PERU – The Western Foothills School District board approved a central office reconfiguration Tuesday night that reduces costs by $261,000 and eliminates about six positions.

Superintendent Tom Ward said additional savings are likely from decreased benefit costs related to the eliminated positions, and eliminating maintenance and utility costs for two of the three central offices.

With the merger of SADs 21, 43 and 39, only one central office will be maintained, in Dixfield.

Tuesday’s board meeting was the second for the district since voters in the 12-member towns approved the merger and elected board members.

The board also approved an assistant superintendent’s job, and appointed Jim Hodgkin to it. He’s SAD 43’s superintendent and served as interim superintendent of the new district until Ward was hired on Feb. 3.

Among changes in staff working in the three central offices are elimination of a special education director, two food service supervisors, two business managers, and several administrative assistants. At least two departments will be restructured to include assistants.

Hodgkin said some positions outlined for the school unit don’t line up exactly because of a change in some duties.

“This is a transition year,” Ward said. “We’re hoping this is what we’ll need and we’re hoping we didn’t sell ourselves short. Next year, we should know whether we’re under or overstaffed.”

The board also decided to hold twice-monthly meetings at a different schools during the next three months so that members can become familiar with each school.

Tuesday’s board meeting was held at the new Dirigo Elementary School. The next meeting, on March 10, is scheduled at Dirigo Middle School in Dixfield.