RANGELEY — The RSU 78 board of directors on Tuesday awarded certificates of appreciation to outgoing members and served cake and punch.

Student members Tala Ferguson and Brianna Hall, who are graduating seniors, and Harold Schaetzle, who has served for a total of 13 years, were honored. Also retiring but not present were Brad Stokes and Michele Elliott.

Superintendent Sue Pratt has met with the Dean of Education at the University of Maine at Fort Kent and agreed to partner with the university, which is offering online college courses for $90 to $120 for a three-hour course. There is no charge to Rangeley Lakes Regional School, which serves grade K-12.

Fort Kent is partnered with other school systems in the state and is reaching out to Western Maine. High school students can sign up by the last day of classes for next fall’s courses.

Pratt said the high school received no grade from the state because it requires a minimum of 10 graduating seniors for two years to calculate a grade. Based on last October’s testing, the elementary school received a C.

Principal Charles Brown outlined several strategies to improve the grade, including maximizing class time and supported study time for special education students, and new plans for students with behavioral problems that cause class disruptions.

Pratt said the new budget will positively affect this data in the future.

A meeting on the proposed 2014-15 school budget is scheduled for 6 p.m. June 3 in the gym and voters can raise or lower amounts.

After a brief executive session, the board returned to open session and voted for a 2½ percent wage increase for individual contracts.

The board unanimously approved the Finance Committee’s recommendation to continue insurance coverage with the Maine Municipal Association, which had the lowest bid and returns a dividend each year if there are no claims.

The board also declined a tuition agreement with Errol Consolidated Elementary School in New Hampshire. Board member Tom Rideout said parents in Magalloway Plantation are satisfied with the Rangeley school and do not wish to send their children to New Hampshire, even though it is marginally closer.

Chris Farmer, a spokesperson for the ad hoc Building Committee, suggested three motions, which were approved. They are: to allow expansion of the committee to include more faculty, community members and at least one member of the select board; to support addressing issues of handicap access, maximization of space, science lab upgrades and system upgrades, including the elevator and ventilation system; and to search for an architect to develop a concept plan and a funding timeline.

The committee plans to release a flyer to generate interest.