DIXFIELD — RSU 10 middle school students will have a chance to participate in football this year, thanks to efforts by Area Youth Football and approval by the school board Monday night.

Money for the programs at Mountain Valley and Dirigo middle schools was cut from the 2014-15 school budget.

Area Youth Football President Jeff Gilbert said the organization has met with parents and others and the decision was made to sponsor a middle school football program. He said the organization will hold fundraisers and use the equipment available at Mountain Valley Middle School for this first year.

The board unanimously approved the plan for one year.

Students in grades six through eight will make up the new team, which will be named later. Players will also choose the colors for the team.

Cost for each participant will be $35. Sign-ups will be held July 30 and 31, with the first practice Aug. 8 in Rumford.

Gilbert said suggestions for the team name and colors are already being taken.

Superintendent Craig King said players from Dirigo Middle School in Dixfield will be transported by district buses to the practice site in Rumford. Also, he will check into the possibility of having the district transport students to away games.

Gilbert assured the board that all safety regulations will be followed, as well as all grades required by district policy.

Area Youth Football is raising money to buy about 50 jerseys for players.

Longtime Mountain Valley Middle School football coach Gary Dolloff will coach the new team.

In other matters on Monday, board Chairman Jerry Wiley was appointed as district representative to the Region 11 School of Applied Technology board.

The RSU 10 board received letters of resignation from Dirigo Elementary School librarian Cindy Petherbridge, Buckfield Junior-Senior High School half-time business teacher Janet Wicks, Mountain Valley High School guidance secretary Tami Jamison, Dirigo Elementary School half-time music teacher Scott Dunbar and Mountain Valley Middle School special education teacher LeeAnn Crockett.

King was authorized to hire professional staff in July and August with the final approval by the board.

Craig Milledge was hired as a Mountain Valley Middle School generalist teacher for one year, and Melissa Carrier was appointed Dirigo High School junior varsity girls’ soccer coach for the upcoming season.

The board will meet again Aug. 11.