RANGELEY – There were two new faces at the Rangeley School Board meeting Tuesday night. Rosie LaPointe and Savannah White joined the board as student representatives. This is a first in the school’s history.

“I didn’t realize the school board touched on so many issues. That surprised me.” said White, a senior at Rangeley High School. LaPointe, also a senior, added, “It’s interesting to know more of what is going on.”

The two reported to the board on new projects the student council is undertaking, including helping the middle school to organize its own student council and addressing the high school dress code and the issue of facial piercing. The board welcomed the student representatives and Superintendent Mike Buckley invited them to feel free to comment on issues before the board.

Students who attended the Student Leadership Conference in Washington for 11 days in July gave a presentation on their trip. Focusing on health care, the students attended a speech given by Surgeon General Richard Carmona and participated in biomedical debates on issues ranging from physician-assisted suicide to human cloning.

“It was inspiring to see so many people with the same vision,” said participant Kelly Brooks.

When asked why participation in future conferences is important, and why the board should continue funding the trip, attendees responded:

“It reinforced my thoughts and desires to be a leader.”

“It changed who we are.”

“It was an inspiring experience to find people that share your same goals.”

The board currently gives $1,000 to one student for the trip. Maryam Emami, organizer of the trip, voiced her hope that the board will increase funding.

Superintendent Buckley read the Adequate Yearly Progress report, a measure of year-to-year student achievement on statewide assessments and part of the No Child Left Behind Act, a program that establishes state academic standards and a testing system that meets federal requirements. Rangeley school students are faring well, with averages above the state standards in both reading and math.

Buckley said more than 200 schools in Maine failed to meet the standards.

In other business, the board unanimously voted to hire Vanessa Adams of Oquossoc as the new school nurse, heard reports on the success of the newly formed Outdoor Club, voted to pass a proposal to split the seventh- and eight-grade foreign language classes in half, to more manageable sizes, and to allow the formation of a foreign language club with an emphasis on foreign travel for students. Plans were discussed for the open house being held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25.