DIXFIELD – The groundbreaking for SAD 21’s new elementary school is expected to take place early next month.

Superintendent Tom Ward said at Monday’s board meeting that the general contractor is expected to begin cutting trees next week. When the official groundbreaking takes place, he expects Department of Education Commissioner Susan Gendron to be in attendance as well as several other dignitaries.

And because the estimate for the projected $14 million pre-K-5 school came in several million dollars less than expected, many of the alternative add-ons will be made to the school. These include such things as upgrading the entrance, air conditioning for the first floor, upgrading stage and kitchen equipment, solar panels, sound enhancement systems in all the classrooms, adding exterior lighting, pre-treatment for the septic system that will allow it to last longer, and the purchasing of playground equipment.

“These upgrades will give us a building that lasts,” Ward said.

Ward said fundraising will still be used to help pay for the new playground.

Of the total project cost, the state will pay all but $500,000 of it. The local share will be $380,000, of which the district has already set aside $230,000, and the remainder will be covered by a $120,000 grant provided because of its energy-saving design.

Portland Design Team Architects created the plan for the 24-classroom, two-level building. Besides the classrooms, the school will also house 12 smaller, specialty rooms, a gymnasium, stage and cafeteria. Also planned for the 35-acre parcel along Route 108 in Peru are two athletic fields.

The new school will replace the Canton, Dixfield and Peru elementary schools. The Canton school was closed in March, with the pupils sent to Peru Elementary.

Board Chairman Rick Colpitts said the date for the groundbreaking will likely be set at a special board meeting Dec. 18. At that meeting, to be held in a closed session, the board will evaluate Ward.

In other matters on Monday, the board adopted policies that clearly define bullying as prohibited behavior at the district’s four schools.

Among the changes is one that allows the superintendent to request a psychological evaluation of a student who violates the weapons, bullying, or violence components of the policy.

The superintendent is also authorized to have training programs for staff and students to prevent bullying.

A presentation on bullying by a representative from the Attorney General’s Office is planned to be conducted later in the school year.