LIVERMORE FALLS – SAD 36 directors have set dates for a retirement, recognition and welcoming banquet on Sept. 30 and a board retreat on Oct. 1, but have been unable to find a mutually available time for a joint meeting with Jay school officials, at least through Sept. 16.

That problem isn’t stopping Superintendent Terry Despres, however, as he seeks a date for the two boards and administrators to continue discussion on several possible cooperative ventures.

Adult Ed Director Mac Haynes will meet with Despres and Dr. Robert Wall, Jay superintendent, on Tuesday, and the administrative team will meet with their Jay counterparts on Thursday, looking for common opportunities.

In an initial meeting with Wall, the two discussed a variety of items, from having Jay do the baking for the SAD 36 food service to a performing arts center.

The list of possibilities includes setting up a bus repair co-op plan, sharing special services, Alternative Ed/Adult Ed, pre-vocational training for grades nine and 10, satellite vocational program and share-a-curriculum coordinator.

Other topics are common transportation of teams, review of facility utilization, joint professional development actives, extra-curricular model after Area Youth Sports, sharing central office activities and foreign language program.

“We don’t want to lose identity,” Despres stressed as he reviewed the various things he and Wall had discussed.

Directors will hold their recognition banquet Sept. 30, late in the afternoon, following an open house planned at the Cedar Street Facility at the close of school. The banquet will be catered and will be held at Murray Hall, by invitation only. Despres says he expects it to be a special evening to recognize what people have done.

The next day they will begin their board retreat at LaFleur’s at 3:30 p.m., for those who can attend at that time, followed by supper at 6 p.m. He will ask the administrators to attend the early session to discuss their goals, etc.

After an executive session, the board voted to allow the superintendent to enter into negotiations to purchase property on Griffin Street adjacent to the football field at the best possible price. He was also authorized to sign a check for up to $5,000 for a down payment.

“This would be a real advantage to the district,” Despres said after Kim LaVoie of the Buildings and Grounds Committee reported that group had toured the property and recommended the purchase.

The .58 acre property would provide good parking in the short term and allow reorganization of the fields in the long term, Despres explained. The house that set on it would be put up for sale to be moved.

Despres had laid the groundwork for the purchase by meeting state criteria that included available funding and state approval. It will be purchased with existing funds so there will be no additional cost to taxpayers.

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