DIXFIELD — The RSU 10 board approved the first readings of three policies concerning school activity-related concussions or other head injuries Monday night.

Superintendent Tom Ward said the policies provide regulations and procedures that must be followed whenever a suspected head injury is reported or observed.

“We’ve put this on the front burner of awareness,” he said Tuesday. “We will watch it more closely.”

Among the requirements called for in the Management of Concussions and Other Head Injuries policy is the establishment of a committee that will assure that all procedures are followed.

That committee will be made up of the athletic trainer, district physician, school nurse, one or more principals or assistant principals and a school administrator. Ward may also appoint anyone else he believes should be on the committee.

He said the district won’t wait until a student notifies a staff member of the possibility of a head injury.

“If we recognize it, we check them out,” Ward said.

A total of 19 head injuries were reported during the 2011-12 school year, board member Barbara Chow said Monday. Ward believes the seemingly high number is the result of greater awareness of possible head injuries.

He said such injuries could be the result of playing in any contact sport, physical education classes, and recess activities.

The three policies approved for first reading Monday include a concussion information sheet and well as procedures to follow in the case of a suspected injury.

The policies are expected to be adopted at the Dec. 10 board meeting.