FARMINGTON – There was a new face at the head table Tuesday night at the SAD 9 board meeting.

Longtime board Chairman Francis Orcutt of Farmington voluntarily moved out of the hot seat and is being replaced by former vice-chair Greg Webber of New Sharon, board members decided at the meeting.

The board thanked Orcutt, who has been with the board for more than three decades, for his tireless work at chairman by giving him an honorary gavel. “I don’t think any of us could aspire to do as much as Francis has for SAD 9,” said Webber.

Joining Orcutt in a regular seat on the board starting this month will be his son Frank, who was elected as the representative for the town of Industry after veteran board member Carolyn Balsam retired from the post.

With Webber moving over, the vice-chair spot needed to be filled and a nomination and subsequent appointment for Raymond Glass of Farmington was accepted.

After new officer appointments, Tuesday’s meeting moved right along, with the public session lasting less than 25 minutes. The board then entered into an executive session to review the semi-annual evaluations of Superintendent Michael Cormier and Assistant Superintendent Paul Knowles.

According to administrator evaluations committee members Bob Flick of Farmington and Robert Pullo of Wilton, the reviews completed by board members of the administrators were “extremely” positive. It was also noted how Cormier and Knowles lead the board through a relatively smooth budget process, that passed on the first try despite controversy.

“We are very happy and proud of Mike and Paul and their efforts for our children and our communities,” said Flick.

Board members also unanimously approved the re-appointments of Dr. Iris Silverstein as the district’s physician and David Leavitt as the district’s truant officer.

It was decided as well that hot lunch prices for the upcoming year will not increase from last year. Students K-6 will pay $1.25 for lunch while students in grades 7-12 will be charged $1.50 for hot lunch and adults will pay $2.75 for lunch.

The cost will be 60 cents for breakfast for K-12 students and for those K-12, who pay the reduced rate, 40 and 30 cents, for lunch and breakfast, respectively.

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