DIXFIELD — The first week of the new school year for RSU 10 resulted in fewer students enrolled than expected, some last-minute high school class scheduling, and a new satellite kitchen system, which was working well for the students.
By the end of the day on Friday, 2,659 pre-K through grade 12 students had enrolled, Superintendent Craig King said.
That breaks down to the following numbers: Buckfield Junior-Senior High School, 239, down at least 20 students; Hartford-Sumner Elementary School, about the same at 309; Dirigo High School, 300; Dirigo Middle School, 158; Dirigo Elementary School, 371; Mountain Valley Middle School, 294; Meroby Elementary School, 281; and Rumford Elementary School, 295.
King said that figure may change during the next week. The official figure will be submitted to the state in October.
He also said that because of the loss of students at BJSHS, the sixth grade at HSES may be moved to the Buckfield school next year. Discussions will begin in a few weeks.
Because of the lower-than-expected enrollment, King said an additional elementary teacher will likely not be hired, as suggested at last week’s board meeting.
Some scheduling is still ongoing at Dirigo and Mountain Valley high schools, largely because of the district’s change from a semester to a trimester system, and the schools did not have that form of organization previously. The schedules should be completed sometime next week.
The newly instituted method used to provide lunches to all district children appears to be working. The change reduced the number of food-production sites from six to four. Production at Buckfield Junior-Senior High School will provide food for that school and Hartford-Sumner Elementary School; Mountain Valley High School, for Holy Savior Catholic School and Rumford Elementary School; Mountain Valley Middle School for Meroby Elementary School; and Dirigo Middle School for Dirigo high and elementary schools.
The next board meeting on Sept. 8 at Dirigo High School will begin earlier at 5:30 p.m. so that the 11 new staff members may be welcomed. Some of the several open positions will also likely be addressed.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
