PARIS – Maine School Administrative District 17 Superintendent Heather Manchester announced Monday that John Pinto, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School educator and Social Studies Department chairman, died over the weekend from pancreatic cancer.

The 72-year-old Norway resident was a longtime teacher in the Oxford Hills School District.

Classes at the school were canceled Monday to prepare staff and arrange for counselors to help adults and students returning Tuesday.

Tuesday was themed Purple for Pinto, encouraging people to wear purple in honor of him and in recognition of pancreatic cancer.

Maine School Administrative District 17 Superintendent Heather Manchester talks Monday about John Pinto, longtime Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School educator, who died over the weekend of pancreatic cancer. Seated next to her at the board of directors meeting at the Central Office in Paris is Chairman Troy Ripley of Paris. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat

“John was just a wonderful human being,” Manchester said at Monday evening’s board of directors meeting. “He was recognized as staff member of the month in the last year. He taught both of my boys and was a pivotal teacher for both of them.”

During the business portion of the meeting, Margaret Emery, principal of Harrison Elementary and Waterford Memorial schools, said during October attendance at Waterford averaged 90% schoolwide with prekindergarten students posting the best rate of 97.3%. At Harrison, attendance has reached 94%, with sixth graders averaging 91% for the month.

Emery also shared that contractors have visited both schools for upcoming projects.

A 400-square-foot addition is to be built at Waterford. The schoolhouse will be renovated to increase learning space and upgrades done for interior and exterior surveillance and security and life safety systems.

At Harrison, replacement flooring and entry to the gymnasium will be done, along with additional sitework.

The budget for Waterford improvements is just over $1 million; for Harrison, $485,000. The work will be paid for through the Maine Department of Education’s revolving renovation program.

The deadline to submit bids to SAD 17’s Central Office in Paris is Friday.

Otisfield Community School also received a revolving renovation grant for $618,600.

Jamey Martin, principal at Oxford Elementary School, provided highlights on outdoor learning and achievements within the school by grade during her administrative update. She also talked about expanding positive behavior intervention supports through “golden” awards for students from staff, including custodians and cafeteria for classroom neatness and lunchtime behavior.

In other business, directors unanimously approved the first reading of a policy on school closings and cancellations, which added language about utilizing remote learning after the traditional five snow days have been used.

Directors also unanimously voted to pass the final reading of a policy on using private vehicles for school business, which was adjusted to clarify that students may only transport siblings to and from school functions.