POLAND — The School Committee on Monday night approved Emily Buell’s request to begin a new after-school club for students to train service dogs. The program is called College Bound Canines.

Buell, a junior who transferred to Poland Regional High School this summer, explained that the club’s goal will be train five dogs to assist students going to college who need help with basic everyday tasks.

“It really would be kids helping kids. We would be getting dogs from shelters and training them,” Buell said.

 She intends to model the program on one she became involved with at a high school in Phoenix, Ariz. It was the first in the nation to undertake a program of this nature.

 The dogs accompany their young masters for 18n months of training, including going to school every day. While only five dogs would be involved, the program would be open to more than five students.

 Buell estimated it costs about $5,000 to train a dog. The money would be raised through grants and fundraisers.

 “We’ve already spoken to local vets in Poland and Mechanic Falls and they’ve said they’re willing to help,” Suzy Buell, Emily’s mother, said.

 The School Committee also approved and signed a support staff contract affecting all hourly employees, except for school bus drivers, in schools in Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland.

School Superintendent Dennis Duquette noted that until now support staff has worked under four separate contracts that differed widely in pay and benefits, a situation that could not continue with the school consolidation.

“Hundreds of hours were put in developing this contract,” Duquette said as he gave thanks to all involved in creating what he termed a fair and equitable contract for all concerned.

 Business Manager Rick Kusturin reported that the foundation has been laid for the new addition that will house the biomass furnace that will heat the high and middle schools. He anticipates the building proper will be going up this week and that the new heating plant will be operational the first week of November.

 Last winter, the district was awarded a $636,372 grant for the multi-fuel boiler that Kusturin estimates has the potential to save the district as much as $100,000 a year. The switch to renewable fuels will mean that 46,000 fewer gallons of fuel oil will be burned each year.

 The School Committee also approved a RSU16 library curriculum that aligns with both state and national standards. Also approved was hiring Shane Barker as science teacher at Bruce Whittier Middle School and Glenda Erickson as a special education teacher at Poland Regional High School.