DIXFIELD — Superintendent Craig King told the RSU 10 board Monday night that bus drivers, custodians and secretaries in the Western Foothills Education Association are ready to begin negotiations for a new contract.

Also Monday, King and the board met in closed session to start his annual evaluation. He said contract and salary issues likely will be taken up at the next board meeting May 12.

King became superintendent in July 2013.

In other matters, the board set a Curriculum Committee meeting for 5 p.m. May 14.

Special Education Director Clarissa Errington requested that the board hire a full-time psychologist to replace two contracted psychologists. She said the costs would be the same, or lower, than the current contracts.

The position will be advertised as an anticipated one because the board must approve all new positions, King said.

Other business included:

* Approval for Karolyn Buotte, English teacher and adviser of the Dirigo High School Outing Club, to take 10 students to The Forks on May 10 and 11 for whitewater rafting, and to take part in workshops about canoeing, hiking, fishing and other outdoor activities.

* Business Manager Mary Dailey’s report that RSU 10 received $10,000 more in general purpose aid to education than expected, and that she is having a study done of the district phone lines that could result in significant savings.

* Acceptance of the resignation of longtime special education educational technician Elizabeth Kelly, who is retiring.

* Appointments of Mark Thurlow as Buckfield Junior-Senior High School varsity boys’ basketball coach and of Danville Jack as the school’s junior varsity softball coach.

The board will act on a proposed 2014-15 school budget at their May 12 meeting at Dirigo High School.

RSU 10 is comprised of the towns of Canton, Carthage, Peru, Dixfield, Hanover, Rumford, Roxbury, Byron, Mexico, Buckfield, Hartford and Sumner.