RANGELEY – An interim principal for Rangeley Lakes Regional School will be chosen this week, Superintendent Ken Coville told the Board of Education Monday.

Coville provided the board with an update on the selection and the status of a search for a permanent replacement. Two qualified candidates have applied to be interim principal, he said.

Three people have requested applications for the permanent principal position so far.

Information about the vacancy has been placed on Web sites and ads will be running in print media over the coming week.

Russ Brooks was appointed to serve as the school board member on the Principal Selection Committee.

The public is invited to give input into the establishment of school priorities and necessary character traits of the permanent principal position during a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School.

Coville provided a written update about a new initiative to provide tutoring to students outside of the school day. The eligibility requirements, results tracking mechanism, and a method of tutor selection will be determined over the next month. Tutoring will likely begin after student assessments in October.

Rangeley Lakes Regional School meets the federal No Child Let Behind act and all Maine mandates for supplemental education.

“We were lucky and smart to meet these criteria on schedule and under budget,” Coville said.

The school has received a grant for Advanced Placement English Literature.

Coville commended the custodial staff for preparing classrooms for school opening. All classroom light diffusers have been cleaned and damaged/cracked ones replaced. The new surface for the gym floor will be completed in the coming week, he said.

Principal Sue Foltz reported that a Maine Community Arts Foundation grant was awarded to the school. The grant, now in its third year, is a collaborative effort between the school, Rangeley Friends of the Arts and the Rotary Club.

Beth Bartlett made a brief presentation about the Middle School Foreign Language program. Its goal is to work with the current sixth-grade students so that upon completion of their eighth-grade year they will be able to pass the French 1 exam and begin high school at the French 2 level. Current seventh- and eighth-grade students would be eligible to participate in an accelerated French 1 program upon entering high school.

Susan Ruppert was promoted from Education Technician I to Education Technician II. She will become the kindergarten aide for 5 hours per day.

Kim Haley will replace her as an Education Technician I. She has previously served in this position and will provide playground, lunchroom and study hall supervision of students.

The Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook were reviewed by board members, adopted and will be distributed at the beginning of the school year.

Prior to approval of the Student Handbook, there was a lengthy discussion of the student handbook’s drug, alcohol and tobacco policy. The policy will be revisited at the next school board meeting to ensure adherence.

Rick Goddair was appointed as a school board member on the Dropout Prevention Committee.

Coville reported on the Citizens Initiative on Property Tax Relief and a competing measure presented by Gov. John Baldacci and how each might impact the school. The board voted to endorse the Citizens Initiative on Property Tax Relief.

The next Board of Education meeting is at 6 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School.