LIVERMORE FALLS – SAD 36 directors unanimously voted Thursday to allow middle school Principal Ted Finn to implement a program offering coverage for accidental damage to laptop computers issued to seventh- and eighth-graders.

The program is voluntary.

A $50 nonrefundable fee would cover accidental damage from fire, natural disasters, power surges, theft and vandalism to the state-owned computers students can use at home.

“Deliberate or willful damage/destruction is not covered under this program,” Finn said.

Participants would pay a maximum of $75, including a $25 deductible, for damage. Nonparticipants would be responsible for the total cost of repairs, which could be in the hundreds of dollars.

Finn said because the machines are leased, the district can’t get insurance coverage for them.

A similar damage protection program for laptops used by sixth-graders, which are owned by the district and are not allowed to go home with students, would cost $25, with a maximum of $35, which includes a $10 deductible.

The fee could be paid upfront, or half of it before the laptops are distributed in the first-quarter, and the other half before the first day of the third quarter.

The money collected would go into an account specifically for laptop repair.

The board’s Policy Committee plans to meet Thursday, Sept. 4, to try to develop a policy to coincide with program.

In other business, directors approved four early release days for the school year. Students at all levels will be dismissed at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, Thursday, Oct. 30, Monday, Feb. 2, and Wednesday, April 15.

The board also voted unanimously to enter into a food service program with School Food Systems & Services of Maine for $33,000 for the 2008-09 school year. It is 2.87 percent more than last year.

In another matter, Chairman Ashley O’Brien said he would not be asking fellow directors to withdraw from a consolidation effort with Jay. A letter he had read at the meeting citing some lost collaboration efforts drew the attention he wanted to draw both locally and at the state level, he said.

The regional school planning committee voted 8-2 Tuesday to move forward on a consolidation plan with Jay, with O’Brien and Vice Chairman Fred Nadeau opposed.

The board will have a special meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, to discuss what it would like to see come out of a regional school union between Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls prior to workshop day on Saturday, Sept. 6, to pull the plan together.

During the administrative reports, all school administrators cited smooth opening days.

Transportation director Ken Vining did note some problems and a longer ride on buses for some students on the first day of school, but those have either been resolved or are being worked out.