BETHEL — A long-planned project to update the Helen C. Berry Auditorium in the Telstar Middle/High School is now under way.

Superintendent David Murphy said Odds Are Productions of Saco is using an anonymous gift of $50,000 to update the sound system in the auditorium that is often used for play productions.

Some lighting updates are also planned for installation.

The project is expected to be completed in October, which should be just in time for a high school play.

In a related matter, an energy audit of the Telstar complex conducted by Honeywell was distributed last week. Specifics will be discussed at the board meeting set for Sept. 24, and decisions could be made to move forward with an engineering study.

Tentatively planned is a major updating of the 40-plus-year-old building to include improved energy efficiency.

The district has saved more than $1 million toward the project. Murphy said a no-interest loan of another $1 million or so is also available for the work.

Voters in the five-town district must approve any decision made by the board and administration.

In another building facility matter, the bus garage received a new coat of paint thanks to donations made by several community members.

A new master’s level course in mass customized learning, offered by the University of Maine at Farmington, began at the Telstar campus on Saturday, with 18 SAD 44 teachers enrolled and several from other districts.

Murphy said the district is focusing on this new method for teaching students, as are most other districts in the state.

The course was taught live by RSU 18 Assistant Superintendent Linda Laughlin. Many of the other classes will be offered through interactive technology, with the final class also taught in person.

In the other matters, the board:

* Appointed former RSU 10 teacher Norm Greenberg as a long-term middle school substitute social studies teacher. He replaces veteran teacher Tim Collins, who has retired.

* Eliminated Navigating Life as a required course for graduation. Topics covered in the course include consumer subjects. Murphy said the topics will be covered in other classes.

* Appointed Paul Condello as the new second- and third-grade teacher at Andover Elementary School. All positions are now filled at that school.

* Approved repair of the Woodstock Elementary School roof at a cost of $12,500, replacement of the furnace at the bus garage at a cost of $19,500, replacement of the Crescent Park Elementary School carpet at a cost of $3,800 and roof repair at the maintenance garage at a cost of $4,000. These projects will be completed during the current school year.