RUMFORD – At 8:02 p.m., Ed Flynn motioned to adjourn the SAD 43 board’s final meeting.

But before that, a slideshow depicting a myriad of activities students and staff in the district had experienced over the years was shown. The board honored Superintendent Jim Hodgkin for his six years with the district, and several former board members socialized with current members over a decorated cake and other goodies.

Beginning on July 1, the district officially becomes a part of the Western Foothills School District, RSU 10. Neighboring Buckfield in SAD 39, Dixfield in SAD 21, and the town of Hanover will also be joining RSU 10.

Flynn, a Rumford representative, has sat on the board for almost the entire 20 years since SAD 43, originally comprised of Mexico, Byron, Roxbury, and the Rumford School Department, merged in 1989. He sat on the Rumford School Department board for six years prior to that.

Board Vice-Chairman Jeff Sterling said he viewed the final meeting not as the end of SAD 43, but as a transition.

“It’s been a difficult five months for this board (since the RSU 10 board formed) as our duties have dwindled. For me, it’s tough to think of this as an ending. Tomorrow night (Tuesday) we’ll be back here. It’s a transition to the Mountain Valley Region. We can lead or be led. I choose to lead,” he said. “We’ve done some very good stuff.”

Sterling, a Rumford representative, is the vice-chairman of the Western Foothills School District. That board meets at the high school on Tuesday.

Also representing SAD 43, now the Mountain Valley Region, on the RSU 10 board, are Tracey Higley and Marcia Chaisson, of Rumford, and Betty Barrett and Peter Zanoni, of Mexico. Judy Boucher represents Byron. No Roxbury resident has yet been appointed.

Linda Westleigh, chairwoman of the board, said the name of the educational unit may change, but not the philosophy of the district.

“As with everything, SAD 43 comes to a close,” she said.

She, Sterling and others also praised Hodgkin for his belief in the students and for frequently getting into the schools with them.

Rick Greene, a social worker with the district, said Hodgkin created a positive environment for students and staff.

“I’m grateful to the board for hiring him as a our leader,” he said.

Hodgkin said his six years have shown him the pride of teachers and staff in the district.

“All four communities are exceptionally supportive,” he said. “You should be very proud of the schools and the people who work in them.”

Hodgkin begins work with RSU 4, based in Wales, on July 1.

He invited all past and current board members and administrators to an end of school year and end of SAD 43 cookout at Mountain Valley Middle School on Wednesday.

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