SEEKONK — He’s been doing the job — temporarily — for the last two years. Now, Emile Chevrette has been officially named the town’s schools superintendent, a title he’ll keep for just one more school year.

The School Committee earlier this month voted to strip the “interim” qualifier from Chevrette’s job title. Chevrette accepted the appointment and notified the school board that he plans to retire next June, capping a 41-year career in education.

Chevrette, 61, formerly assistant principal at Seekonk High School, joined the Seekonk school district after retiring in 1997 as Pawtucket’s superintendent.

He was appointed to the temporary superintendent position in June 2006 and had intended on staying just one year. Instead, the school board persuaded him to stay on for the 2007-08 academic year, and now, for the upcoming school year.

The permanent appointment comes after the voters’ decision in April to remove from the Town Charter the in-town residency requirement for the schools superintendent, town administrator and police and fire chiefs. Chevrette lives in Glocester.

Chevrette’s salary is $117,000, plus $5,000 for in-district travel expenses. He has declined medical benefits.

Under his new contract, Chevrette will receive a pay raise this year of the same percentage given to members of the teachers’ union, once that figure is pegged in a new contract. Talks are ongoing between Chevrette and the Seekonk Teachers Association on a new three-year pact to replace the agreement that expired last month.

The schools’ fiscal 2009 budget does not yet include money for teacher salary increases. The School Committee balanced its budget after the annual Town Meeting by cutting a proposed all-day kindergarten program and eliminating $600,000 in funds set aside in anticipation of new raises. The district will ask voters at the fall Town Meeting to approve those supplemental dollars.

mwims@projo.com