SAD 68 parents win bus stop move

DOVER-FOXCROFT – Atkinson Road parents who petitioned SAD 68 directors to change the location of a school bus stop got their wish Wednesday.

Directors agreed to discontinue the stop near a curve on busy Route 15 and move it onto Atkinson Road.

Families who live on Atkinson Road pushed for the move because they feared for the safety of the children and the parents who waited with them.

They cited speed on Route 15 as a factor and the congestion that occurs as parents and children wait in private vehicles for the bus to arrive.

Last month, the parents took their concerns to Dover-Foxcroft selectmen, who agreed to widen a driveway entrance for a possible bus turnaround on Atkinson Road if directors sought to change bus stops.

The town’s contribution aided the board’s decision, according to Superintendent John Dirnbauer.

In another matter, Dirnbauer reported that representatives of the Department of Education and engineers working with the school district’s architect would meet with school officials on Jan. 29.

The district is on the protected list for elementary school construction funds. SAD 68 officials are looking at building a 60,000-square-foot wing onto SeDoMoCha Middle School, constructing a new elementary school or building an addition to Morton Avenue Elementary School.

The former option would offer the district some opportunities to share facilities and programs with the middle school, according to Dirnbauer.

Directors set Dirnbauer’s salary at $75,000 and extended his contract through June 30, 2007.