OXFORD — The opening days for the Oxford Hills School District were a “great success,” despite a tropical storm that delayed it up to four days at some of the elementary schools, Superintendent Rick Colpitts told the Board of Directors on Tuesday night.

“We had a great opening session (for teachers). Then Irene blew in,” Colpitts said. The Aug. 28 storm took down power lines and trees and closed schools for at least two days and up to four days at the Otisfield and Hebron elementary schools.

“It was a long week last week,” Colpitts said. He said transportation issues were difficult not only because of the storm that closed many roads for up to a week but because cuts in the transportation budget required the deletion of seven bus routes from last year.

Additionally, some schools have seen an increase in students, including Oxford Elementary, where 28 new students have registered, causing a “tight squeeze” in some of the classrooms. Paris Elementary School is also seeing some high class numbers, he said.

Colpitts said overall, the district has at least 80 new students.

Building principals all reported successful opening school days.

Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Principal Ted Moccia said school got off to a great start with a building that “just shines,” and a new kiosk where school personnel will greet visitors as they are buzzed into the building for additional security.

Oxford Hills Middle School Principal Troy Eastman said there are 10 new teachers at his school and staff doing many new jobs, but the school is busy getting ready for open houses, state standardized tests, and other events.

Elementary School Principals Linda Park, Jane Fahey, George Sincerbeaux, Melanie Ellsworth, Margaret Emery and Kim Ramharter all reported successful opening days with newly painted and cleaned buildings. At Waterford and Rowe elementary schools,  27 percent of the teaching staff is new.

Colpitts said the district has used two of its six snow days that are built into the school calendar.

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