PARIS — Oxford Hills School District directors voted Monday night to authorize $2.34 million to finance improvements at three elementary schools.

Troy Ripley of Paris, right, was elected Monday night as chairman of the Maine School Administrative District 17 board of directors. Seated on his right is Superintendent Heather Manchester. Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat

Voters in June approved a $2.55 million bond to pay for security improvements and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act at Waterford Memorial, Otisfield Community and Harrison Elementary schools. Of that, $2.34 will come from the state’s School Revolving Renovation Fund and $209,101 from the bond.

In other action Monday, directors hired Darcy Francis as assistant principal of Oxford Elementary School, succeeding Denise Bourgoine.

Meghan Lampert, former SAD 17 employee, was named the district’s information technology director, replacing John Murray.

Jason Lampert was hired as district facilities director. He replaces Michael Manning, who left after one year.

Maine School Administrative District 17 Director Troy Ripley of Paris was elected chairman of the board, narrowly defeating Judy Green of Waterford  10-8 in a paper ballot vote.

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Green served as interim chairman beginning in February, after Natalie Andrews of West Paris resigned and then stepped down the following month when her term expired.

Ripley was nominated by Kelly Jacobson of Norway.

Green was nominated by Gary Smith of Oxford.

Director Kitty Winship of Waterford was the only contender for vice chairwoman. She was nominated by Anna Gregoire of Otisfield.

Winship succeeds Jared Cash of Norway, who was first elected vice chairman in 2021.

Directors unanimously voted to appoint Peter Wood of Norway as representative on Maine Vocational Region 11 board of directors. He succeeds Lisa Dunham of Oxford, who stepped down from the MSAD 17 board when her her term ended last month.

SAD 17’s finance committee was also unanimously confirmed, with Lew Williams and Amanda Fearon, both of Hebron, Jennifer Russell of Paris and Winship all returning for one-year terms. Ripley, as board chairman, was also selected.

Debra Hertell was reelected as voter registration clerk for district meetings. She works as executive assistant to Superintendent Heather Manchester.

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