DIXFIELD — The RSU 10 board Tuesday unanimously approved a three-year contract with the approximately 250 teachers in the 12-town district.

Superintendent Tom Ward said teachers will receive a 1.25 percent raise for 2013-14, 1.5 percent for 2014-15, and 1.75 percent for 2015-16.

The share of health insurance benefits paid by the district will remain at 94 percent for single employees, and 84 percent for families of two or more.

Ward said some minor changes were made to the process used for hiring coaches. Beginning July 1, current coaches or others in co-curricular positions who live outside the district will be given equal consideration for rehiring with qualified teachers/coaches from the district.

“We want our present coaches to be able to reapply for their positions each year and have an equal opportunity through the interview process to be rehired,” he said.

In other matters at this week’s meeting, the board:

* Approved transportation for an overnight trip by fifth-graders at Rumford Elementary School to the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond for June 6 and 7. School Principal Chris Decker said the costs for the nearly 40 students will be paid by the Maine Cooperative Extension and the district’s after-school program.

This will be the first time fifth-graders will have a chance to take part in the lakeside classroom at Bryant Pond. Middle school students participate in two- to four-day sessions there.

* Approved a first reading of a new policy regulating use of service animals in RSU 10 schools. Board member and Policy Committee member Barbara Chow said a student with a service animal is expected to begin classes at the beginning of the upcoming school year.

* Accepted the resignation of veteran teacher Valerie Wolstencroft, who is retiring. She has served as a literacy teacher at Dirigo Middle School for 26 years.

* Officially adopted a 10-year facility plan for the schools and buildings in the district. It ensures maintaining some form of a high school in each region.

* Eliminated one June board meeting and set the only one for June 17. This will be Ward’s final board meeting before he becomes superintendent of RSU 9 in Farmington.

* Announced graduations will begin at 6 p.m. for Mountain Valley High School in Rumford on Thursday, June 6; Dirigo High School in Dixfield on Friday, June 7; and Buckfield Junior-Senior High School on Saturday, June 8.