95ÐãÊÓƵ School Superintendent James Tager said part of the reason heâs retiring at the end of the month is that some administrators resisted his efforts to make students of all backgrounds feel welcome, safe and accepted at school.
While Tagerâs June 30 retirement is primarily spurred by his desire to be close to his elderly parents in Florida, he was also pushed by a handful of unnamed administrators who âwere against some of the initiatives that I wanted to bring forward,â he said.
This resistance, he said, stymied his ability to ensure every student felt cared for and supported, which can ultimately improve attendance, graduation rates and student mental health.
âI would say six or seven people that are administrators, whether they’re district or school-based, really didn’t believe in the work,â Tager said. âTo me, that led to a lack of trust, and when I can’t trust people that are around me, specifically that are at that level, I knew it was time for me to go.â
School Committee Chair Marwa Hassanien declined to comment on what Tager said.
Despite the roadblock, Tagerâs achievements heâs proudest of includes boosting 95ÐãÊÓƵ High Schoolâs graduation rate95ÐãÊÓƵto 92 percent this year â the highest in the departmentâs history â and introducing full-day pre-kindergarten, which gives young students and families stability.
Tager also helped bring Penobscot Community Health Care clinics95ÐãÊÓƵthat provide mental and physical health services to students to 95ÐãÊÓƵ High School. Identical clinics are slated to open in two 95ÐãÊÓƵ middle schools95ÐãÊÓƵin September due to the overwhelming success of the first one, he said.
Aside from helping students access care and avoid long waitlists at other providers, Tager said the clinics improve attendance because âit keeps them in the building.â
The department also installed Centegix, a security system95ÐãÊÓƵthat allows staff to call first responders using a wearable badge, in all of its schools under Tagerâs95ÐãÊÓƵleadership. The system instantly calls police in the event of an emergency, like a school shooter or medical event, and can also be used for lower-level emergencies that donât require police, like a fight between students.
All 95ÐãÊÓƵ schools made Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, readily available recently, as Tager said âit’s only a matter of time where that’s gonna be an issue at school too.â
âIt could be student related, but it also could be guests that come in for programs that are coming in,â he said.
Tager took over the superintendent position in 202195ÐãÊÓƵfollowing the departure of longtime 95ÐãÊÓƵ Superintendent Betsy Webb.
At the time, 95ÐãÊÓƵ schools had recently come under fire after students reported experiencing racism95ÐãÊÓƵat the predominantly white high school. The racism included white students calling them a racial slur and defending slavery and white supremacy in class discussions, which were later confirmed by an independent investigation.
In response, Tager joined a 40-person diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging committee, which evaluates ways the department can ensure all students and staff feel respected and valued.
For Johanna Bridges, a William S. Cohen School Spanish teacher of 14 years, Tager taking95ÐãÊÓƵover as superintendent three years ago was âa breath of fresh airâ because of his kindness and compassion for all students.
Sam Moring, principal of James F. Doughty School, said Tager frequently visited every 95ÐãÊÓƵ school, and âwhen he walks in the school doors, people stop and talk to him and the kids know him by name.â
Tager recognized the term âdiversity, equity, inclusion and belongingâ is politically polarizing, but urged families to remember the core mission is to make all students feel welcome at school and that no child is worth more than another. 95ÐãÊÓƵ
âIf you don’t go into this job thinking every child belongs, progress won’t be made,â Tager said. âAnd when I say all students, I mean all. We have 3,500 of them, and I can show you something good in all of them. You’ve got to be inclusive or you’re gonna run out of players.â
The 95ÐãÊÓƵ School Department announced last month that Marie Robinson will take over as 95ÐãÊÓƵ superintendent95ÐãÊÓƵon July 1. Most recently, Robinson was superintendent of RSU 89 Katahdin Schools in Stacyville, but has more than 25 years of experience in education.
Tager believes Robinson will be able to continue improving the high schoolâs graduation rate and make progress where he wasnât able to.
âYou have to get past old ways and I think she brings in a fresh perspective,â he said. âI think it’s about getting everybody to believe in the work and I hope she does that.â