PHILLIPS — Regional School Unit 58 directors announced their first Employee Recognition award at Thursday night’s meeting.

The board recently approved this new program for excellence, and Faith Richard, Review Committee chairwoman, said they received 21 nominations. The committee selected Strong Elementary School seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher Crystal Polk for her dedication and teaching excellence.

Mt. Abram High School students presented board members with proposals to start three new student clubs. Representatives for the Pep Club, Gay-Straight Alliance and Outdoor Adventure Club presented their goals, activities, costs and standards for their groups. Students answered directors’ questions about each group’s organization, anticipated expenses and any possible liability for the district. Staff members volunteered to supervise all three clubs.

In other matters, directors agreed to approve funding for an automated system to open and close bleachers at the Strong Elementary School. The bolts and joints on the bleachers have shown signs of wear and tear and are difficult for the facilities staff to open and close safely. Hussey Seating provided a quote in May to install an automated system. The equipment will cost $11,560. Electrical work will cost approximately $1,300, and the project budget will allow another $1,000 for miscellaneous costs, capping the budget for the entire project at $13,860.

Superintendent Susan Pratt announced the district’s recently hired technology director, Steve Milligan, resigned. Directors approved hiring Sean Tennant, who has been the district’s information technology assistant for many years. Pratt will search for an new assistant to work with Tennant.

Cynthia Dixon, the superintendent’s secretary and office manager, accepted another position. Pratt asked the board to approve hiring former Rangeley Town Manager Tiki White as the new payroll and administrative assistant. Directors also approved hiring two educational technicians.

The district also will make some changes to the way students are transported to ski team practice because the bus they used now belongs to the new Flagstaff Regional School Unit in Eustis. That bus will not be available for the ski students this year, according to Pratt. The district will use one of its buses when winter practice starts, Pratt said, cautioning that transportation availability might not be the same as in previous years.

“There will be days the bus doesn’t run because of adverse weather,” she said.