FARMINGTON – Schools in the area appeared to get off to a good start.

SAD 9 Superintendent Mike Cormier said opening day went “very well” and “very smoothly” last week.

There were no major issues as far as he knew, he said.

The students were happy to be back, and the staff was happy to be back, Cormier said.

“It was a really good opening this year,” he said. “It’s actually good to have everyone back.”

SAD 9 student enrollment was at 2,570 during the opening days, he said. In the 2003-2004 school year, enrollment was 2,654.

Jay Superintendent Bob Wall said his schools also had smooth openings.

Kindergartners had screenings last week and went a full day for the first time Tuesday, he said.

“I think we’re looking forward to a very positive year,” he said.

Bev Stevens, administrative assistant to SAD 36 Superintendent Terry Despres, said all principals reported a good opening day.

Livermore Falls High School Principal Rod Wright said teachers had workshops on assessments and the advisee/adviser program on their first day back.

Freshmen were able to come to school one day before upperclassmen to meet with teachers and to learn their schedules, Wright said.

Cookouts were held for SAD 36 staff on Aug. 30 and for the community on Sept. 1, he said.

The high school had an enrollment of 325 students, about 30 kids more than the last school year, he said.

“That’s a good increase,” Wright said. “The walls are a little bit tighter, the classes a little bit larger,” he said, “but we’re looking forward to a great year.”

Fayette Central School secretary Cindy Pinkham also reported a great opening.

“It went good,” she said. “Crazy but good. Everybody showed up.”

Seventy-four students were enrolled at the elementary school, with 33 sixth- through eighth-graders and 55 ninth- to 12th-graders tuitioned out to five school systems: SAD 36, Jay, Maranacook, Winthrop and Kents Hill.

“Opening day always goes great,” said Rangeley Lakes Regional School Superintendent Mike Buckley. “Everything went smoothly. We had 210 smiling, energetic children ready to attend.”

Enrollment was down a bit from last year, he said, when there were 218 students.

SAD 58 Superintendent Quenten Clark was unavailable for comment Tuesday.