DIXFIELD — The Western Foothills Regional School Unit 10 board on Wednesday unanimously voted to require all three high schools in the district to mandate that 24 credit hours be earned before graduation.

For Dirigo High School, no changes will be made since Principal Michael Poulin said students must now successfully complete 24 credit hours. A few changes may be made, however, including giving students the option of taking biology, rather than Integrated Science II, as part of the four science courses. Dirigo is also the only high school of the three that requires all students to earn a half credit through community service.

Mountain Valley High School currently requires 22 credit hours. Principal Matt Gilbert said his school plans to offer a required credit that will enable students to focus on goal setting and self-reflection, as well as requiring one additional elective credit. He said the core courses of four credits each for English, math, science and social studies all require specific courses.

George Reuter, principal of Buckfield Junior-Senior High School, said 23 credits are now required for graduation. The additional credit will involve strengthening of the advisory program and development of portfolios.

Ward said all three high schools currently exceed the requirements set by the state.

The new credit requirement will go into effect for the classes of 2015.

In other matters, the board voted to raise the cost of elementary and secondary lunches by 10 cents beginning in the fall. Food services director Jeanne LaPointe had originally asked for a 25 cent increase, but that proposal met with opposition from many on the board.

She said the current prices of $1.75 for elementary and middle school students, and $2 for high school students does not meet the reimbursement rate provided by the government.

The board compromised on an increase, with a plan to incorporate a portion of the food service costs into the next budget.

About 35 to 37 percent of RSU 10 students pay full price. The remainder are eligible for reduced price or free lunches.

LaPointe said breakfast is also offered free to all students, and fresh fruits and vegetables are available several times a week at most schools.

Also on Wednesday:

* Dirigo High School Spanish teacher Amity Beane was granted a one-year, unpaid leave of absence to integrate technology at a school in the Dominican Republic.

* Approval was given to Buckfield Junior-Senior High School music teacher Ethan Wright to take about 30 choral students to New York next March to compete in the Heritage Festival. Students will raise the funds for the trip.

* Approved a whitewater rafting trip for July 15 for about 20 Mountain Valley region girls who will become high school students in the fall. Gilbert said the Girl Talk Program, which aims to help young girls transition from middle to high school, will be funded by NewPage Corp.

* Approved raising the laptop protection plan, otherwise known as insurance, from $35 to $45 per year.

* Certified the school budget vote from Tuesday’s election.

* Set just two board meetings for the summer. They are at 6:30 p.m. July

11 and Aug. 15 at the central office in Dixfield. If a matter requiring quick action comes up, then a special meeting will be called.