RUMFORD – The SAD 43 board tonight will take a straw poll on whether to vote on restructuring the district’s three elementary schools in January.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the library of Mountain Valley High School.

The board heard plans by administration staff and comments from dozens of district residents at a special meeting last month on the possible restructuring.

Being considered is placing students from the current three elementary schools into two – Rumford Elementary and Meroby Elementary in Mexico. The third school, Virginia Elementary in Rumford, would likely not be closed, but possibly used for other purposes, such as the district’s day treatment and alternative education programs.

Superintendent Jim Hodgkin emphasized that a board vote on such a proposal would happen no earlier than Jan. 18, and likely no later than March. Whether Virginia Elementary goes through a change of use will affect the development of the 2005-2006 district operating budget.

If the board s straw vote opposes a January official vote, Hodgkin said he will ask for whatever additional information is needed to make a decision.

Hodgkin has said that the decline in elementary student population is a major factor in ending the Virginia school as an elementary school. Many parents have maintained that a small school is beneficial to the education of their children.

Also on the agenda is a request by senior class advisers for board approval of a Project Graduation trip to Six Flags in Agawam, Mass., in June.

Reports will be given by four school administrators, and the resignations or hirings of several people will be announced.

A closed session is scheduled at the end of the meeting to discuss the superintendent’s evaluation and contract. Action on both matters is expected at the Dec. 20 board meeting.