DOVER-FOXCROFT – SAD 68 directors are pursuing the purchase of a house and lot next to the Morton Avenue Elementary School in anticipation of a renovation project there.

Directors voted unanimously recently to have Superintendent John Dirnbauer pursue the purchase of Georgianna Crockett’s property and offer an appropriate deposit on the property.

The concept plan for the renovation of the school will be up for approval by the Department of Education in 2004, Dirnbauer said Tuesday. The removal of the home will aid the project.

Work is being done to equip a portable classroom at the school to help accommodate the 55 additional children expected to attend this fall from Charleston, according to Dirnbauer.

The portable classroom will not specifically house Charleston pupils.

Directors voted to close the Charleston school permanently last June and are now researching the procedure to return the school to the town.

“I think we’re in really good shape for the opening of school,” Dirnbauer said. “Everything looks like it’s on track and will be ready for the opening of school on the 27th [of August].” All the teaching positions have been filled, he noted.

An orientation for new staff will be held Aug. 20 and 21 and an in-service day will be held for all staff Aug. 22.

Because the district was unable to find a candidate to fill the position of administrator of the Morton and Monson Elementary schools, interim positions were developed at a total savings of about $30,000, Dirnbauer said.

Deborah Davis was hired as interim administrator for the Morton School and will receive a $4,000 stipend. She will now work full time for the district rather than split her time between Foxcroft Academy and the district.

Judy Lewis, a teacher at the Monson school, will serve as head teacher. She will receive a stipend of $1,000.

Dirnbauer said he and Greg Leavitt would do all of the teacher evaluations at those two schools.