LIVERMORE FALLS — The Regional School Unit 73 board began a discussion Thursday night on whether to change the times set aside for teacher professional development from occasional Wednesday afternoons to late-start Wednesday mornings.

The proposed changes are an effort to align the district’s schedule with Foster Technical School in Farmington, which some Spruce Mountain High School students attend.

Students are released after lunch one Wednesday a month so teachers can work on their skills.

The board delayed action on the proposal until they get feedback from the community.

Some parents may have difficulty finding day care for their children, board member Tammy Frost said.

However, board Chairwoman Denise Rodzen said members of AmeriCorps likely will be available to oversee the welfare of children who arrive at the usual school starting time.

In other matters, the board accepted, with regret, the resignations of longtime Livermore Elementary School educational technician Barbara Bilodeau and Spruce Mountain Middle School social studies teacher Lyneta Lewia. Both will retire at the end of the school year.

The board also learned of the resignation of Livermore Falls representative Bert Poisson. That town’s Board of Selectmen is searching for a replacement.

Also, the board will look into developing a policy governing the tradition of students repeating the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the school day. The matter was raised because of a similar issue in another coastal school district.

In other matters:

* Superintendent Kenneth Healey said the latest student population is: Livermore Elementary School, 405; Jay Elementary School, 355; Spruce Mountain Middle School, 366; and Spruce Mountain High School, 447.

* Healey also said members of the state Department of Education will visit the high school March 19 to review the district’s plan and provide guidance on the performance-based diploma process.

* The board met in a closed session at the end of the regular meeting to discuss negotiations for the bus drivers/custodians bargaining unit.

A special meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at the Central Office to review the proposed operating budget for 2015-16.