BETHEL – SAD 44 directors have approved eight staff appointments as recommended by Superintendent David Murphy, by unanimous votes.

The appointments are: Eileen Steck as student forum adviser at Crescent Park School in Bethel, Greg Luetje as Telstar High School alpine ski coach, Peter Hedden as snowboard coach at Telstar, Kimberly Kangas as Telstar junior varsity softball coach, Todd Papianou as basketball coach at Andover elementary, Lori Davis as basketball coach at Crescent Park, Kasey Jerome as Crescent Park’s cross country skiing coach and Kathlyn Conrad as the kindergarten to grade five curriculum leader.

The board also approved the final reading of 18 revised policies Monday updating the district’s policy manual.

Murphy said most of the updates won’t become effective until late August prior to the opening of the next school year, “but some changes that have been mandated by the state will become effective immediately.”

First readings also were approved on 20 other policies that are being updated. The second and final readings of the policies are planned at the board meeting on Jan. 26. Two readings of new or revised school policies are required by state statutes.

Murphy said making revisions to the policy manual has been a huge job. “I am pleased and proud of the dedication of the entire staff of SAD 44 for the work they have done on this mammoth project.”

SAD 44 covers Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry and Woodstock.