RUMFORD – Backpacks have been banned at Mountain Valley Middle School after a false bomb scare was made there on the third day of classes this year.

SAD 43 directors were told about the incident at their meeting Tuesday night.

A note indicating a bomb might be in the girls bathroom of the school was found, but no such device was located. However, Principal Charles Lever decided to ban backpacks in the school. No other security measures are planned at this time.

Directors were also told that enrollment in the five district schools is just under 1,650 students, up almost 50 from projections. The school totals are: Virginia Elementary School, 122; Rumford Elementary School, 247; Meroby Elementary School, 237; Mountain Valley Middle School, 431; and Mountain Valley High School, 580, including 65 who will also attend Region 9 School of Applied Technology.

Lever said the middle school population is the highest ever.

Meroby Elementary School Principal Scott Drown said in his six years there the student population has dropped about a third, from about 360 to 237.

More kindergarten students were registered at the district’s three elementary schools than expected, fewer sixth-graders appeared, and more than expected seventh-graders enrolled. Although none of the class size surprises require modifications to staff, district administrators will keep a close watch on them.

Special Education Director Paige Coville said about 340 special needs students are enrolled. The numbers may change however, because students are still moving in, she said. Special education programs are offered to students from home schools, St. Athanasius and St. John School and River Valley Christian School also.

The board agreed to modify the school year calendar to include a sixth teacher workshop day on Oct. 10, which will be funded by a grant. This means the last day of school will be June 7, if there are no snow days, instead of June 4. The modified calendar also shows trimester grading periods for kindergartners through grade eight.

In other matters, the board agreed to lend several Mexico High School artifacts to the Mexico Historical Society. The agreement will be reviewed every three years. Items include a collection of MHS yearbooks, a bell believed to have come from the now-defunct Abbott School, and a banner.

Lever said the items have been in the middle school library, the school that once served as Mexico High School. The historical society hopes to display the items at its museum on Oxford Street

Also on Tuesday, the first of a series of board workshops was set for Sept. 29. Superintendent James Hodgkin said the sessions will be used to discuss such things as confidentiality, the hiring process, special education issues, and other matters that arise.

Appointments include retired elementary teacher Gail Parent as half-time family literacy director, and Victoria Thompson and Debora Melanson as special education teachers

eadams@sunjournal.com

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