Suzan Beaudoin (Cameron) has been appointed Acting Deputy Commissioner of Education at the Maine Department of Education effective Jan. 11, 2016. She previously served as the Department’s director of finance and operations.
As Acting Deputy Commissioner, Beaudoin will continue her broad administrative oversight of $900 million of State and general purpose aid to education. She will continue to provide financial and information systems coordination for an array of operation activities ranging from school construction, transportation and nutrition, to teacher certification and statistical data collection and analysis.
“Suzan will also be broadening her coordination and policy activities to other department divisions and will be expanding and improving the department’s working relationship with other public financing authorities, school districts and the Legislature. She is also a well-respected, trusted colleague of 30 years,” said Acting Commissioner Bill Beardsley in making the appointment.
Beaudoin attended Augusta public schools and earned her B.A. degree in public administration at the University of Maine. She has served on and or staffed numerous commissions, study groups, and task forces. She serves on the board of the Maine Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, and she is an expert on Maine’s “Essential Programs and Services” (EPS) funding.
Former Deputy Commissioner Tom Desjardin, who came to Maine DOE as Acting Commissioner one year ago, is transferring to the Governor’s Office of Policy and Management to shape one of the Governor’s signature policy initiatives. Tom originally served in the Governor’s Office as Senior Policy Advisor for education and natural resources. Tom’s new role will leverage his passion for education and history, as well as the internal and external relationships he has cultivated during his public service. The Department thanks him for providing continuity of leadership at the Maine DOE following former Commissioner Jim Rier’s untimely illness and subsequent retirement.