RUMFORD - SAD 43 directors unanimously denied a grievance by the Mountain Valley Education Association on Monday night following a 75-minute closed session.

A spokeswoman from the superintendent's office said Tuesday that the grievance concerned the elimination of the position of special education department chairperson at Mountain Valley High School.

Co-presidents of the Mountain Valley Education Association, Chris Carver and Vicki Amoroso, could not be reached for comment.

The board met in closed session with Superintendent Jim Hodgkin, Carver and MVEA representative Robert Walker.

In other matters, the board was updated on the status of a $750,000 capital bond approved by voters two years ago.

Business manager Paula Puiia said virtually the entire project has been completed, as required under the agreement. That includes replacement of some windows, repair and retooling of school boilers, the purchase of new kitchen equipment, roof work and other projects at the district's five school buildings.

Also on Monday, the board appointed Aaron Perreault to a part-time position as athletic trainer at the high school, Katie Mazza as districtwide Title I family liaison, and Melissa Van Lieu as special education educational technician at Meroby Elementary School.

Longtime Rumford Elementary School special education educational technician Patricia Dyke submitted her resignation, effective at the end of December. She is retiring. Other resignations included that of alpine ski coach Zachary Thompson and varsity wrestling coach Joe Thornton.