RUMFORD — The RSU 10 school board got an update on its duties and responsibilities Monday night from two representatives of Maine School Management Association.

It was the first of four workshops to be held during the next few months to improve the district climate, maintain community knowledge and introduce the new superintendent to the community.

In October, two workshops will be held with local legislators to discuss possible legislation affecting education.

Later in the year, Superintendent Craig King said he is planning a workshop with the area’s major employers to learn, among other things, how well prepared RSU 10 students are for the workplace.

On Monday, the major message given to the board was to work together as a team for the benefit of the successful education of the district’s 2,700 students.

“Your only authority is as part of a team,” Elaine Tomaszewski, associate executive director of the Maine School Management Association, said.

“No disparaging remarks should be made about other board members,” she said.

Although the board is free to vote on issues as they wish, once a decision has been made, the entire board should support it, Executive Director Cornelia Brown said.

“You need to focus on student achievement via policies and plans and by having resources in place. You are the chief advocate for students in your district,” she said.

Brown also emphasized the need for the superintendent and the board to work together.

“The board sets the vision for the district. The superintendent makes it happen,” Tomaszewski said. “For strong leadership, the superintendent and the board must have mutual respect and honesty.”

Board member Barbara Chow said a significant amount of disrespect from the community and between board members occurred during the development of the budget.

Brown said a sense of decorum should be maintained.

“Having a strong chair is critical to the board,” she said.

Tomaszewski added that although public participation at board meetings should be maintained, specific time frames must also be adhered to. “It is your business meeting,” she said.

The two speakers said the RSU 10 board, which has members serving from just a month or two to those who have sat on the board for nearly 20 years, was a good mix.

Some of the new board members were surprised to learn that the board must act as a team, rather than working toward their own goals. Others were pleased to learn that an organization called for respect and politeness from board members.

“It’s good to hear it said out loud,” said David Lynch, a new board member from Sumner.

Prior to the workshop session, the board approved the appointments of Lisa Garey as special education teacher at Meroby Elementary School in Mexico and Sally Smith as sixth-grade teacher at Hartford-Sumner Elementary School.