DIXFIELD — Directors of Regional School Unit 56 voted this week to reinstate junior varsity baseball and softball for this year, Chairwoman Barbara Chow said Tuesday.

Chow said $3,500 was raised by community members to pay for the programs.

“Right now there isn’t nearly enough money for softball but if we do one, we do the other and they will raise the money accordingly, if it is needed (for softball),” she said.

The decision to raise funds for softball will depend on whether there is enough interest from the girls to form a team, Chow said.

The district eliminated funding for all junior varsity sports at Dirigo High and Middle schools in the 2017-18 budget. In January, Dirigo High School varsity baseball coach Ryan Palmer asked the board if a junior varsity baseball team could be reinstated at the school, if the community raised enough money.

Chow said the board Monday approved a three-year contract for administrators that includes raises of 2 percent, 2.5 percent and 2 percent for the next three years, respectively. The agreement also changed the IRS mileage reimbursement rate to the Maine Revenue Service rate, and granted 18 paid days, including 15 sick days and three personal days.

Directors were presented proposed budgets from technology director Brian Keene and transportation and facilities director Kenny Robbins. Keene is asking for increases for a software and network upgrades and replacements of fading projectors and smartboards.

Robbins requests money for LED lighting in the high school hallways, boiler room work at the middle school, catch basin work at the elementary school, and tree removal at the central office property.

mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net

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