Thompson chosen Lisbon schools chief

LISBON -- Longtime educator Donald Thompson has been named superintendent of Lisbon schools.
Thompson had served as interim superintendent since mid-August after the resignation of former Superintendent Charles McShane. McShane resigned after charges of theft of public funds.
Thompson, 46, has spent 25 years in education, beginning in the nearby Southern School District as a health and physical education teacher for 10 years. He then moved to the Lisbon school system where he taught for five years and served six years as assistant high school principal and athletics director and three years as high school principal.
Thompson completed his course requirements for the superintendent's license last year and was issued a license, effective July 1 this year.
The board of education unanimously agreed Monday to offer Thompson a nearly three-year pact until July 31, 2006. District Teasurer Cynthia Altomare said Thompson will earn $80,727 the first year, with administrative salaries for the remaining two years to be determined next spring after teachers contract negotiations.
In accepting the top post, Thompson had to resign as high school principal. The board then tabbed assistant high school principal Donald Mook as an interim principal until a permanent replacement can be found. Altomare said there will be no pay adjustment made at this time for Mook.
In other matters, the board approved the purchase of property at 427 E. Chestnut St. for $78,000. The home, owned by Sam Campanelli, will eventually be razed in order to make way for improvements at McKinley Elementary School.