RANGELEY — The School Board honored retiring Principal Sherry Connally at Tuesday’s meeting.

Chairman Pam Ellis presented Connally with a framed certificate of thanks and appreciation, noting she had received a present and a gift certificate from the board at her farewell dinner.

Connally described meeting with the new RSU 78 superintendent, Susan Pratt, and the new Rangeley Lakes Regional School principal, Charles Brown, to brief them on the school’s administration and functioning.

Her last official act with the board was to present a draft of the school’s mission statement. She suggested the statement can be tweaked, perhaps presented in graphic form, but that the new board and administration must decide how to proceed.

Ellis also thanked outgoing board members Carol Hall, Crystal Haley, Chris Farmer and Sheri Oldham for their service, before turning the meeting over to Jennifer Farmer and leaving for another engagement.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. July 9 to elect its chairman and vice chairman, as well as staffing committees.

Middle school teacher Robin George presented a request for an overnight field trip to Acadia National Park next fall. A similar trip is scheduled every three years as an educational and bonding experience for the students. The board unanimously approved the trip.

Superintendent Brian Foster announced the resignations of educational technician Brenda Rogers, and high school math teacher Jessica Ellingwood-Simpson.

Foster also announced that bids received from A-One Builders of Rangeley and Carvel Putnam of Skowhegan for painting the gymnasium were considerably higher than the $6,000 budgeted. Complying with Chris Farmer’s suggestion, the board voted to not accept the bids and to postpone the painting of the gym until possible water intrusions have been inspected.

Copy the Story Link