Kady Gould has been named superintendent of the Gardiner-area school district on July 1. Gould, who is now principal at Helen Thompson School in West Gardiner, started her career as an educational technician in the district at the now-closed T.C. Hamlin School. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

GARDINER — Kady Gould started her teaching career as an education technician 16 years ago in the Gardiner-area schools, and on July 1, she will become the district’s superintendent.

While Gould never intended to become an administrative leader, she realized as she progressed through her career that it’s where her passion lies.

Superintendent Patricia Hopkins, who is stepping down in June, said she recognized Gould’s determination and skill from the start.

“When I hired her as a building principal, I quickly recognized her exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication — qualities essential for an effective superintendent,” Hopkins said. “I couldn’t be happier that she is my replacement. Her deep knowledge of the district will allow her to hit the ground running, significantly reducing the typical learning curve and enabling her to advance the school board’s strategic plan from day one.” 

The Maine School Administrative District 11 board of directors unanimously approved Gould’s appointment March 6.

After starting her career as an ed tech at the now-closed T.C. Hamlin School in Randolph, Gould moved on to Regional School Unit 74 in Somerset County, where she worked as a teacher and had the opportunity to take on leadership roles as the math team leader, helping to score state testing, among other things.

She returned to the Gardiner area nine years ago, taking on the principal’s job at Helen Thompson School. When Hopkins announced in December she would retire, Gould said she wanted to take a leap.

“I thought about what we were looking for and what we needed to carry over the great work we have happening (under Hopkins),” Gould said.  “But (I was) also thinking about how the needs of staff and students are changing, and as a result of what students need, it became clear to me that I wanted to apply. It allows me to be invested with the current school community and engage in the big-picture system work.”

The MSAD 11 school board and Gould agreed to a one-year contract, typical for a new superintendent, with a salary of $152,359.

Gould grew up in the Gardiner area and attended Lyndon State College in Vermont for her bachelor’s degree. She earned her master’s degree and certificate in advanced study for educational leadership at the University of New England. She is married with two children; her husband also attended Gardiner-area schools.

As superintendent, Gould said she will draw from her work experiences to meet her goals of following the district’s strategic plan, ensuring students have the best curriculum; hiring quality educators, as she said MSAD 11 is known to do; creating student growth and action steps for their learning; and focusing on the needs of students and staff, both in learning and in their mental health.

Gould knows that she’s in for a challenge as superintendent, and wants to take on her role with the greatest transparency possible.

Gould said she knows for sure that she and the community have a similar focus: for students to come to school and have a positive experience.

“I can’t state enough how important it is to come to the table together,” she said. “Our best work will not happen when it’s an argument, or misunderstanding, and refusal to listen. I am proud of the commitment in this district to making the best decisions we can for students while remaining committed to the fiscal commitment of running six buildings.”