RUMFORD – The SAD 43 board Monday expelled two students following two separate disciplinary hearings.

A Mountain Valley High School boy was expelled after a 35-minute closed session with the principal, student and parents. Principal Curt-Randall Bayer said the total number of expulsions this year at the high school is four, slightly fewer than last year.

No details were provided on the boy’s infraction. He was expelled until he shows proof the behavior that caused the expulsion would not happen again. All board members except Rumford representative Arthur Boivin voted for the expulsion.

A Mountain Valley Middle School boy was also expelled following a 15-minute disciplinary hearing with the principal, assistant principal, parents, student and special education director. Again, the expulsion will continue until proof is shown that the behavior that caused the expulsion would not be repeated. No details were provided on the matter. Boivin was the sole dissenter. Rumford board member Tracey Higley abstained from the expulsion vote.

The board also recognized bus driver Douglas Averill for helping out with a bus from the Boothbay Harbor district when students from the school attended a tennis match last month. Superintendent Danny Michaud said Averill helped repair the bus after-hours so the students could go home that night.

In other matters, Michaud accepted the resignation of Food Service Director Martha O’Leary, who is leaving to join the SAD 17 district in Paris.

The hot lunch program was losing money when O’Leary came to SAD 43 two years ago, Board Chairwoman Betty Barrett said. By the time she left, the department was in the black.

Michelle Fergola was appointed to the position of cook/baker for Rumford Elementary School.

The board entered into a third closed session to discuss a teacher and bus driver/custodian contract issue.

eadams@sunjournal.com