DIXFIELD — The Western Foothills school board unanimously agreed to hire a literacy specialist for Dirigo Middle School on Monday night.

That action brings the Dixfield school in line with similar services provided at Mountain Valley Middle School in Mexico and Buckfield Junior-Senior High School, which are also part of Regional School Unit 10.

Superintendent Tom Ward said the new position will not add to the district’s budget because an educational technician III position will be eliminated and the Title I program has sufficient funds to make up the difference for a teaching position.

The board also approved a multitude of coaching appointments and several new teachers, educational technicians and other support staff.

Ward said a “shooter drill” is being planned by the Oxford County Emergency Management Agency for Oct. 26 at Mountain Valley Middle School. He said police and fire departments, Med-Care Ambulance Service, and several teaching staff, administrators and students will take part in the exercise.

“All the previous drills have been really valuable,” Ward said.

Last year, a drunken-driving drill involving young people with mock  injuries took place at Dirigo High School in Dixfield.

In other matters, a special board meeting has been set for 6:30 p.m.  Monday, Oct. 4, in the central office conference room for an expulsion hearing for a Mountain Valley Middle School boy.

Ward said the hearing is the result of an “altercation” between two boys at the beginning of a football game at Mountain Valley High School on Sept. 3. He said local police were involved, but he declined to provide additional details.

The board will meet once in October, on the 25th, at the Buckfield Junior-Senior High School cafeteria.

eadams@sunjournal.com