New principal for St. James School announced

Dr. Timothy Kane will be the new principal at St. James School in Biddeford effective July 1, 2024. Nancy Naimey is retiring after 11 years as principal.

“I am grateful to the interview committee in helping ensure that we have a strong continuity of leadership. We are confident that under Dr. Kane’s guidance, St. James will continue to thrive, upholding its reputation for faith-based excellence,” said Reverend Timothy Nadeau, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish, in which the school is located. “Together we will ensure a smooth and successful leadership transition as we continue our journey of providing exceptional education rooted in Catholic values.”

Dr. Kane has 20 years of experience as a superintendent, principal, and administrator. He has served as superintendent of the Coplin Plantation School Department in Coplin Plantation, Maine since 2021. Kane is also Sabattus’ town manager and director of public works.  

Dr. Kane served as the upper elementary principal of the Saco school department from 2017 through 2021. He was the superintendent in districts including the Van Buren and Baileyville school departments. Dr. Kane also held principal roles in Saco, Vinalhaven and Van Buren school departments along with the Essex-Caledonia supervisory union in Concord, Vermont. Dr. Kane’s leadership continued outside the classroom with his role as the town manager and roads commissioner for Rangeley from 2011 through 2013.

Dr. Kane has a doctorate in educational leadership from Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire. He holds a Master of Science in education from Thomas College in Waterville and earned an administrator certificate from the University of Maine in Farmington along with a Bachelor of Science in community health education. He also has an Associate of Arts in criminal justice from the University of Maine at Augusta.

Dr. Kane was born and raised in Maine as part of a passionate Catholic family. He is an active, practicing member of the Good Shepherd Parish along with his wife and family.

“As the new principal of St. James School, I am honored to help lead one of the most important teams in our young students’ lives. Together, we are a team of staff, educators, administrators, families, church, and community. I am blessed to have the opportunity to lead a school with persevering students, a dedicated staff, and a supportive school community,” Dr. Kane said.

Saint James is a Catholic school in Biddeford within Good Shepherd Parish committed to fostering spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth in a S.A.F.E. and collaborative family environment while empowering students of all faiths to be creative, to think critically, to act responsibly, and to serve with integrity. The school serves 180 students from pre-K through 8th grade.

Saint James School was founded in 1992, by combining three local Catholic schools into one: Saint Joseph's, Saint Andre's and Saint Mary's. The first letter of each school was used to create the name James and honors Saint James the Great.