LIVERMORE FALLS — The new mission statement for Spruce Mountain High School calls for high academic standards, accountability, perseverance, broadening arts and multicultural experience and closer communication with families and the community.

Adopted recently by the RSU 73 board, the statement was written by the school’s Leadership Team and based on a Vision Statement adopted by the board last month. The team asked the board to base all its decisions on the statements.

“Our hope is that the vision and mission statements will be in front of you as you develop the budget,” team member Sue St. Pierre said. “These are living documents and can be readjusted as we come together, and they are critical parts of how the New England Association of Schools and Colleges operate.”

NEASC is the accreditation organization for schools.

“We as a staff are very concerned about spacing as we come together,” St. Pierre said. “Our kids deserve a decent school to be in.”

The goal is to have all high school students at one site by the beginning of school year 2013-14. They are now in Jay and Livermore Falls.

The board is currently working with an engineer to try to find sufficient space to accommodate all 500-plus secondary students in Jay.

Leadership Team member Susan Spaulding also presented a list of recommendations, including:

* Reconsidering the proposed building project at Spruce Mountain High School in Jay that was voted down by residents last May;

* Building closer relationships with the community;

* Maintaining NEASC accreditation;

* Improving communication among the school staff, board and superintendent;

* Increasing the number and variety of elective courses; and,

* Appointing a principal, vice principal and dean of students for the combined high school.

The board set a special meeting for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, at the Central Office in Livermore Falls to review options for housing high school students at one site.