For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Oyster River Superintendent Named New Hampshire Superintendent of the Year

DURHAM — The New Hampshire School Administrators Association, in coordination with the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), has announced that Oyster River Cooperative School District (ORCSD) Superintendent Dr. James Morse has been named the New Hampshire Superintendent of the Year for 2018.

Morse will be formally recognized during the AASA National Conference on Education in Nashville on Feb. 15-17. He was selected for the honor by a panel of his peers and from a distinguished group of nominees.

“As board chair for much of Dr. Morse’s time at ORCSD, I have had a ringside seat to watch his leadership style. Several of his qualities continually shine through, including his good sense and judgment,” ORCSD School Board Chair Thomas Newkirk said. “In good times and tough times, Dr. Morse always conveys a sense of possibility. I always leave his office feeling energized, hopeful and fortunate to be working with him.”

Morse holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education, both from the University of Maine, and a doctorate in education from Sarasota University. He started his administrative career in Regional School Unit 3 in Unity, Maine, as an elementary school principal. Morse was then selected by Limestone Public Schools to serve as middle/high school principal and was later appointed as superintendent of Limestone schools.

He then went on to serve as superintendent for Regional School Unit 18 in Oakland, Maine for 12 years before becoming superintendent in Portland, Maine. Morse then joined the Oyster River Cooperative School District, where he has been superintendent since 2012.

“I have worked with several supervisors whom I considered excellent,” retired ORCSD Principal Dennis Harrington said. “Jim Morse is above excellent. He is honest and both supports and challenges all who work around him.”

Morse currently is an executive board member of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association, serves on the executive board of Strafford Learning Center, is the Seacoast Superintendent’s Association treasurer, and has previously served on the executive board of the Maine Superintendent’s Association as well as the New England School Development Council’s executive board. He is also currently part of the ORCSD Strategic Planning Steering Committee, and has previously held positions on various public committees.

“I’m honored to receive this award, which would not have been possible without the support of my colleagues throughout the district,” Superintendent Morse said. “I’m grateful for this recognition and I look forward to continuing the work of building a comprehensive and engaging educational program for our students.”

Morse, who once dropped out of high school, believes that public education ultimately placed him on the road to the success and is forever grateful for the support he has received throughout his career both from dedicated and caring public school teachers with whom he’s worked, as well as his family. 

About the Oyster River Cooperative School District:

New Hampshire SAU 5, the Oyster River Cooperative School District serves 2,100 students in Durham, Lee and Madbury. It is one of the oldest cooperative districts in the state. The Oyster River Cooperative School District has a long history of providing excellent educational opportunities for its students. The District is committed to and supportive of quality education. This commitment and support have helped the district recruit and maintain an excellent teaching staff and outstanding administrative leadership team.

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