RUMFORD – SAD 43 directors approved spending nearly $200,000 in stimulus money, appointed four representatives to the vocational school board, and continued plans to mark the school district’s end when they met Monday night.

The board will likely meet only twice more before it dissolves on June 30. One meeting will be a time for former and current SAD 43 board members to gather.

Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said the stimulus money is the result of the federal stimulus program that compensated for state aid that had been held back. When the district learned of the possible cut backs in state aid this past autumn, a spending freeze was initiated.

Now, with the money restored, the board approved spending it on repairs to the high school bleachers, and roof repairs and replacement windows for several of school buildings.

To mark the end of the district, Hodgkin said a cookout for staff and board members has been scheduled on the last day of the school year, expected to be June 17, at Mountain Valley Middle School. The last board meeting, set for June 15, will be a time for former and current board members to gather and reminisce.

A previously scheduled meeting for April 27 will likely not be held because of a lack of business. The regular June 2 meeting was canceled because of a scheduled public hearing on a proposed Western Foothills School District operating budget.

SAD 43, along with SAD 21 of Dixfield, and SAD 39 of Buckfield, are members of the newly formed district, also known as Regional School Unit 10.

In other matters, directors Betty Barrett and Randy Canwell of Mexico, Jeff Sterling of Rumford, and former board member Frank DiConzo of Rumford were appointed to the Region 9 School of Applied Technology board.

Also, the board, and staff at Meroby Elementary School want a say in the hiring of a new principal for the school. Principal Scott Drown submitted his resignation, effective at the end of the school year, last month.

Hodgkin suggested that SAD 43 Personnel Committee member David McKivergan, and SAD 39 Personnel Committee member Maida DeMers-Dobson, co-chair a committee to replace Drown. Several staff members from Meroby were also recommended to join the search committee.

The board held a 30-minute closed session to discuss a student disciplinary matter with Mountain Valley Middle School Principal Ryan Casey, assistant Principal Alan Cayer, and special education director Paula Leavitt. No action was taken.

They entered a second closed session to discuss litigation regarding a Conterra communications tower at the central office in Mexico. The group was still behind closed doors later Monday night.

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