GRAY – SAD 15 seniors raised $26,000 to allow graduates to attend an outdoor adventure resort for their Project Graduation event, school board members learned on Wednesday.

In the past five months, the senior class held fundraisers, earned support from business establishments and collected private donations to raise the funds.

Graduating students elected by survey to have an outdoor adventure experience, which will be held at Adventure Bound, a resort in Caratunk.

Following the graduation ceremony in Portland, roughly 90 of 180 seniors will participate in the trip, departing immediately by motor coach to arrive at the resort for a two-night stay.

There, the group can participate in white-water class IV river runs followed by a barbecue on the river. An outdoor heated pool and 24-person hot tub, rock-climbing wall and game room will be available for the groups and nine chaperons.

Alan Rich, chair of SAD 15, said no approval is required by the board since the activity is held in the state.

In other business, the board signed the warrant for voters to approve a $19,003,987 budget for 2006-07. Voters in Gray and New Gloucester will go to the polls on June 13 to approve the budget.

Finally, Superintendent Victoria Burns announced seven resignations had been received from teachers and support staff.

Districtwide, a total of 14 teacher and five support positions must be filled before schools open for the 2006-07 school year, said Burns.

In addition, the district is seeking to hire a director of special education. Interviews are expected to begin within two weeks.

The current program director, James Kilbride, will be leaving.

The board approved granting 10 teachers a continuing contract with the district, while 21 teachers will be issued a second-year probationary contract.



Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.