CARIBOU — Caribou school directors awarded a contract to Northern Sales Inc. for a gas-powered, 72-passenger 1990 Chevrolet bus with a Thomas body. The bid was the lowest of four received from Northern Sales, MPG Inc., John T. Cyr, and Daigle and Houghton.

At the Wednesday meeting, the department chairman, Lynn McHatten, and guidance counselors gave directors an outline of guidance services provided to the school system.

They also heard a report from Robert Duprey, the marketing instructor at the regional vocational center, and from four students enrolled in the Distributive Education Clubs of America, about a recent trip to San Jose, Calif.

Making the trip were Duprey, Tony Roy, Gerry Bechard, Bobbi Mazerolle and Nichole Smith. Duprey discussed the marketing program, and the students talked about their experiences and success in state and national DECA competition. Bechard was one of the top 20 finalists in the national competition and the first from Maine to hold that position.

Dan Lander, director of the Performing Arts Center, talked about the operation and activities of the center this year and its goals. He discussed the high school drama program that was reactivated this year and the group’s one-act play that was entered in the state competition in Waldoboro.

Superintendent Irvin G. Belanger reported that the school system’s teachers had ratified a salary proposal. He reported on staffing needs for the 1990-91 school year and on the status of the Hilltop Elementary School playground project.

He said that the high school science department had been awarded a grant for $2,184 from the University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation to purchase equipment, and that the foundation had awarded $1,000 each to seniors Christopher Forsman, Ghent Holdsworth and Aisling Brigid-Welch.

Belanger commended members of the Parent Teacher Organization for their outstanding efforts during Teacher Appreciation Week and for including the entire school staff in the observance.

Chairman Kenton Nadeau appointed directors Betsy Weiss and Alan Hunter to serve on the Teague Park Restoration Project Committee.

During an executive session, central office salaries and evaluations were discussed.