LIVERMORE FALLS — The Regional School Unit 73 board welcomed student representative Trevor Doiron to his first meeting Thursday night.

Doiron, a junior, began the community garden when he was in the seventh grade.

The board also welcomed newly hired Business Manager Michele Coates. She replaces Stacie Field, who took a similar position in the Poland school district.

In other matters, Superintendent Kenneth Healey distributed a strategic plan for the district that lists several goals for the next few years. Among them are considerations for possibly dividing the elementary school grade levels between the two elementary schools so that all kindergarten through grade two students would attend one, while grades three through five would attend the other.

Other potential changes include the development of a districtwide curriculum, expansion of college credit programs, renovation of Jay Elementary School, developing so-called “academies” within the high school, continued assessment practices, expansion of the adult education program and continued emphasis on performance-based education.

Also on Thursday:

* The administrative bargaining unit requested the start of contract negotiations;

* Spruce Mountain High School Principal T.J. Plourde said students are now taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test rather than the Smarter Balanced test;

* The 21st Century Grant after-school program for middle school students will begin with sign-ups on Oct. 26; middle school Principal Scott Albert said the emphasis will be on agriculture and mechanics;

* Eight students at Livermore Elementary School were diagnosed with chicken pox;

* A Franklin Community Focus Group was set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 16, at Jay Elementary School to provide a chance for parents and community members to identify children’s needs and suggest ideas to meet them;

* Special Services Coordinator Tina Collins said a trained person is needed in each building to manage individual education programs for special-needs children.

The next regular board meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Central Office in Livermore Falls.