FARMINGTON — The competition field on the Mt. Blue Campus will be rededicated as Caldwell Field, according to a unanimous vote of the Regional School Unit 9 board Tuesday.

The field used for football, boys’ and girls’ soccer and lacrosse was named Caldwell Field after longtime football coach Ray Caldwell, Superintendent Thomas Ward said Wednesday, but after a campus renovation it was just known as competition field. 

Ward received a request to rededicate the field and keep the name.

During a Legacy Campaign for special items that was part of the renovation, some rooms and other items were named for the donor. Ward met with major donors Richard Bjorn, Kevin Vining and Peter Judkins of Franklin Savings Bank who all felt it was “very appropriate to keep the name honoring Caldwell,” he said.

Caldwell coached from 1972 to 1992 and led teams to three Class B titles. 

The rededication is likely to take place during the first home football game, Ward said.

The board also unanimously appointed Keith Swett of East Dixfield as the board’s parliamentarian. Swett will receive training in Robert’s Rules of Order. So will the Board of Selectmen chairman and Ward, but Swett will be the board’s “go-to person,” Ward said.

The school board acknowledged with regret the resignation of member Claire Andrews.

“We are appreciative of the time we had her,” Ward said.

Andrews, who accepted a position as assistant district attorney in Farmington last December, finds the role can conflict with her duties on the board. Some students expelled by the board can end up in her court, he said.

A plan to reinstate a half-time math interventionist was presented by Leanne Condon, director of curriculum and assistant superintendent, and accepted by the board.

During budget negotiations, the four math interventionists were cut to 3½ positions. The positions are funded through federal Title I, he said.

Condon presented an option to pay for all four interventionists with Title I funding, he said. 

The math interventionist acts as coach to help mostly elementary teachers who may not be strong in math and students who need more math instruction, he said. 

Ward reported that the superintendent’s office has completed a move to the Mt. Blue Campus.

The former office at Mt. Blue Middle School is now four classrooms. Work will be completed by the first day of school, he said.

abryant@sunmediagroup.net

Copy the Story Link