Tour to Costa Rica ok'd

MEXICO -- A service learning tour to Costa Rica in April 2014 was approved by the RSU 10 Board of Directors at their meeting on Feb. 25.

The trip is being organized by Buckfield teachers Zachary and Maria Reinstein, who were present to explain the event.

They said the nine-day tour is open to the entire RSU, but restricted to ages 12 and up. Adults will act as chaperones. There will be a minimum of 12 people, but no more than 25.

During the first three days, the students will be helping with the ecosystem, which includes planting trees at schools that they visit. The remainder of the trip will be for touring.

High school students can earn a credit, which includes reading a book about the culture of Costa Rica, then doing a written report.

In other business, among the policies presented for approval, the board approved the first reading for revised policy DFEA, which deals with gate receipts and athletic events.

The board discussed the policy that says admission is free for those ages 60 and over, and whether or not to reduce that to age 55.

Board member Betty Barrett said she thought it should stay at 60 becayse at age 55, many are still working.

Board member Barbara Chow added that some senior from away who attend games are surprised that they don't have to pay.

Supt. Tom Ward noted, "Where's that line, because we want to encourage our seniors on fixed incomes to support our young kids."

It was asked that they research what other schools are doing for free admission for seniors.

The superintendent approved maternity leaves for Amiee Gibbs, Rumford Elementary School grade one teacher, beginning on April 29; and Tanya McPherson, Pennacook Learning Center teacher, effective Feb. 25; approved a short-term family medical leave for Lisa Cote, special education Ed. Tech at the TWK Dirigo Middle School.

The board reappointed Frank DiConzo and Wayne Thurston to additional terms on the Region 9 Cooperative board.

Appointed were Dana Kahkonen as a Dirigo Elementary School special education educational technician, Lorinda Payton and Debra Mawhinney as Mountain Valley Middle School special education educational technicians and Sue Pennington as a BJSHS school nutrition worker for 3.5 hours a day.

Appointed were Owen Libby as TWKDMS assistant track coach; Jenn Swett as TWKDMS JV co-ed soccer coach; Sarah Thurston as Dirigo High School girls' varsity soccer coach; and Jessica McGreevy as Buckfield Junior Senior High School varsity softball coach.

Accepted were the resignations of Nezinscot region bus driver Thomas Adams and MVHS special education teacher and golf coach Robert Fulton.

The board also approved the 2013-14 school calendar that pretty much lines up with the two vocational schools some of the students.

The school calendar for the next school year begins on Aug. 28 and runs through June 6, excluding snow days. For the first time, all school calendars within a district must differ no more than five days, according to state regulations.

Ward said this was particularly difficult to devise because RSU 10 is one of the few districts in the state that includes two vocational regions. The teachers’ association must now review and approve it before it goes into effect.