GREENE — School Administrative District 52 directors Thursday night unanimously approved three new staff members nominated by Superintendent Kimberly Brandt.

They are Pam Warren, fourth-grade teacher at Turner Elementary School; Jaime Lynn Ellis, fourth-grade teacher at Greene Central School; and Carlene Treadwell, guidance counselor at Turner Elementary School.

Theresa Gillis, principal of Turner Elementary School, reported on a conference on supporting students living in poverty that she attended in Bangor. It’s difficult to keep a high value on education when just paying your light bill is at the forefront of your mind, she said.

Gillis said staff have made a few simple changes that seem to be making a difference. They include:

• Changing the way they greet children who arrive late by handing them a pass that says they’re glad they arrived;

• Having lunch workers discuss bills for meals behind the scenes; and

• Developing relationships with parents where there is a problem with absenteeism.

In other news, the Leeds Parent Group is sponsoring benefit spaghetti dinner with a silent auction and a live auction at Leeds Central School on Oct. 14. Proceeds will pay for enrichment programs, field trips, musical instruments and playground equipment.

Superintendent Brandt confirmed that Erika Rivard, Greene Central School special education technician II, successfully completed her probationary period.

The board also voted unanimously to:

• Accept a field hockey scoreboard donated for Leavitt Area High School;

• Approve the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF fundraiser put on by the Leavitt Area High School Key Club. Funds are directed toward the needs of children, such as safe water, medical programs and nutrition; and

• Accept the donation of a voucher from Dick’s Sporting Goods for about $200 for soccer balls for Tripp Middle School in Turner.