WALES — Regional School Unit 4 directors were told Wednesday night that efforts to improve student/teacher relationships at Oak Hill Middle School are proving successful.

Ansley Newton, a consultant with the Rand Corp., has worked with students and faculty to create positive relationships through mutual respect and open communication. The school was awarded a grant to pay for the program.

According to the testimonials shared via video, the students feel their learning is enriched because they are encouraged to talk and are able to problem-solve with their peers in a safe, productive manner through communication circles.

Assistant Principal Ben Wilson said he has seen an increase in attendance since starting this practice and finds the students want to be at school and enjoy being able to speak their truths.

Schools from all over the United States are talking about the great results Oak Hill Middle School have achieved, Newton said.

One high school student was hopeful these practices would be brought to Oak Hill High School. A student from Auburn Middle School said he wished his school would also participate in this effort to improve relationships.

In other business, the board:

* Unanimously approved a public hearing on issuing up to $200,000 in bonds or loans to install lights at the Oak Hill High School football field. The hearing is set for 7:30 p.m. May 25. The question will be on the June 14 ballot.

* Approved a trip to the National Fall Leadership Conference for the Future Business Leaders of America Club.

* Elected Jill Hastings as special education director for the 2016-17 school year.

* Approved seeking financing for two school buses, if approved at the school budget meeting.

* Approved accepting Leavitt Area High School into the Oak Hill/Gray New-Gloucester/Poland hockey co-op. The approximate cost of $3,000 will come out of the current budget, Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said.

* Elected Karen Mathieu as literacy coach for pre-kindergarten to fifth grade for the 2016-17 school year. Money for it is not in the budget, Hodgkin said.

* Elected Sarah Joslyn as dean of students at Sabattus Primary, Libby-Tozier and Carrie Ricker schools for the 2016-17 school year, pending approval at the school budget meeting.

The $18.90 million budget for 2016-17 is an increase of $341,000 from this year. The district will get $422,000 less from the state in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

The budget will be presented to the public at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, at the Oak Hill High School gymnasium. A validation vote will be held June 14.

Hodgkin announced the resignation of Oak Hill High School physical education teacher Cheryl Lambert, calling it a “humongous loss” for the school.

Board members at the meeting were Chairman Bob English, Adam Dorman, Nancy Provost, Robert Gayton Jr., Jess Smith, Josh Bisson and Scott Weeks. Absent were Joan Thomas and Jessica Childs.