By Ellie Fellers,Special to the Sun Journal

NEW GLOUCESTER – The SAD 15 Board of Directors heard testimony from several parents and teachers Wednesday in support of Special Education Director Christina Manikas.

Manikas was notified in March by Superintendent Victoria Burns that her contract with the district wouldn’t be renewed on June 30.

Manikas recently filed a lawsuit in Cumberland Count Superior Court against the superintendent and the school board for breach of contract. She has asked for unspecified damages.

The board refused to grant her a hearing on the matter this spring.

Lisa Johnson of Gray said Manikas has the best interest of the students at heart and that she is there for staff and families.

In a letter, special education teacher Jennifer Leask of Memorial School in New Gloucester wrote that she was shocked and saddened by the superintendent’s decision not to renew Manikas’ contract.

“This is a huge loss to MSAD 15. There have been significant positive changes in the past six years,” she wrote.

The board listened quietly and offered no comment.

In other business, the board authorized Portland Design Team to prepare 20 to 30 applications for revolving loan funds for five district schools with serious problems related to health and safety and access for the disabled.

Burns said she recently met with state officials and learned there might be a short turnaround time for application approval to receive partial funding or interest-free loans for the projects.

Finally, the board certified the referendum vote results from Tuesday that approved the district’s $17.9 million budget.

Alan Rich was named chairman of the board again.