LIVERMORE FALLS – SAD 36 directors voted Wednesday to borrow up to $21,337 through the state revolving renovation fund to improve the wireless network at the high school.

The district will have to repay only $6,740 of that money with no interest and the state forgiving $14,597, Superintendent Terry Despres said.

The initiative relates to the district’s technology plan, he said.

The board also approved an educational tour of Montreal on April 12 and 13, before April vacation for French and Spanish students at the high school.

Anita Dube, who teaches both languages, said she alternates taking students on a Quebec trip, which is slanted more toward French, and the Montreal trip, which is slanted more toward Spanish.

“I can teach students the nitty-gritty of the language in the classroom,” Dube said, but this is hands-on learning.

She said students pay $260 each for the trip, and there’s no cost to the district.

Among highlights are a visit to the Notre-Dame Basilica, where the stained glass tells the story of Old Montreal, a flamenco dance workshop and learning the salsa.

After the board approved the trip and Dube left, Director Denise Rodzen suggested the board provide some funding toward the trip, as it does for the annual humanities trip.

The board approved a motion by Vice Chairman Fred Nadeau to authorize the board’s Finance Committee to fund up to $2,500 for the trip from the board’s contingency fund.

In other business, directors approved a policy for students at the middle school to bring home laptops. Parents will have to attend a meeting at the school and agree to a contract to take responsibility for the computer if it is broken. Replacement cost is about $1,000.

Rodzen asked that the district consider self-insuring the laptops. Despres said a committee is reviewing that possibility for the future.

Despres also informed the board that he has a date for lung surgery in January. He is expected to be out of the district for a brief time and has plans for his absence set up with administrators.

SAD 9 Superintendent Mike Cormier has offered to help if needed.

Livermore Elementary Principal Jeannine Backus said that November’s accreditation team visit went well and the staff felt that their voices were heard.

The draft report shows the strengths and weaknesses, which the staff already knew and has been working to improve, she said.

The final report should be available in February.

In answer to a question about the new principal’s contract, Despres said that High School Principal Shawn Lambert’s contract is for duties as principal and assistant superintendent as he works through an apprenticeship program at the University of Southern Maine under the mentorship of Despres.

The board entered into executive session to discuss negotiations for sharing services with Fayette School Department.

Fayette Chairman Richard Darling sent a letter to superintendents, including those of SAD 36 and Jay, stating that the Fayette School Committee is in the process of exploring administrative options, which might include sharing services or functions with surrounding school systems.

“At the present time, we are not exploring merging with any one school system,” Darling wrote. “We are, however, interested in any proposal that you or your School Committee may have concerning any of the following: superintendent services of one-half to one day per week, special education director services, sharing of an elementary school principal and bookkeeping services.”

Jay will consider Darling’s letter during the School Committee’s meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Jay Middle School.