DIXFIELD – SAD 21 directors elected a new chairman and vice chairwoman Monday night and adopted a set of high school graduation requirements.

Superintendent Tom Ward said former Vice Chairman Ben McCollister, a representative from Canton, was elected to lead the board. He replaces Rick Colpitts of Peru, who is also superintendent of SAD 39. Colpitts will remain on the board, but is expected to spend more time working on an administrative partnership for SAD 39.

McCollister was replaced by Barbara Chow of Dixfield, who several years ago served as board chairwoman.

Board member Carl Lueders of Canton was appointed as a representative for SAD 21 to the Region 9 School of Applied Technology board. He replaces Virginia Bradeen. Wayne Thurston of Peru is the second representative from SAD 21 sitting on the Region 9 board.

Ward said the board unanimously approved a new schedule of course requirements for students who graduate from Dirigo High School.

Although the number of credits required will remain at 24, he said students must successfully complete additional credits in social studies, mathematics and science, and fewer elective courses.

The requirements go into effect for the classes of 2010 and 2011, depending upon the subject.

In other matters, the board reappointed the Elsemore/Dixfield Clinic as school physician and transferred grade five teacher Jon Longley to an alternative education position at T.W. Kelly Dirigo Middle School.