STRONG – Betsy Dubois of Salem Township was chosen by selectmen Tuesday night to be the town clerk.

Dubois also will be deputy treasurer and an assistant to office manager Sandra Mitchell. She will begin her duties near the end of the month.

In other news, Marc Edwards, one of Strong’s two RSU 58 directors, spoke with selectmen about recent changes in the school board composition.

The school board, if state Department of Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen approves, plans to double membership from seven to 14. Each of the district towns, Avon, Kingfield, Phillips and Strong, must appoint two people as interim directors until local elections are held.

Strong’s election will be in March, and since Edwards’ three-year term also will expire, residents will choose three board members.

The new board members’ terms will start July 1, 2014. Residents interested in serving for the five-month interim positions may contact the Town Office.

Edwards noted that the larger board will continue the goal to increase efficiencies and save money. The district is struggling to keep all of its schools supported, despite tightly-stretched taxpayer dollars and declining state subsidies. No community wants to lose a school, but the challenge to cut costs but keep three elementary schools and one high school open requires ongoing dialog with district residents.

“We want to be able to put real numbers and real consequences to these options,” Edwards said. “We’re stepping up to the plate.”

Superintendent Brenda Stevens and Finance Director Luci Milewski are gathering data to offer comparisons of savings at future board meetings. Stevens has outlined three suggestions to consider. One option would close the Mt. Abram High School building and convert Strong Elementary School to a high school. Students in grades kindergarten to eight would attend Phillips or Kingfield elementary schools. A third option would house grades kindergarten to 12 at Mt. Abram High School.

Selectman Mike Pond suggested that Edwards and the rest of the board focus strictly on the students who live in the towns of Strong, Avon, Kingfield and Phillips. Many students live in several other townships, plantations or towns outside the district, he said. The state subsidizes their tuition at a lower rate than the district spends on a per-student basis.

“As a taxpayer in Strong, I am not concerned about those outside students,” Pond said. “As soon as the school board realizes they are tuitioned students and not your responsibility, then you can look at viable options.”

Edwards also explained RSU 58’s new Adult Education partnership with the Farmington-based Mt. Blue Regional School District. Ray Therrien directs the RSU 9 program, and he will hire a coordinator for the RSU 58 programs. Edwards said he was impressed with the current Farmington-based offerings they will share with RSU 58.

“They have far better resources and far more opportunities,” he said. The district will hire someone to coordinate classes and do record keeping. I think we’re going to have a far more vibrant Adult Ed presence than we have had.”

Selectmen also signed the commitment to set the coming year’s tax rate at $12.80, up from $12 per $1,000 of valuation last year. Tax bills will be mailed by the end of the week.