GRAY – SAD 15 directors approved having an after-school program, sponsored by the Cumberland County YWCA, at the Burchard Dunn Elementary School next fall.

Enrollment is open to the first 49 students in first through fifth grade who register. Sign-up began June 1. Financial assistance is available through the Department of Human Services and the ASPIRE program, and transportation is available by school bus.

Licensing must be approved by Maine’s Department of Human Services, said Phil Dirusso, program director for the Cumberland County YMCA, located at Pineland in New Gloucester.

In exchange for using the school, the Pineland YMCA will offer all classes two visits a year to the pool and bowling alley, and five school assemblies in its auditorium.

The program will operate from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. On early release days the hours will be noon to 5:30 p.m.

In other business, the board honored retiring staff and two school board members whose terms are up. Staff members are Gary Gardner, a middle school language arts/librarian and high school English teacher; Barbara Wendling, middle school language arts teacher; Ann Fryer, special services Ed Tech III; Bruce Libby, bus driver; and Craig Mason, a middle school science teacher.

Board members honored were Amy Wilbur of Gray and William Corrigan of New Gloucester, who are not seeking re-election.