OLD TOWN – With school starting in less than a week for students in Old Town, school officials have spent much of the last month hiring personnel, Superintendent Matthew Oliver said.

“We had a lot of appointments that needed to be filled and all the positions were approved,” he said Wednesday. “We still need two Ed Tech III positions to be filled but we’re actually interviewing today, so those could be filled today.”

A total of 32 appointments were approved at Tuesday’s regular Old Town School Department board meeting.

“A lot were coaches and ed techs,” said Oliver. “We hired a number of really qualified people and we’re very encouraged we’re going to have a great year.”

The school board also decided to create a new special education position at Leonard Middle School.

“This position is going to be funded with fed grant dollars that are specifically targeted for special education,” said the superintendent.

In other school news, the new 92,000-square-foot Old Town Elementary School on Stillwater Avenue is near completion.

“This Friday the vast majority of the projects will be completed,” Oliver said. “From there, there will be the possibility of some minor touch-ups. We’re right on schedule to start school on August 27.”

Tours of the new school for students and their parents are under way. On Friday, pupils in kindergarten through second grade will take tours from 9 a.m. to noon.

“The tours are being led by fifth-grade students,” said Oliver. “We have a wonderful group of parent volunteers helping out and we’ve had a tremendous turnout. The response from parents and students has been outstanding. Everyone is extremely impressed with the facility.”

Tremendous work done by staff has made the opening of the school proceed smoothly, the Oliver said.

“The first day back for students is Wednesday and our custodial crew has done a fantastic job of moving materials from our existing four elementary schools to the new elementary school,” he said.

A public open house is set for Sunday, Sept. 21. The event kicks off with a 2 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. Tours will take place until 4 p.m. Everyone is invited.