SAD 33 board of directors chooses officers for 1992-93

FRENCHVILLE — The SAD 33 board of directors chose officers for 1992-93 and discussed such vocational education matters as staffing at the new center during a meeting Tuesday, April 7.

During a brief organization meeting directors re-elected chairman Daniel Bechard and vice chairman Manzer Belanger to their respective offices.

Superintendent Jerry White said the latest word from Augusta was that schools will get flat funding again next year. Under flat funding, SAD 33 lost $36,666 in school subsidy this year and stands to lose a similar amount in 1992-93.

White gave a short report on the Tech Prep program, which is a consortium of public school systems in Aroostook, eastern Washington and northern Penobscot counties which are working with Northern Maine Technical College and Washington County Vocational Technical College to address the needs of students now and in the future.

Vocational Education Director Harry Epp said construction of the St. John Valley Vocational-Technical Center was about three week ahead of schedule and that some parts of the building will be ready for occupancy by late May. Full occupancy is expected by mid-July.

After an executive session to discuss personnel for the new vocational-technical school, directors began the staffing process by hiring existing personnel from SAD 33, SAD 27 and the Madawaska School Department, the three participating school systems.

Directors hired Rena Michaud-Tardif as vocational education office manager; Clarence Levesque, welding; Rick Saucier, auto body; Joan Dow, child care; Reginald Murray, health occupations; Phyllis Perreault, computer applications; Robin Jackson-Eldridge, vocational special needs; and Russell Staples, auto mechanics. Other staff members will be added later.

The board accepted with regret the resignation of Curtis Talbot, who has been a science teacher at Wisdom High School since August 1986. Talbot accepted a job in the natural gas industry in Wyoming.

White discussed a cooperative buying plan being considered by SAD 33 and outlying school systems. It might involve getting schools to order common items together to get better prices.

Directors gave the local Boy Scout troop discarded tractor-trailer boxes. The boxes cannot be repaired. Scouts will move the boxes to Frenchville and use them for storage.

The board gave a summer basketball camp the green light but had questions over insurance issues. White will research the matters in time for the next board meeting. Directors also approved descriptions of support staff jobs and planned tentatively to hold an employee recognition program on Saturday, May 30.

The board discussed a legal matter in executive session but took no action after the session.