LIVERMORE FALLS – Senior adviser groups at the high school will mentor freshmen adviser groups Tuesday afternoon, answering questions about the transition from middle to high school.

Teacher Anne Weatherbee gave an overview of freshmen orientation and Wednesday’s opening day during SAD 36 directors’ meeting Thursday.

Students will be encouraged to participate in the 27 activities the school has to offer, Weatherbee said. Those activities range from knitting to the Civil Rights Team.

“We’re very committed to getting students involved,” Weatherbee said. “We strongly believe students who are involved are more successful and are happier.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Weatherbee said, the annual opening day community barbecue will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the high school, either in the school or on the football field.

High School Principal Shawn Lambert will do some of the cooking.

In other matters, new SAD 36 Director Warren “Butch” Bryant of Livermore Falls was introduced along with other board members.

The board also agreed to enter into a three-year lease-to-buy program for a new school bus offered by the state. The first payment on the bus is due July 1, 2008.

Superintendent Terry Despres answered a question about entering into the lease-buy program when consolidation is looming between Livermore Falls, Livermore and Jay.

Despres said that both Jay School Department and SAD 36 would each have one lease-buy agreement on a bus.

SAD 36 goes back to a two-run bus system to pick up students this year. For the past couple of years, the district had a one-bus run system to cover all students, but due to the state’s change in travel reimbursement, the system had to go back to two runs, Despres said.

Parents have been informed of the change, he said.

Directors also voted to enter into a one-year $29,500 contract with School Food Systems & Services of Maine to oversee the food service program, including financial management.