DIXFIELD — The RSU 10 board hired a new assistant principal for Dirigo High School and signed a two-year contract for the newly hired superintendent when they met Monday night.

Monday’s board meeting was also the last for Superintendent Tom Ward, who leaves at the end of the week, and for Buckfield board member Maida Demers-Dobson and Hanover board member Dan Force.

Barbara Chow, a representative from Dixfield, started her school board work on the former SAD 21 board 10 years ago when Ward began his tenure as superintendent of that district. The former SAD 21, along with the former SAD 43, Rumford-Mexico, and former SAD 39, Buckfield, merged into RSU 10 four years ago. Chow was then elected as representative from the Dirigo district to sit on the board.

“You’ve done outstanding work, and this is your last board meeting. I’m going to miss you,” she said. Her statement was followed by a round of applause for Ward, who is leaving to head up neighboring RSU 9 in Farmington.

Ward will likely provide whatever assistance newly hired Superintendent Craig King may need during his first few weeks.

King was hired to replace Ward at an earlier meeting. He currently serves as principal of Mt. Ararat in Topsham and was granted a two-year contract with RSU 10 beginning July 1. His salary for 2013-14 will be $114,000. The second year’s salary will be determined at a later date.

Michael Hutchins, who is the current assistant principal for Lewiston High School, was hired to serve as assistant principal and athletic director for Dirigo High School under Principal Michael Poulin.

King’s contract and Hutchins’ appointment were made following two closed sessions that lasted about 40 minutes.

Steve Ouellette of Jay had been hired a few weeks ago to fill the Dirigo High School AP/AD position, but has since decided not to take the position and will remain with his current school district in Gardiner as an administrator.

Hutchins replaces former AP/AD Chris Moreau.

Force resigned from his board position because he will be out of state for about half the year. Demers-Dobson was narrowly defeated for another three-year term by Michelle Casey.

In other matters, the board approved taking out a $4 million revenue anticipation note to be used as needed to meet payroll until school taxes come in. The funds will be available from Androscoggin Bank at a .84 percent interest rate. Ward said the district used $2.1 million of the $4 million it was allowed to borrow during the current year.

He said normally district carryover funds would be used, but because of the merger four years ago that required leftover monies from each member district to be returned to the towns, RSU 10 has not yet been able to build up carryover money.