The next principal of Harpswell Community School brings experience as an administrator in the district and a background as an intelligence analyst in the Navy.
The Maine School Administrative District 75 Board of Directors appointed Bridgette Ortiz to the position in a unanimous vote on Thursday, March 26.
Ortiz will assume the role July 1. She will succeed Anita Hopkins, who will retire at the end of the school year after eight years in the post.
The only public school in town, Harpswell Community School serves prekindergarten through grade five. The school and the town are part of MSAD 75, which also includes the towns of Bowdoin, Bowdoinham and Topsham.
Ortiz has been an assistant principal and learning strategist at Woodside Elementary School in Topsham since 2020, except for a one-year stint as interim elementary special education coordinator for the district. She previously worked at Bowdoinham Community School for nine years as a special education teacher and learning strategist.
She holds a dual master’s degree in general education and special education from the University of Southern Maine, as well as a bachelor’s degree in education, training and development from Columbia College.
She served as an intelligence analyst and instructor in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, from 1988-2008. Her naval career included time on four aircraft carriers.
“I owe so much to this district,” Ortiz told the school board Thursday. “I’ve been here since I retired from the Navy, and I was welcomed with open arms.” She thanked the district leaders who trained and mentored her.
One of those leaders, MSAD 75 Superintendent of Schools Heidi O’Leary, said Ortiz has mastered each of her roles in the district “with a rare combination of strength and compassion.”
“Her journey to this leadership position is a testament to her work ethic,” O’Leary said.
“Supervisors consistently describe Bridgette as the voice of reason,” O’Leary said. “She is the person you turn to for a solid, grounded perspective, especially in high-pressure situations. Where others might see an emergency, Bridgette offers a calm, steady hand and a clear path forward.”
The Navy first brought Ortiz to Midcoast Maine. “Topsham has been my home for 20 years, and while I’ll always be ‘from away,’ my heart is firmly planted in Maine,” she said in an email.
“Harpswell holds a special place in my heart; it’s where my children spent their earliest years exploring ‘where the water begins, and the land ends,'” she said. “From quiet mornings kayaking and hiking the coastal trails with friends to the energy of local festivals, we’ve made countless memories there — all topped off with what is, without a doubt, the absolute best lobster on Earth.”
Ortiz said challenges at HCS include issues with the building, such as the inaccessibility of some classrooms to students and staff with physical disabilities.
The district highlighted the building’s age and accessibility issues in recent discussions about the future of the school. A consultant floated the possibility of closing the school before shifting to a focus on renovation.
“Harpswell residents want HCS to remain in town, and the community has been active and unified in its public advocacy,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz also mentioned class size and taxpayer concerns as ongoing challenges.
But the school’s strengths are significant. “HCS has historically ranked among the top 10 elementary schools in Maine, with proficiency scores in math and reading significantly outperforming state averages,” Ortiz said.
She highlighted some of the school’s unique offerings, including hands-on environmental education with the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust and swim lessons from the Harpswell Water Safety Program.
O’Leary, the superintendent of schools, said that during the final stage of the interview process for the next principal of HCS, she asked each candidate “eight critical questions.”
“Bridgette’s responses stood out because she placed the student at the center (of) every single answer,” O’Leary said.
“She lives by a simple but powerful motto: They are all our kids,” O’Leary said. “Bridgette understands how much community matters to the families and staff of Harpswell.”
Ortiz received a standing ovation from the school board. “Thank you for giving me this opportunity,” she said.
“To me, leading a school where every student, staff member, and family feels a true sense of belonging isn’t just a job — it’s personal,” Ortiz said in an email. “Harpswell Community School is a place where student growth — academically, socially, and emotionally — will always be our North Star.
“I look forward to being an active part of our students’ daily lives, fostering a space where they can thrive both as learners and as people. By honoring our dedicated staff and the traditions that make HCS special, we will continue to build a culture of kindness and respect, celebrating every student’s success together.”
