Donald Salm is expected to be offered a contract in the next

few weeks.
By Caroline King
Special to the Sun Journal

RANGELEY – The Rangeley Lakes Regional School Committee on Tuesday approved the nomination of Donald Salm as principal and dean of students at Rangeley Lakes Regional School.

The native Texan is principal of the Beatrice Rafferty School at the Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation north of Eastport, a post he has held for two years. He is expected to assume his new positions of principal for elementary grades and dean for high school grades in November.

Salm said he and his wife, Penny, “are looking to be part of a strong community. Rangeley has always been the place on the other side of the state, but it is prettier than the coast.”

Superintendent Ken Coville said he anticipates issuing a contract to Salm over the next several weeks.

Coville provided the committee with the Maine Educational Assessment report for the school that shows results “were comparable to state averages” for fourth-, eighth- and 11th graders in math, science and technology, social studies and visual and performing arts. The report shows “in every content area, female students in Rangeley are achieving higher than male students,” he said.

The Spanish 3 class of four members was granted initial approval to begin planning and raising money for a four-day trip to Puerto Rico from March 23-26. The purpose is to expand their understanding of the culture and use their language skills.

Senior Parker Lyons said students will need to collectively raise $4,000, with $350 each of their own. Instructor Beth Bartlett and another chaperone are expected to accompany the students.

The Committee reached a consensus on a substance/tobacco use and co-curricular eligibility policy. It would prohibit selling, furnishing or consuming drugs, alcohol, look-alike drugs or tobacco or being in attendance at a place or event where underage or unlawful use of drugs, alcohol or look-alike drugs is openly occurring. The policy would be effective from the first day of the soccer season through the end of the school year, including weekend and school vacations.

First-time offenders will be excluded from all co-curricular eligibility for at least 90 days and be required to complete an approved substance abuse counseling programs; second-time violators will lose eligibility for at least 180 days and undergo mandatory counseling; and third-time offenders will be permanently ineligible for co-curricular activities.

The final draft of the policy will be presented at the next committee meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at the school.

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