RSU 10 to set long-term goals, approves European trip for high school students

DIXFIELD — The Western Foothills School District board approved a field trip to Europe next summer for any student in the district's high schools in Rumford, Dixfield and Buckfield.

Superintendent Tom Ward said approval was given Monday night for Mountain Valley High School Spanish teacher, Vicki Ojeda, to escort high school students to Spain, France and Italy from July 8 to July 21. The cost for each student will be $3,361, and for adult chaperons, $3,846.

Ward said he expects at least 15 students to take advantage of the educational opportunity. One chaperon for each six or seven students will travel with the group.

Some of the money will be raised through fundraisers that offer a product or service throughout the school year.

The board also heard a presentation by curriculum coordinator Gloria Jenkins and assistant curriculum coordinator Doris Bonneau that within the next few months will result in a three- to five-year, long-term set of goals for the newly created district, also known as Regional School Unit 10.

Titled, "Becoming One," Ward said the goal is to raise student achievement and improve behavior.

The presentation will be made to the staffs of each school, to parents and students, and finally, to the community through a public forum after the Christmas holidays.

Once a plan is written, it will again be reviewed by staff before adoption.

In other merging actions, Ward said a state consultant is working with the district to combine the leadership structure from each former school district.

Also on Monday, the board approved the hiring of Rick Gauvin, who was previously associated with the former Peru Elementary School, as the social worker for the Buckfield area. Michael Lang, formerly of Iowa, was appointed as the guidance counselor at Meroby Elementary School in Mexico.

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday next month, board meetings were set for the second and third Mondays.

eadams@sunjournal.com