Officials retrieved “10 to 12 boxes” of items.
By Eileen M. Adams
Staff Writer

RUMFORD – Dozens of trophies, balls, banners and other school memorabilia were found last week in the basement and storage rooms of Mountain Valley High School.

Some items date back nearly a century.

Now, Principal Bruce Lindberg wants to know what to do with the items, most holding pleasant memories for former students of Stephens High School, Mexico High School and Rumford High School.

“We should make it known that this stuff is here, instead of it being disrespected,” he told the SAD 43 board Tuesday night. “We have 10 to 12 boxes filled with these things.”

Lindberg asked the board to come up with a plan for displaying them.

“We want a way for the community to have access to them,” he said.

The issue will be placed on a future board agenda. But on Tuesday, several board members, each having an example placed before them at their seat, had a few ideas.

“If any of the historical societies have shown interest, that’s wonderful,” said Mexico representative Betty Barrett. “I’m in favor of displaying them.”

Rumford board member Tracey Higley asked whether MVHS had room to put the items on display, or for rotating some of the items to be put on display.

Lindberg said the space was there, but not the display cases.

The matter will likely be discussed on March 15.

The board also heard an update on the wellness project currently underway in all five district schools for both students and staff from school health coordinator Kathy Sutton.

Sutton outlined some of the programs, funded by a variety of grants and tobacco settlement money, aimed at improving diet, preventing tobacco use and encouraging physical exercise.

Some of the programs, including the annual bike rodeo held each May, will include cooperative efforts between SAD 43, SAD 21 and Peru.

The overall health initiative includes programs to fight suicide and alcohol abuse, as well.

Higley, a Rumford police officer who brings the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program into the local schools, said he has noticed a positive difference among youngsters since the wellness program began.

And if Sutton is successful, the health initiative may directly address the growing incidence of childhood obesity.

She is in the midst of writing a grant for up to $500,000 for a Physical Education Program federal grant.

“Obesity is a huge problem. That’s why we’re going for the grant,” she said. Whether the district, which may join with one or more of the surrounding districts if Sutton’s efforts are successful, receives the grant will be known in early autumn.

Only two districts statewide received a PEP grant last year.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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