SALEM TOWNSHIP — With a goal of encouraging fitness and athletic activity for more high school students, a Mt. Abram High School director has a plan to make a new sports program available.

Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Jeff Pillsbury explained to the School Board last week that the school last offered cross-country running in 2001.

The other SAD 58 district sports, including soccer and basketball, have what he called “feeder teams,” with elementary students trained and committed to those sports when they enter high school. Without an elementary-level cross-country running program and the additional difficulty of finding and retaining qualified coaches, the high school program fizzled.

Several students recently have expressed an interest and arranged transportation to one of the first of the 14-school Mountain Valley Conference fall events. Pillsbury is hoping to interest more students at any level of ability. Math teacher Merit Bean, better known in the district as Buzzy, has volunteered to take on the challenge, he said.

“There are six meets, and we will try to make as many of those as possible,” Pillsbury said. “Meets are scheduled in areas that accommodate as little travel as possible for teams.”

Pillsbury and Bean will schedule a meeting to answer questions and hope to interest students in a broader fitness club concept, which could include hiking and biking.

In other news, three new teachers have been hired at the Strong Elementary School. Jodi Badershall will teach reading recovery and Title 1 classes. Heather Moody submitted her Title 1 teaching position to teach mathematics at Madison High School. Selina Wing will take Moody’s position, and Christine Minor will teach second-grade classes for one year.

At Kingfield Elementary School, Kathryn Paddock will teach science to grades five through eight, Superintendent Brenda Stevens said.

The board also reviewed changes in cellphone and video camera use and general student policies.