DIXFIELD — RSU 56 directors Tuesday approved a school bus loan bid of $88,500 for a three-year term at an interest rate of 1.5 percent from First National Bank of Bar Harbor.

Business Manager Mary Dailey presented the board with the bid information.

In other business, the school board approved of Dirigo Elementary School Principal Charles Swan’s request to hire a social worker for two and a half days to be shared with the elementary school and T.W. Kelly Middle School.

“We’ve had a hole in our school with social work services and we’re talking about providing social work services in lieu of guidance,” he said. The social worker would be working one on one with some students and in small groups with others, he said.

Also, Director of Nutrition Deborah Nokes gave the school board a presentation on the school nutrition program. She told them that students at Dirigo High School were choosing “more home-style food” and that the elementary school staff was seeing less food wasted than in the past.

A fresh fruit and vegetable grant starting Monday, Healthier U.S. Schools, will offer a different fruit each day, including plums, clementines, melon and pears. The 5-2-1-0 Let’s Go program promoting more physical activity and less sugary snacks is also part of the school lunch program, Nokes said.

In other news, Elizabeth Lawlor was hired as a district-wide occupational therapist. Her most recent position was with the Margaret Murphy Center in Auburn. Lawlor is a 2015 Husson University graduate.

Jennifer Theriault was hired as a special education technician at the elementary school. Swan said her most recent positions were with Community Concepts and the Margaret Murphy Center.

Dean Whitman and Ryan Palmer were hired as athletic director assistants for the fall season at Dirigo High School. Superintendent Pam Doyen noted that both men are current employees of the district.

mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net

Dirigo High School in Dixfield.

Elizabeth Lawlor was hired as an occupational therapist for Regional School Unit 56 on Tuesday. Her most recent position was with the Margaret Murphy Center in Auburn. Lawlor is a 2015 Husson University graduate.

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