LIVERMORE FALLS — The RSU 73 board unanimously approved a move from the Sandy Andy League to the Central Maine League for all sports teams from Spruce Mountain Middle School at its meeting Thursday night.

SMMS Principal Scott Albert said his student teams often dominate play with teams from Sandy Andy. He said non-sports competition, such as with math and speech, will remain in the Sandy Andy League.

Mike Methvin, SMMS physical education teacher and athletic director, said he had met with the Central Maine League earlier in the week.

“I was impressed with their professionalism,” he said.

He also said that the middle school teams are looking for better competition.

“The level of competition has been uneven since Jay and Livermore Falls came together,” he said.

About 375 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders attend SMMS.

Albert said if joining Central Maine doesn’t work out, they can rejoin the Sandy Andy League.

The school currently pays Sandy Andy about $500 a year for its membership. He said a similar fee would be required to join Central Maine.

Methvin said a meeting of Central Maine to begin work on the fall middle school sports schedule takes place Friday, May 9. He also said that the board of Central Maine have already approved membership by SMMS.

Schools in the Sandy Andy League include Dirigo Middle School in Dixfield, Mountain Valley Middle School in Rumford, Telstar Middle School in Bethel as well as several others.

The Central Maine League includes such schools as Mount Blue Middle School in Farmington, Mount View Middle School in Thorndike, Skowhegan Area Middle School, Waterville Junior High School and several others.

SMMS is making a sports league change at nearly the same time as Spruce Mountain High School, and for similar reasons.

The RSU 73 board approved SMHS’s move to the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference from the Mountain Valley Conference a couple of months ago.

In other matters Thursday:

* The resignation of long-time SMMS teacher Lynn Ouellette, for the purpose of retirement, was accepted with regret;

* Buildings, Grounds and Transportation Director Ken Vining reported that nearly 70 special bus trips for student sports and field trips are scheduled through the end of the school year;

* Jay and Livermore elementary schools’ Civil Rights Teams students will attend a Portland Sea Dogs baseball game on Friday in recognition of the work they do to make their schools a safe place. Their names will be shown on the scoreboards and they will have a chance to walk around the infield prior to the game.

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