BETHEL — The new SAD 44 school year starts next week, and the district is “in good shape as far as positions go,” Superintendent Mark Kenney told the school board Monday.

He said that unlike some other districts, most jobs have been filled. “We feel very fortunate,” he said.

New hires this year largely came from within SAD 44 or were people who lived in this area but worked in other districts, switching to SAD 44 for a shorter commute, he said.

The board approved first probationary contracts for Taylor Beliveau, Grade 3 at Crescent Park School; Tonya Edgerly, special education at CPS; Jody Gray, school nurse (new position approved in the budget); Jill Lovejoy, Grade 3 at CPS; Mark Smith, physical education at TMS.

Also approved was Michelle Danielson as assistant principal at CPS. She had served as kindergarten teacher at that school for 14 years, Kenney said.

John Eliot was reappointed affirmative action officer for the district at a stipend of $1,500. Director Scott Cole of Bethel asked for clarification on what Eliot’s responsibilities are in that position.

Eliot, who attended the meeting, said the job encompasses investigating and resolving complaints that can cover several areas and can include bullying and sexual harassment, and complaints may be made by staff, students or parents. Last year, he said, two cases went to a formal investigation process, while others are resolved informally. Cole wondered how the position title in SAD 44 relates to the traditional understanding of affirmative action, and asked to see the state statute under which it is authorized. Kenney said he would provide it.

A question was also raised by Bethel Director Mark Hutchins regarding a new homework policy that discontinues the assignment of homework for Grades K-8. Hutchins asked that an explanation for the reasoning behind it be provided at a future meeting. Kenney said the elementary and middle school administrators would attend the Sept. 23 board meeting to explain it and answer questions.

Kenney said after the meeting that no homework has become a practice among some teaching staff in those grades, and the policy formalizes it and provides consistency. He said the trend is not peculiar to SAD 44 but is in place in other districts as well.

In other business Scott Parker, who coordinates building emergency plans for SAD 44, said district lockdown drill days are planned for Sept. 19 at Telstar and CPS and Sept. 20 for Woodstock Elementary and Telstar Freshman Academy.

Kenney also updated the board on building and grounds improvements taking place over the summer. Carpets needing replacement are being removed and replaced with tile, including at the WES gym and CPS cafeteria, to facilitate better cleaning. An outside classroom and pavilion space at Telstar has been improved and plantings added, with the help of volunteers.

The next board meeting on Sept. 23 will take place at the Telstar Library at 6:30 pm.