the students can see that reading is a lifelong thing, not just something to do while they’re in school,” McNaughton said.

McNaughton, 32, lives in Windsor with his wife and 16-month-old daughter.

RSU 12 Superintendent Greg Potter said McNaughton’s priorities match the board and administration’s vision for the district.

“We really want to continue to foster a very student-centered approach,” he said. “We want to be able to provide a safe, nurturing, enjoyable environment for our kids. We want to be able to help support them in their learning needs on a very individual basis.”

When looking for a technology manager, Potter said, the board had to find someone who can work will several different systems. In a school district, technology serves both educational and back-office functions.

The new Chelsea Elementary School provides a glimpse of the district’s future in technology, Potter said, including interactive whiteboards in nearly every instructional space and iPads for students.

“We definitely need to maximize the use of our existing resources but also be sort of on the cutting edges, as well, in terms of being able to provide those things to our folks,” Potter said.

Toner hopes to expand student access to computers. Wiscasset High School has a 1:1 ratio, he said, but that should be extended down to the late elementary grades.

Toner will be based in the central office in Chelsea but plans to spend a lot of time in the school buildings in Alna, Palermo, Somerville, Westport Island, Windsor, Whitefield and Wiscasset.

“I want to be in the schools, helping secretaries and principals with the things they need help with,” he said. “I want to set aside time to travel around to all the schools every week.”

Susan McMillan — 621-5645

smcmillan@mainetoday.com

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