WELD — Selectmen are searching for someone to represent the town on the RSU 9 school board, Selectman Nancy Stowell said Monday in a written statement.

“It would be an opportunity to meet folks from surrounding towns and to expand your own education on how a school system operates,” she said. “Your involvement could make a big difference for the Town of Weld.”

If interested, contact Town Clerk Carol Cochran at 585-2348 at the Town Office as soon as possible.

Former RSU 9 representative Paul Druan has cared about education and selflessly served this community for four years on the RSU 9 Board of Directors, Stowell said. He has been dedicated, concerned and conscientious, she said.

His recent letter of resignation has been accepted, with regret, by the Board of Selectmen.

Selectmen must appoint an interim director to serve until the election in March 2013, she said. Whoever is elected would complete the last two years of Druan’s term.

Once appointed, the school board member will become a member of a legislative body within Maine state government, Stowell said.

Each member serves on one or two subcommittees. Board members are only paid for regular and special meetings of the full board. Pay is $15 a meeting for regular and special meetings. They are not paid for committee work or for any mileage. The new member and his/her spouse cannot be employed by RSU 9, she said.

School board members, as elected officials, must complete training on the Freedom of Access Law, which can be done online.

Stowell said to succeed as a board member, there are several basic principles to keep in mind: Share the views of fellow citizens and be willing and able to learn about and analyze complex issues; help the public understand the issues; and work with fellow board members and use best judgment in making decisions.

School board duties include: enacting policy; providing for the planning, expansion, improvement, financing, construction and maintenance of the physical plant of the school system; and prescribing the minimum standards needed for the efficient operation and improvement of the school system.

Also, requiring the establishment and maintenance of records, accounts, archives, management methods and procedures incidental to the conduct of school business; approving the budget, financial reports, audits, major expenditures, payment of obligations, and policies whereby the administration may formulate procedures, regulations, and other guides for the orderly accomplishment of business.

Also, estimating and levying taxes for the operation, support, maintenance, improvement and extension of the school system; adopting courses of study; providing staff and instructional aids; evaluating the educational program to determine the effectiveness with which the schools are achieving the educational purposes of the school system; and providing for the dissemination of information relating to the schools that is necessary for creating a well-informed public.

dperry@sunjournal.com