LIVERMORE FALLS — The Regional School Unit 73 board of directors accepted the resignation of Spruce Mountain High School athletic director and Assistant Principal James Black at its meeting Thursday.

Black is leaving to become principal at Mt. Blue Middle School. His last day at Spruce Mountain is Aug. 18.

Black thanked staff, students, the board and Principal Thomas Plourde for a great experience during his time at the high school.

“You guys have treated me so well here,” he said.

A hiring committee will review applications for the position.

The board held a moment of silence for student Brandyn Whelpley, who passed away unexpectedly Aug. 11. He played football for the school, and Plourde said the team wanted to remember him by putting his uniform number on their helmets.

“I will say this past week has been a very somber time for our students and our athletes,” he said.

The board also held a moment of silence for Louise Chabot, longtime Livermore Falls selectman, who recently passed away.

In other news, Plourde said the current senior class did an outstanding job on their SAT tests last spring. Math scores improved 11 percent over the year before, while English and Language Arts results were up 4 percent.

Superintendent Kenneth Healey said Julia Parker had been hired as Central Office administrative assistant.

In other business, the board:

• Approved Kristal Flagg as RSU 73 business manager;

• Approved Nicole Stevenson as Spruce Mountain Primary School first grade teacher for 2017-18;

• Approved Donna Peare as Spruce Mountain High School science teacher for 2017-18;

• Approved Kathleen Brush as Spruce Mountain High School math teacher for 2017-18;

• Approved Natasha Smith as special services teacher for 2017-18; and

• Set its next meetings for 6 p.m. Thursdays, Aug. 24 and Sept. 14, in the Cedar Street Conference Room.

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