DIXFIELD – Twenty-eight education technicians and secretaries at SAD 21 have a new 2-year contract.

After an executive session Monday night to discuss negotiations, SAD 21 directors unanimously approved the Education Support Personnel Contract.

Along with basic benefits, the contract gives the group a three-percent pay increase each year for this year and next, said new Superintendent Thomas Ward who joined the district as negotiations were winding down.

“I’d like to take credit for it, but I can’t,” he said. “They seemed happy with it.”

The group falls under the auspices of Cancardix Education Association, which also represents SAD 21 teachers.

Ward said the second closed-door session Monday night involved discussions over where SAD 21 stands on the proposed Peru School merger.

“We haven’t received any pressure from the state yet to merge with SAD 43, but we’re speculating that if we don’t do something with Peru” it may happen, Ward said.

However, as a proactive approach to fending off the possibility, Ward said he has been talking with SAD 43’s new superintendent, James Hodgkin, in Rumford, and SAD 44 Superintendent David Murphy in Bethel.

“We will meet and talk pro-actively to regionalize services,” he added.

Since taking over SAD 21’s superintendent helm in July, Ward said he has met with selectmen in the district’s towns of Canton, Carthage and Dixfield on the proposed Peru School merger.

“I asked them to keep an open mind about it and told them we need to look at the big picture and what’s best for the kids and what’s fiscally responsible. They were very supportive,” he said.

Ward said that he and SAD 21 directors intend to take their time and work through issues with Peru officials.

Currently, both Peru and SAD 21 directors are awaiting contact from Maine Department of Education Commissioner Susan Gendron to eventually resolve a funding formula impasse.

Last month, both the Peru School Committee and SAD 21 directors chose to have Gendron meet with each board, allowing officials to each brief the commissioner on merger details.

“The issues could be settled this year, but we’re not going to rush it. The big issue is what do we want to do to meet the state’s time line for making a joint application for construction of a new school?” Ward asked.

That application must be made before June 2004 if the merger is approved by Peru, Canton, Carthage and Dixfield voters.

“The state is pushing districts and towns to consider consolidation, but they know that if we merge with Peru, it would definitely move us up on the protected list for new school construction,” he added.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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