LIVERMORE FALLS — Mountain Valley High School in Rumford has challenged Spruce Mountain High School to collect food and money to benefit the Good Shepherd Food-Bank in Auburn.

High school Principal T.J. Plourde told the Regional School Unit 73 board Thursday night that WGME TV in Portland contacted him to take part in the food challenge. The Rumford school challenged Spruce Mountain.

Mountain Valley teacher Donna Peare said via email that students kicked off their food drive at 6 a.m. Friday.

Plourde said a pep rally will be held at Spruce Mountain High School on Oct. 9.

He said about 56,000 pounds of food was collected last year by Wiscasset High School. This year, 13 schools are taking part in the challenge.

In other matters at Thursday’s board meeting, all soccer coaching positions have been filled at Spruce Mountain Middle School in Jay, Principal Scott Albert said.

The soccer season began this week. Robert Goding is coach for eighth-grade boys soccer, and Matt Giustra and Dustin Jones are co-coaches for seventh- and eighth-grade girls soccer. A fourth coach for boys soccer was previously hired.

Other appointments included Chris Boileau, middle school athletic director; Libby Cronkhite, middle school Student Council adviser, and Catherine Siggins, middle school civil rights adviser.

Albert also reported on two computer safety/information meetings held last week for parents. He said a presentation by the Franklin County Children’s Task Force opened the eyes of many parents who had not realized how much harmful behavior, including cyberbullying, could affect students.