LIVERMORE FALLS – SAD 36 directors have approved a contract with a consultant to develop a gifted and talented program. There has been no program for the past three years since a teacher in training left for another job.

Former Superintendent Terry Despres submitted a plan to the Department of Education last year, but it didn’t fund it, interim Superintendent David Wallace said.

Consultant Pattie Drapeau’s contract calls for her to be in the district four days at a cost of $5,649 for consulting services. The South Freeport woman will work with administrators and teachers at the elementary and middle schools to develop a program, set goals, and develop a staff development plan, among other items outlined.

There will be gifted education programs in mathematics, reading and literature for grades two through eight in September 2009. There will be no program at the high school, though there should be one, but the district cannot afford it, Wallace said.

Students will be screened periodically beginning in the second grade to determine eligibility.

What Wallace said he would like to see is the district’s regular teachers be trained in these techniques and have someone come in part-time and work with students.