DIXFIELD – During the last school board meeting before classes begin on Aug. 30, SAD 21 directors learned of new hires and staffing changes, were updated on the new alternative education program format, and heard a rundown on how staff development time will be used.

Beginning on Sept. 6, and every Wednesday thereafter, students will start classes at 9 a.m., an hour later than the usual 8 a.m. to give teachers a chance to get together to discuss issues facing education and their classes.

Topics such as Maine Educational Assessment tests, student transitions from middle to high school and high school to college, classroom instruction, and curriculum and content are among the subjects teachers will take up over the course of the year during that early morning Wednesday hour.

Other items up for discussion will be school-day schedules, technology in the classroom, using a variety of teaching methods to educate students, and in-service professional learning.

The board decided last spring to hold staff development workshops each Wednesday morning for one hour rather than providing an early release day periodically.

During the first day of school on Aug. 30, which is a Wednesday, classes will begin at the normal 8 a.m. This is the second year the district’s four schools’ classes begin at the same time.

In other matters, Katherine Harvey, after school and summer school grant manager, said that more than 200 students took part in the summer school academic and enrichment program that ended last Friday. She said the number represents 20 percent of the student population.

The two programs are funded by federal grants.

Rachel Buck, alternative education teacher, said about 15 high school students are expected in the program when school beings. She said the program aimed at addressing the educational needs of students who aren’t successful in a traditional high school setting has been changed to include more structure.

Also on Monday, the board accepted the resignations Dirigo High School English teacher Alicia Boudreau, high school math and science teacher Matthew Brooks, technology specialist Jeff Druzba, and special education educational technicians Barbara Dolloff and Tanya Wing.

Appointed were Laura Johnston as a kindergarten teacher and Erin Leathers as a high school math and science teacher. Sixth-grade teacher Pamela Fleury was granted a one-year leave of absence.