ANDOVER — The SAD 44 board held its first meeting of the new school year Monday at Andover Elementary School.

Chairman Sidney Pew announced enrollment is approximately 850 students.

James Thibodeau, previously from the Carrabec school system in Anson, was appointed district elementary school music teacher.

“We are very fortunate to attract a candidate of this caliber this late in the year,” Pew said.

Jolene Littlehale, principal of Woodstock Elementary School, was appointed affirmative action officer and homeless liaison.

The board also discussed options on how to use an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant. It has until Sept. 30 to submit a plan on how to use the money and must complete the project by Dec. 31.

Some of the options mentioned were:

* Starting small projects included in the energy plan for the district, including replacing old lights with LED lights and placing flow restrictors on faucets. 

* Providing Smart Tables to kindergarten classes that do not currently have laptops or iPads. Smart Tables can be used by four students at one time and have proven to be successful during a trial period.