David Baker began as interim superintendent for the Plainfield SAU 32 and Cornish SAU 100 school districts this summer with a personal message to the community.

In his introductory letter, Baker shared a personal loss that has shaped his outlook heading into the job. He and his wife, Mary Ann, raised seven children in Vermont and now have 14 grandchildren. Their oldest daughter, Courtney, passed away a few years ago at 43 after a lifelong autoimmune liver disorder — she had founded one of the first Autism Support Centers in St. Johnsbury, which still serves close to 50 families a year.

“I learned a heavy lesson in what constitutes a ‘real’ problem,” Baker wrote. “Many of the challenges that face us seem overwhelming, but they are not.”

He officially took over on July 1 from Beth Bierwirth, the longtime SAU 32 finance administrator who had been filling in since Kyle Riley’s departure in March.

The previous interim superintendent, Riley, stepped down after less than a year in the job, in what Plainfield School Board Chairwoman Jenny Ramsey described as a mutual agreement to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Baker is the fourth superintendent to lead the two districts since 2022, following Riley and, before him, Sydney Leggett.

Baker arrives with 40-plus years in Vermont education, including 25 years as a superintendent. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rhode Island College and a doctorate from the University of Vermont. He most recently led the Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union in Hardwick, Vermont, and is familiar with the Upper Valley from time spent as superintendent of Windsor Southeast.

In emailed comments to the Valley News, Baker said the cooperative district study between Cornish and Plainfield will take up “a significant portion” of his time this year. Both districts have been exploring a formal partnership to share costs, particularly for their middle school grades.

Two issues drawing growing attention in schools — artificial intelligence and screen time — deserve attention from both districts’ school boards, Baker said.

“I think a cautious approach is needed with both AI and screen time in general,” Baker said. “Both of these issues are getting lots of attention both locally, statewide, and nationally. Our boards have not developed firm policies, but eventually they will have to.”

He added: “This world of information and social media can get out ahead of us quickly if we are not careful.”

Baker said despite the administrative workload, he wants to stay close to the schools themselves: “I also love to be in and around the schools.”