WINDSOR — The Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union Board voted unanimously on Monday night to offer the permanent position of superintendent to Christine Bourne, who currently is serving in the role on an interim basis, according to a post on the district’s website.

Bourne, a Cornish resident who previously served as the principal of Hartland Elementary School, has been in the interim position since former Superintendent David Baker left for another job last summer. She is slated to begin in the permanent role on July 1.

“… It is obvious that she cares deeply for kids and is committed to the communities that make up Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union (Windsor, West Windsor, Weathersfield, and Hartland),” Amy McMullen, the supervisory union board’s chairwoman, said in a Tuesday email. She noted that a community survey also showed Bourne has wide community support.

Bourne has been “an integral voice” in developing a strategic plan and she is prepared to face challenges as the supervisory union continues its equity work, which includes adopting and implementing culturally responsive curriculum, McMullen said.

“As a Board, we are excited to have a strong, dedicated and courageous leader to help us navigate the challenges facing public schools,” McMullen said.

While the superintendent search committee had initially planned to bring forward candidates to meet with the community before interviewing with the board, the board opted to move forward with Bourne as the sole candidate last week when it learned that she was a finalist for a position elsewhere, according to an update to the community the supervisory union’s board chairs sent out last Friday.

The search committee initially screened 14 applications for the position, according to last week’s message. As advertised, the job will pay between $135,000 and $150,000 annually.

McMullen has been charged with negotiating a multi-year contract with Bourne, according to the web post.

Nora Doyle-Burr can be reached at ndoyleburr@vnews.com or 603-727-3213.

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