Marco Aliberti stands outside the teacher lunch room during a typical day as a middle school English teacher at the Kingfield Elementary School. He will take over the reins as the school's principal next year. (David Hart photo) KINGFIELD — Through recent budget negotiations, the MSAD #58 school board saw great value in keeping an administrator in each of its four elementary buildings.

With the retirements of Mt. Abram principal Jeanne Tucker, Pathway Partner's Gary Perlson and the resignation of Phillips Elementary principal David Crandall, the board found its solution without hiring new staff members.

This came with a slight shift in administration moving Kingfield principal Brenda Stevens to Mt. Abram.

The other move came in the form of the promotion of Kingfield English teacher Marco Aliberti who has had elementary administration as a goal on his career path since he graduated college.

Aliberti is a 2000 graduate of University of Maine Farmington with a degree in Elementary Education. He also graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a Masters Degree in Educational Leader- ship in 2008.

"Becoming a principal is something that I have been working towards since I graduated from UMF. My parents work in education and have always stressed the importance of education in my life," he explained.

Aliberti always knew that he would be an administrator at some point; it was only the question of when.

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with the school community and community at large. I moved to Kingfield in 2003 because of its tranquil surroundings and strong sense of community, and I only wish to contribute to that."

Kingfield's newest principal has had quite a diverse background with the district.

All together he has taught for eight years, shared between Strong and Kingfield. He started in the district as a special education ed-tech in Strong and then taught 1st, 2nd and 5th grades there.

In Kingfield he has taught 7th grade Social Studies and English, 8th grade Social Studies and English, and the last two years he has taught 5th-8th grade English.

Aliberti said that it gives him a great advantage as next year's principal in knowing the school and where it stands at this point. This will be a great strength for him taking over the administrative position.

"Brenda Stevens has worked extremely hard to bring this school to the next level. I only wish to continue the high educational integrity the school has, while also facilitating opportunities for students, teachers and community members to succeed."

In his volunteer time, Aliberti fully takes advantage of the surroundings of the area and it is this environment and the recreational opportunities which have attracted him. "I try to take full advantage of the outdoors. Riding my bike, skiing, hiking, kayaking, basically any activity outdoors I am passionate about."

He also participates in community events and fundraisers such as The Climb for Cancer Care where he and several others climbed Mt. Hood in Oregon and raised over $28,000 for the Gibson Pavilion at Maine Medical Center.

"It is one of the best organizations I have ever been apart of. I lost an uncle to brain cancer several years ago and it means the world to me to think I am helping people in their time of need to feel better," he explained.

He admits he's also an avid concert enthusiast.

"I love music, and live music to me is the best. My father and I travel to NYC every year to see the Allman Brothers Band. It is nice to be able to spend time with him in such a unique way."

Aliberti, like all transitioning elementary principals across the district, will also be teaching in the classroom to further assist in alleviating budgetary constraints. Aliberti said he's not only willing to continue to teach, but he embraces the idea.

"Absolutely! I love working with kids. I enjoy the interaction very much. The kids inspire me to continue to learn and be open to new ideas. The team of teachers I currently work with are so committed... I can't think of anything I would rather be doing."

From the first day he stepped foot in the Kingfield school he said the students, staff and community have all been extremely supportive.

"I feel the current staff we have at this building is seeing great growth professionally which only translates into success for students. I only wish to continue what has been started."

"What can I say about Brenda? She is an amazing administrator. She works extremely hard to foster a caring environment where all students and staff members can succeed. I'm happy for her to have a new opportunity, but I know the school and community will miss her greatly."

Aliberti was asked how he would react to forecasted economic conditions which possibly could mean future losses in subsidy.

"I am willing to do anything to continue the success that this building has had. No matter what the economic climate is, the students deserve the best that we can provide. I think we do that now and I want to continue it."

Kingfield's next principal said he was thankful to the staff for being supportive of all that he has tried to do already with the Kingfield school.

"They are some of the best professionals and people around. I look forward to being able to continue the partnership."