Student tobacco use tops SAD 33 agenda

FRENCHVILLE — The SAD 33 board of directors discussed several topics Monday night, ranging from pupil tobacco use and busing costs to recent conferences and personnel matters.

Directors reviewed the findings of the Tri-Agency Tobacco-Free Project’s survey of 26,911 Maine public and private pupils in grades five, seven, nine and 12. A joint effort of the Maine affiliates for the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society, the survey gathered smoking statistics for 64 percent of the Maine school systems that responded.

Superintendent Jerry White said SAD 33’s results showed that no fifth-graders were smoking. Smoking statistics for older pupils were 5.9 percent, grade seven; 19.6, grade nine; and 29.3, grade 12. State averages were 2.5 percent, grade five; 9.1 percent, grade seven; 16.5 percent, grade nine; 22.7 percent, grade 12.

He said bus transportation statistics showed that SAD 33 transported students at a cost of $1.09 per mile, which was under the $1.55 per-mile average in Maine. Cost figures included vehicle maintenance and gas and oil.

White was asked for a brief report on the status of the St. John Valley Vocational-Technical Center, a joint effort of SAD 33, SAD 27 and the Madawaska School Department, and the impact it will have on St. Agatha and Frenchville.

The information, he said, will be included in the annual reports of both towns and addresses. It will include how the new school will improve vocational and technical education in the St. John Valley.

The center will enhance adult education programs by offering adults credit from Northern Maine Technical College. It also might enable area electricians, plumbers and mechanics to upgrade certifications, he said.

White also said he and Gilbert Albert attended a National Association of Bilingual Education conference at Albuquerque, N.M., at which White was part of a panel of superintendents who represented the New England Superintendents’ Leadership Council.

White’s topic was bilingual education in SAD 33. His presentation included a video and pamphlets describing its program and how its was being integrated into schools and curriculum.

The trip was paid by the U.S. Department of Education. The department also will pay for representatives of SAD 33 to attend a meeting on vocational-technical education next month in Dallas. Vocational Director Harry Epp is expected to attend. White will attend if he can rearrange his schedule.

White distributed a draft 1992-93 elementary school calendar for board review and possible action next month. The schedule was developed and approved by the staff of Dr. Levesque School.

A meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at the Wisdom High School cafeteria to address the high school calendar. District farmers were invited to discuss school finance and schedule issues.

White also said kindergarten will be held from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, and from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 6.

Lisa Myers and Mary Michaud briefed officials on the meeting of the Region 1 School Board Monday, Feb. 10, at Washburn. Funding and other concerns of area school directors and superintendents were addressed. White also attended.

After a six-month review, directors approved continued employment for Irma Lowe, a cafeteria worker; and special education aides Evelyn Tardif and Judy Daigle. They approved a medical leave for Lisa Bernier, a grade six teacher, and named Jenny Corriveau as the long-term substitute to replace her.

They also recognized Lisa Myers for designing the winning logo for the town of St. Agatha.