BETHEL — The SAD 44 board learned Monday night that TelstarHigh School received a state MELMAC grant that will cover the costs of college trips, SAT preparation and a variety of other activities that will encourage students to attend higher education.

Superintendent David Murphy said Wendy Ault, executive director of the state MELMAC program provided an overview of the $42,000 grant.

The grant, known as Connect Aspirations to a Plan, will be spread over four years. Administrators and teachers will administer the grant and make plans that could lead to higher aspirations for students.

Other activities funded by the grant include transition activities between eighth-grade and high school, and between high school and college, financial aide workshops, and parental meetings.

Murphy said the district received similar grants in 2003 and 2011.

In other matters, long-time Bethel board member and vice-chairwoman Lainey Cross,was elected as the new chairwoman. She replaces 19-year board member, Sidney Pew from Andover, who chose not to seek another term.

Woodstock representative Marcel Polak was elected as vice-chairman, and Keith Smith, Andover, was chosen as vice-chairman pro tempore.

The board also welcomed newly elected members, former state representative, Tim Carter, and Crossroad’s Diner owner, Frank Del Duca, both of Bethel, who replaced former board members Carol Everett and Kristen Drew, who chose not to run again, and Mark Shraiberg, Andover, who replaced Pew.