RANGELEY — The RSU 78 School Board approved three new staff appointments and a student trip to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

Superintendent Sue Pratt announced the resignation of Hannah Johnson as special educational technician II, and the nomination of Heidi Schultz, an ed tech III, to fill that position. Amy Cooper was named Schultz’s replacement, while Philip Oliveri was nominated as an English as a Second Language ed tech III.

The board unanimously approved all three nominations.

The board also approved the move of Ashley Quimby from middle school to high school girls’ assistant basketball coach.

Spanish teacher Kate Philbrick presented the preliminary plans for a student trip to Washington, D.C., next spring. The trip will combine cultural immersion, including visits to landmarks, monuments and museums, with college visits in the area for 10 sophomore and junior students.

The trip is scheduled for five days during April vacation. After school funding and fundraising, the trip will cost each participant approximately $200, plus spending money. The board enthusiastically approved the trip, noting that many students in rural Maine did not have the opportunity for such cultural enrichment.

Pratt reported that this past Thursday, students participated in the Great Northeast Shakeup, an earthquake preparedness training program that involved 29,000 students in New England. While earthquakes are not common in New England, they have occurred. The training coincided with Fire Awareness Day, hosted by fire Chief Tim Pellerin. Rangeley Lakes Regional School Principal Charles Brown said it took students in grades kindergarten to four six minutes to get out of the building to buses.

Pratt said she was impressed by the number of parents who attended the open house last week, and thanked the PTA, which provided lunch.

Student board members Brianna Hall and Tala Ferguson reported that eight students completed Big Brothers/Big Sisters training and are awaiting assignment.

In discussion of the budget process, Pratt said she is prepared to present the administrative budget at either a regular or special meeting in late January. Thereafter, the board will discuss the budget every Tuesday. Updated goal sheets have been distributed, which will be collated and shared to highlight priorities.

In the timeline discussion for the superintendent’s evaluation, Virginia Nuttall accepted Michelle Elliott, Nancy Hilliard and Jennifer Farmer as volunteers for the evaluation committee. Their first meeting, a work/organizational session, is scheduled for Oct. 30. Pratt said she will incorporate feedback into her goal-setting.

Brown has set up a school store at MyLocker.net, a school apparel service that provides a wide range of garments in school colors that can be personalized with activities, clubs and names. The images are embroidered or silk-screened, and there is no minimum order. Up to 12 percent of the price is returned to the school, making it an ongoing fundraiser.