DIXFIELD – The SAD 21 board spent most of its meeting Monday hearing of plans about the Dirigo High School Class of 2009, and planning for a celebration to mark the end of the district in June.

Directors also approved spending up to $1,800 to help send members of the high school’s debate team to national competitions, and heard plans for the improvement of middle school math scores.

Approval was given to the Class of 2009 for the use of three buses to transport members and nearly 10 teacher chaperones to a campground in the Jackman area where Project Graduation will take place.

The annual event begins a couple of hours after the June 5 evening graduation at Dirigo High School and continues until late the next day.

High school Principal Michael Poulin said he is working with the local police department, a lawyer and a former student who is now a firefighter on the Midcoast to bring a program to the school that will focus on alcohol and operating under the influence awareness.

He said plans are preliminary, but he hopes to have a speaker who played a role in a fatality as a result of drunk driving at an assembly, and a crash simulator and so-called drunk goggles available prior to graduation.

He said the unified program is aimed at the possible results of drinking and driving. In the future, Poulin said he wants to have a mock accident set up to show students some of the effects of impaired driving.

The board will hold its last meeting June 8 in the community room of the high school. All former board members are being invited to a supper to mark the end of the district that began on Dec. 30, 1964.

SAD 21, along with neighboring SAD 43 in Rumford, and SAD 39 in Buckfield, will officially become the Western Foothills School District, or Regional School Unit 10, on July 1.

Speech and debate adviser Brad Conant said four high school students have qualified to participate in two national competitions. The first is in Albany, N.Y., May 22-24, and the second in Birmingham, Ala., June 14-19. Several other debate team members, along with coaches and chaperones will also be attending.

In addition to the $1,800 voted on by the board, Conant said the $600 per person cost will be paid through fundraisers, a possible grant, and out-of-pocket funds.