Turner-area’s Cari Medd named Superintendent of the Year

Cari Medd Honored as Maine School Superintendent of the Year

The Maine School Superintendent’s Association announced on Wednesday that Cari Medd, the superintendent of Maine School Administrative District 52, has been named the organization’s 2027 Superintendent of the Year. The award was presented at the opening of the association’s annual meeting in Augusta, where educators from across the state gathered to celebrate leadership and progress in education.

Medd, a longtime educator from Hebron, has spent 33 years serving Western Maine in a variety of roles—including teacher, principal, and superintendent. She began her career after earning a teaching certificate and a master’s degree from Harvard University. She taught social studies and coached field hockey at Leavitt Area High School in Turner for seven years before moving to Poland Regional High School as principal in 1999. She returned to MSAD 52, the district that serves Greene, Leeds and Turner, in 2022.

During her tenure as superintendent, Medd has focused on improving student behavior, reducing suspensions, and expanding support for students with disabilities. Her district implemented comprehensive training in Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and increased education on tobacco and drug use. As a result, suspensions in the district fell by 45% in recent years. In addition, MSAD 52 has increased co‑teaching and mainstream inclusion for students with disabilities, partnering with the University of Maine System at two elementary schools to give those students more opportunities to learn alongside their peers.

“Through increased training in Positive Behavior Interventions and Support and more education around tobacco and drug use, suspensions in the district have fallen by 45% in recent years,” the association’s release noted, underscoring the tangible impact of Medd’s strategies.

Medd has also championed transparency and collaboration. She has worked with community leaders to create a more open budget‑development process that incorporates local feedback. The district’s leadership team, comprising six principals and administrators, has been described by Medd as “rock stars,” highlighting her appreciation for the teamwork that supports students, staff and schools.

Comments from district stakeholders echo her reputation for strong, student‑centered leadership. Michelle Hathaway, a parent, wrote on the district’s Parent Connection page, “Cari took a district that had struggled during Covid, had endured years of facility neglect and stagnant review of curriculum and learning standards. Although there is work to do, she has navigated tumultuous community difference, advocated for increased student opportunity and re‑ignited focus on curriculum and educational practice.” Crystal Marie added, “When Superintendent Medd was hired to our district, I was concerned. She was going to be a brand new superintendent who would need to hire a business manager, a transportation director, a facilities director, and three principals, plus various teaching positions. She has built an incredible team around her and has very high expectations.”

Assistant Superintendent Theresa Gillis praised Medd’s participative and student‑centered style, describing her as “forward‑thinking” and “committed to ensuring purposeful improvement in all departments.” District board chair Peter Ricker wrote, “I have known and worked with many school administrators over the years, and I can say without a doubt that Cari is one of the best. She has performed her duties as a superintendent in the most professional and level‑headed manner.” Eileen King, president of the Maine School Superintendents Association, commended Medd’s professionalism, strong community ties, and her leadership in creating a safe, trusting environment that enhances student learning.

The award recognizes Medd’s dedication to student well‑being and achievement, her innovative leadership, and the measurable gains her district has achieved under her guidance. As the 2027 Superintendent of the Year, she joins a distinguished line of Maine educators who have shaped the state’s educational landscape.