While the town of Andover is beginning the process of a possible withdrawal from the district, virtually all staff at the elementary school will change when classes begin.

Superintendent David Murphy said Megan Smith will become the school’s new kindergarten-grade 1 teacher, and Karen Thurston, who had previously taught in RSU 10, will teach grades 4 and 5. Although the grades 2 and 3 teaching principal position isn’t filled yet, he said he expects it to be by the time classes begin.

The secretary at Andover Elementary School, who also serves as special education secretary for the district, will likely be hired as well.

Other staff changes include Tracey Morin from AES to four-fifths time math teacher at Telstar Middle School, Jolene Dumas from AES grades 2 and 3 teacher to part-time Title I teacher at the school, Erin Stearns as the new kindergarten teacher at Crescent Park Elementary School, and the anticipated filling of a half-time math teacher at Telstar High School.

“We’ve invested a lot of time rebuilding the AES staff. We hope to have an open house at AES for new staff soon after the beginning of the school year,” Murphy said.

All freshmen are invited to Telstar High School at 8 a.m., Aug. 28, for a morning of orientation into the school. Students will receive their academic schedules, learn the expectations of the school and for laptop computer use, and get to meet some of their teachers.

Transportation is provided to and from freshmen day.

Teacher workshops are scheduled for Aug. 29 and 30.

Slightly fewer than 875 students are expected when classes begin.

Also new this year is a completely renovated track at the high/middle school complex. It is prepared for use by both middle and high school use. A planned renovation of the high school complex is also expected to be completed this year.

Teachers and administrators will concentrate on developing a process for what is known as mass customized learning for all youngsters.

Murphy said many staff members have attended workshops in the new method for teaching students at the University of Maine at Farmington during the summer, and master’s level classes in the topic will be offered at the high school beginning Sept. 15. The semester course has an enrollment of 12 SAD 44 staff already. It is open to teachers from other districts as well.

Customized learning, he said, addresses the fact that children learn at different times and in different ways.

“We will spend the upcoming year going through research then, hope to start reinventing (teaching) next year,” Murphy said.

The Mahoosuc Kids afterschool program will also continue under the directorship of Julie Hart.

Use of standards-based grading will be added to more of the district’s schools, and the formerly co-ed middle school soccer teams will be realigned according to gender.