MEXICO — A large group of educators told Regional School Unit 10 directors Monday night they’re concerned about a proposal to have all district pre-kindergarten, first and second grade students at Meroby school in Mexico and all third, fourth and fifth grade students at Rumford Elementary School.

“In our experience working with children, consistency and predictability are key components of a child’s overall well-being, Rumford elementary teacher Cassic Danylik said. “If this proposal is accepted, a pre-k child could be looking at four school changes before they enter middle school.”

Superintendent Deb Alden said the reason for the proposal is because enrollment at all district schools has gone up.

“The enrollment has even gone up since Oct. 1 by about 30 kids, with most (of the increase) in the elementary schools,” she said.

Alden said the board should consider all factors, from the increasing enrollment and finances available, in deciding whether to change the students’ schools later on as part of the budget process.

In other news, the district will request that the state commissioner of education allow an extra hour of school on Wednesdays starting Jan. 3 to make up storm days. There were two in November.

The board approved a request by Mountain Valley High School teacher Raquel Welch and two high school students to visit Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery and the Smithsonian museum, among other Washington, D.C.-area sites, in early April. They plan to have 35 students, five staff members and four chaperones on the five-day trip.

mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net