RANGELEY — At Tuesday night’s school board meeting, Ginger Castle spoke on behalf of her husband, Toby, who wants to organize Rangeley Lakes Regional School’s first band in 20 years.
The first part of getting the band started, obtaining the instruments, could already be in place, she said.
Toby Castle runs The One Man Band, a music supply company, specifically tailored to school bands.
With that business set to come into town, Castle has offered to rent instruments to Rangeley students for a year. They would only have to cover the price of an annual cleaning: $25.
As part of his plan, Castle also offered to teach lessons, each would cost a student $11, with the school chipping in $4.
Several board members expressed enthusiasm about a new band, though they agreed they would have to have further discussion until they could reach a decision at the Oct. 11 meeting.
Board member Virginia Nuttall remembered the previous band.
“I think it was successful in the past, when we had resources,” she said.
Fourth-grade students in Rangeley are taking lessons in playing the recorder, which gives them a background in wind instruments. They also learn to read music — a key skill for playing in a large band.
The school will also be getting new outdoor basketball courts. Katie Pye of the Parent Teacher Association announced that a Vermont company would pave on Thursday and Friday, though Pye said the school could use volunteers to help erect backboards.
“We are so grateful that it’s getting done this fall,” Pye said.
After the courts go in, however, the final sealant coat and lines will not be applied until the spring. As a protection against cracking in the winter cold, the company recommended that the school pile snow atop the surface to act as an insulator.
Superintendent Brian Foster announced that the school would be buying its fuel oil from S-K Quality Fuels of Oquossoc, which won the bid for the price of $3.20 a gallon. Typically, Foster said, the school goes through 16,000 gallons in a year. “Hopefully, this warm weather will continue right through until January,” Foster said.
In other business, the board heard about Thursday’s Empty Bowl fundraising event. Students in the New Alternative program will be hosting it for the Garden Club. Soup made with vegetables grown in the student garden will be served in ceramic bowls students made by hand.
Diners who donate $10 will be able to walk away with the bowls they eat from.
The dinner will be at 6 p.m. at the school.
Teachers Jeannette Jacobs and Shirley Schrader helped organize the event while art teachers Lily Gacki and Sonja Johnson assisted students with the bowls. Nini Christenson will help with cooking.
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