BETHEL — SAD 44 medical personnel, along with other qualified people, finished administering the H1N1 flu vaccine to students Monday.

Superintendent David Murphy said all children whose parents gave permission were able to be vaccinated. He said 62 percent of children in grades kindergarten to five received the vaccine, and 45 percent of those in grades six to 12.

  Shots for the seasonal flu were administered last month.

Murphy said a few cases of H1N1 have been identified, and absenteeism for any reason reached 15 percent in the Telstar Middle-High School complex briefly, but it doesn't seem to be climbing. If it does, the district is working on plans to get school work to sick youngsters.

In other matters, the district, for the first time in its history, hired an English-as-a-second-language teacher. Murphy said the need was prompted by two young children entering the district who speak Chinese and Spanish.

Megan Green, a New York resident and graduate of St. Michael's College, was hired for the half-time position. She will divide her time between helping the children and providing assistance to classroom teachers.

Also at Monday's meeting, chief negotiator for the district, Jim Lunney, presented the board with the paperwork required to begin negotiations with the Telstar Education Association. The current three-year contract, which covers 115 teachers, secretaries and educational technicians, expires June 30, 2010.

A special reception to honor district employee Sharon Hutchins for being chosen as a recipient of WCSH's 6 Who Care Award takes place at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Andover Elementary School. The award recognizes those who give exceptional service to their community, according to the TV station Web site.

eadams@sunjournal.com