After a long search, the All-Island school committee Wednesday named Lynn Silva as the new director of student support services.

Ms. Silva comes to the Vineyard from Brewer, Me., where she served as director of pupil services.

She will replace longtime director Dan Seklecki, who is retiring in July after 30 years on the job. His retirement was pushed back by six months after the first search for his replacement did not yield results. The second time around proved more successful, yielding five candidates that were narrowed down to two. After an in-person interview and a site visit to Maine via Skype, Ms. Brewer arrived on the Island this week. She will start in her new role in July.

Though Ms. Silva is new to the Island, she’s not unfamiliar with Island living — she and her husband lived on Nantucket for three years, she told the school committee during an introduction Wednesday night.

“I do understand Island living,” she said, saying she has “a sense of what that would involve and the benefits but also the challenges.”

She served as the assistant director of student support services in Portland, and has also worked in Massachusetts, Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss said.

Ms. Silva said she felt a connection with Island school personnel after her interview. “To be able to come into a system that is so inviting and welcoming and wanting to work and learn with me at this point in my career, it just takes my breath away,” she said.

“The most important thing for me, and I believe for you, is that you care about kids,” she said, “and that kids are first in the conversation and last in the conversation.”

At the end of the meeting, the school committee gave Mr. Seklecki a standing ovation.

“We’ll miss you,” committee chairman Susan Mercier said. “Send us a postcard.”

“This place has always been supportive of a variety of our kids, and nobody sticks around if that’s not the case,” he said.

“Time has gone by in a blink of an eye,” he added, telling the school committee to enjoy each moment. “Thank you all for this opportunity.”