PERU – Jim Hodgkin was appointed assistant superintendent of the Western Foothills School District at Tuesday’s board meeting.

The former SAD 43 superintendent joins Superintendent Tom Ward on the administrative team for the new district.

The board also approved a central office reconfiguration that reduces costs by $261,000 and eliminates about six positions. Ward said additional savings are likely from lower benefit costs related to the eliminated positions, and having no maintenance and utility costs for two of the three central offices. With the merger of SADs 21, 43 and 39, only one central office, in Dixfield, will be maintained.

Among changes in staff 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 over-staffed.”

The board also decided to hold twice-monthly meetings at a different schools during the next three months so 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.