By MATT LINDSEY

CANTON – Student trips to France and Costa Rica were approved at the Canton Central Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Jan. 19.

The board also made several appointments, accepted resignations and laid out a budget calendar.

Canton Central Spanish Club students will take their first ever trip as a club during spring break in mid-April, Superintendent William Gregory said.

“Students will report on their experience when they get back,” he said.

The 10-day trip to Costa Rica will include 12 students, a Spanish teacher and a principal.

“This is the first trip for Spanish Club students in my 16 years here,” Gregory said.

While some students are flying to Costa Rica, 10 Canton Central students will join youth from Potsdam Central for a join trip to France as part of an exchange program.

Both clubs held fundraisers to help offset costs and families have contributed to the trips financially.

Meanwhile, the BOE agreed to begin school budget discussions at their Feb. 9 meeting. They will cover the governor’s proposed budget and look at the fiscal overview for the district.

“I am hopeful we will have sufficient funding to retain the 17 positions that were added last year,” Gregory said. “I am not sure we will be in a position to add.”

In other news, the board accepted the resignation of teacher aide Melinda Davis, effective Jan. 20.

A leave of absence was granted to elementary teacher Christen Massia from Jan. 31 through March 17. Catherine Carr was appointed long-term substitute to fill in for Massia. Carr will be paid $100 for the first 10 days and then will be paid $213.20 per day retroactive to the first ten consecutive days.

Lisa Thompson was appointed a teacher’s aide effective Jan. 27 and will earn $9.75 per hour. John White II was received a probationary appointment effective Jan. 27 and will earn a prorated salary of $35,000.