LIVERMORE FALLS – Principals described a smooth opening of school to the SAD 36 Board of Directors on Thursday night.
Principals Rod Wright, Matt Gilbert and Terrie Roberts reported crowded buildings. Wright said every niche and corner was being used at the high school, due to higher enrollment.
Sept. 2 figures showed 325 at the high school, including 116 ninth-graders. The middle school is housing 280 this year, and there are 475 in the elementary grades, for a district total of 1,080, 40 more than last April.
Superintendent Terry Despres saw the increase as a good sign. Since more students are entering than were reflected in the local birth rate, it means the district has an influx of students.
He said there are a lot of new things in the district, including the reading program at Livermore Elementary School.
“We’re trying to use our people as effectively as we can,” he added, telling about a new vocal music program being conducted by Jan Sturtevant at the middle school, where there is also an introductory foreign language program.
Named to the district staff were Farrah Demaray as elementary art teacher, and Eric E. Kobischen as special education staffer at the middle school. Demaray is a 2000 graduate of Livermore Falls High School and has a bachelor of arts degree in studio art from the University of Maine. She is working on a conditional certificate and will be taking education courses.
Kobischen holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Roberts Wesleyan College and a master’s degree in business administration from Thomas College. He has worked as a tutor in adult education for two years but does not have special education certification and will be taking those courses, also.
Other personnel appointments include Athena Sanders as education technician III in special education at the middle school, and Misty Martin as education technician III in special education at Livermore.
The board accepted the retirement of Malcolm Haynes as adult education director, effective Nov. 1. He will be available as a consultant.
Named to co-curricular and extracurricular positions were: Denise Acritelli, student support team; Erica Chicoine, field hockey; and Brad Bishop, athletic director, weight room supervisor and bus monitor, all at the middle school.
Named at the high school were Brad Bishop as weight room supervisor; Brian Dube, baseball coach; Jim Finley, timer; Warren Forbes, scorekeeper; Larry Thornton, soccer coach; and Travis White, weight room supervisor.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
