GRAY – The SAD 15 Board of Directors met in near darkness and without heat at Stimson Hall this week, using flashlights to carry out business for nearly an hour.

A car accident on Dutton Hill Road in Gray forced the closure of a power grid that supplied a 15-mile area radius so rescue workers could evacuate a victim, said Gray board member Tod Bennett, also a member of the Gray Fire Department.

The board launched a search to hire a director of finance and operations for the district that will begin immediately. Last month the board fired the district’s first finance and operations director, Brian McDonnell, based on a seven-page report. The action followed roughly 19 hours of closed door hearings over three nights.

Interim Superintendent Vickie Burns presented 40 exhibits and sworn testimony of five administration witnesses dealing with an internal investigation of certain charges and concerns related to the performance of his duties.

The hiring process is expected to take roughly two months.

The district is in the final stages of completing a comprehensive education plan that requires approval by the Maine Department of Education. The board is expected to approve the plan this month.

SAD 15 lists 26 items in its strategic plan with annual reviews by the school department.

Interim Superintendent Vickie Burns said the plan is required by law to see how schools plan to move ahead to bring children through. Components include, for example, an affirmative action plan, personnel plan, personnel training and development plan, education of gifted and talented children and curriculum development and review.

The plan addresses school facilities, maintenance and capital improvements and a technology use plan for student learning, vocational education plans and crisis response plans. Also, a plan is required for the use of No Child Left Behind Act funds.