RANGELEY — The RSU 78 School Board spent much of its meeting Tuesday discussing the search for a new principal and new superintendent.

Superintendent Brian Foster and Principal Sherry Connally are retiring at the end of this school year.

Virginia Nuttall of the superintendant search committee reported that the committee placed ads on websites and in Maine newspapers Friday, including the Lewiston Sun Journal and the Rangeley Highlander.

Applications are available on the school’s website, rangeleyschool.org; click on employment opportunities. The deadline is March 9. The interview committee, which is advisory to the board, will include staff, parents and community members.

The board’s discussion of the search for a principal brought many conflicting ideas.

Board member Sheri Oldham said the search would probably not yield many candidates with K-12 expertise, so the search should seriously look for two candidates, one for kindergarten to grade eight, and one for the high school.

Board member Michelle Elliot countered that she thought two principals would make the administration too top-heavy.

Board memberGinny Nuttall reasoned that the question is likely to come down to who applies, and the choice should remain flexible.

Since the superintendant makes the nomination based on interviews by a committee, the board instructed Foster to put together an ad for the position soon so a new principal could be in place by July 1.

Foster reported he and Connally met with police, fire and U.S. Border Patrol officers to discuss the school’s emergency plan. There will be a follow-up meeting March 6 to plan training and drills for the faculty, staff and students.

Principal Connally reported that Franklin Savings Bank has offered to donate funds for a four-person scorers’ table for the gym. The bank has already donated a table to Mt. Blue High School in Farmington , and decided to extend the offer to each school in the bank’s area, up to $3,500 per school.

Board member Steve Dudley reported that the budget for this year is complete and is similar to last year except for computer purchases and facilities projects.

Foster explained how Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed budget would impact the school.

“There’s nothing to say but that the governor’s budget is extremely detrimental to schools,” Foster added. “Things are going to be difficult.”

Victor Borko is conducting band lessons at the school for 24 students with a possibility of three more. Borko said the school needs guitars, because there’s a great interest in learning to play them.

Jazz musician Mike Schrader has expressed interest in buying the school’s baritone saxophone for $1,000. Having determined that the offered price is good market value, the board approved selling the instrument and applying the price toward the purchase of guitars.

The board also approved the field trip request from music teacher Erin Smith to take four of her students to the New England Music Festival from  March 21-23 in Connecticut. Funding is part of the school’s music budget, and students will be staying with host families.

The contract for maintenance of the school grounds was awarded to Chip Smith of The Green Thumb. His bid was $34,000 per year for two years.