Superintendent Pat Hopkins listens during the public comment period of a Sept. 5 Maine School Administrative District 11 School Board meeting in Gardiner. Hopkins, who has led Gardiner-area schools since 2010, submitted her resignation Thursday night, effective June 30, 2025. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

GARDINER — Patricia Hopkins, longtime superintendent of Maine School Administrative District 11, submitted her resignation to the School Board Thursday night, a year before her contract expires.

The resignation is effective June 30, 2025. In her resignation letter, Hopkins said she wants to spend more time with her aging parents.

Hopkins has been superintendent in MSAD 11, which includes the communities of Gardiner, Pittston, Randolph and West Gardiner, since 2010. Prior to that, she was superintendent of the Five Town Community School District in Camden and Rockport.

The School Board unanimously accepted her resignation following an executive session that followed Thursday’s school board meeting.

“The decision to conclude my career a year earlier than originally planned stems from the need for greater flexibility in my schedule to care for my aging parents,” Hopkins wrote in her letter. “This choice follows 39 deeply rewarding years in education, including 24 years as a superintendent, with the past 15 years dedicated to serving the MSAD 11 community. It has been a privilege to work alongside such talented educators, staff, students, families and colleagues who make this district truly exceptional.”

This year has already proven to be challenging for Hopkins, as she navigated an abundance of Freedom of Access Act requests from political organizations about a school district policy that allows transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice. The debate over the issue has led to a tense year of School Board meetings, including Thursday night’s meeting, which had the school board divided over a proposal for a school-based health center.

Hopkins’ resignation was on the agenda for approval under an executive session prior to the meeting.

School board member Anthony Veit motioned to accept Hopkins’ resignation, with regret, he said.

“This is something I do reluctantly,” Veit said. “I think Pat, you did a great job celebrating your accomplishments as a team and the leadership you provided, and I think this is also you growing as a person. You listened to us and (board Chairwoman) Becky (Fles) about taking time off and that’s what you are doing now. I really appreciate the leadership you provided.”

The resignation letter noted Hopkins’ accomplishments during her time as superintendent, including the creation of a comprehensive teacher and administrator evaluation system, the implementation of research-based curriculum that brought students back to pre-pandemic levels, and other achievements, including the Tiger Food Pantry and establishment of several clubs for students.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served this district and for the support I have received from the majority of board members, our faculty, and our community over the years,” Hopkins wrote in the letter. “While I look forward to spending more time with my family and pursuing personal interests, I will always cherish my years here and remain committed to supporting a smooth transition.”