Minutes of April 3, 2025

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF April 3, 2025

Current Board Members- 

        North Berwick-  Lauren Janousek, Kate Whalen, Joshua Tabor

                           Berwick- Alison Herlihy, Elva Lovejoy, Peg Wheeler

                           Lebanon- Nancy Sewell, Jeridene Basko, Nancy Neubert

(For a full account of this meeting please review the video here…Link you can choose to view the transcript in progress by clicking CC for subtitles.)

Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to go into executive session for Executive Session Pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A §405(6)(B) Expulsion of Student. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 6:06 pm. Out 6:35 pm. 

Ms Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Stanton to go into executive session for Executive Session Pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A §405(6)(B) Expulsion of Student. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 6:44 pm. Out 7:44 pm. 

Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to expel the student under consideration. All members voted in favor except Ms. Herlihy and the motion passed. 

Mr. Tabor  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to expel the student under consideration. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person on April 3, 2025 at 7:54 pm with all members attending except 

Pledge of Allegiance

There were 46 in the audience. 

Ms. Whalen read the public input statement. 

Public Input:

Ms. Gabrielle Anderson of Berwick shared her comments regarding the reconfiguration and asked that the board consider a long term strategic plan from all stakeholders as we move forward to support our students and educators.  She also asked that we consider keeping at least one kindergarten jumpstart program as it is so beneficial for those students coming in who may require early intervention programs. She also encouraged that we keep our class sizes as small as they can. She also shared her support for the contracts for staff as it’s important to adequately pay for quality educators.  She also asked that the board remember the call of the public last budget season to reinstate funds to support programming. She asked that the board reach out and talk with their constituents, particularly those that challenge their opinions. 

Ms. Jen Spursanksy shared her concerns regarding the mailer that was distributed. Factual data is important and should be cleared up. She reviewed the flyer and noted the numbers that she felt were inaccurate. She discussed the discrepancies between publicly available data and what was reported on the flyer (ex. The budget when the current incumbent NB board member joined the board and the current proposed budget). Ms. Spursansky also noted her concerns about the interactions on line between herself and another current board member where she perceived the board member's approach as dismissive and seemingly representing specific community interests rather than focusing primarily on what would benefit the children.

Lilyanna Anderson of  Berwick spoke up regarding her own experience with her teachers and their support. She noted that she has a learning disability and because of her teachers she has been successful. She encouraged the board not to cut any staff, teachers or assistant principals. 

Minutes: 

Ms. Basko made the motion and it was seconded by Ms Whalen to table  the minutes of the March 6, 13, and 20th  2025 meetings to a future date for approval. All members voted in favor  and the motion passed. 

Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to table item 5 to a future meeting and add a discussion regarding the graduation date. 

Approval of 2026-27 School Calendar

The board reviewed the school calendar for FY 27. Board members asked questions specifically around the December 23rd date and Ms. Janousek asked for the potential to reduce that 23rd date to a half day rather than a full day. The board asked for a bit more time to review the calendar and think about the December dates. 

The board then discussed formalizing the graduation date of Friday, June 6th at 6:30  pm.  Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to set the graduation date of Friday, June 6, 2025 at 6:30 pm. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Adoption of Support Staff’s Contract Agreement 

Moved until a future meeting. 

The Adoption of the FY 26 district budget.  

The board then held their final conversation regarding the adoption of the FY 26 budget.  Members asked specific questions about various areas of the budget. Ms. Herlihy asked that we consider putting the approximate $21,000 back into the budget for intramurals.  Ms. Janousek and Ms. Whalen agreed. 

Ms. Janousek asked about the potential of charging for parking stickers at NHS. Mr. Dufort, principal of NHS spoke to the potential challenges of the program. 

How about an intramural fee rather than the sticker fee. We determined that we could talk about this in the future. 

Mr. Tabor asked whether the administration considered moving MHA as part of the re-configuration?  That was not considered at this time. 

Mr. Tabor also asked  two questions about Pre-K: (1) Do we have any update on pre-schools in our area that might be interested in partnering with the district in future years of offering pre-school? (2) Do we know the impact of our anticipated Pre-K programs on private pre-school enrollment in our district? It was stated that we didn't know much about the impact, but based on the survey there was minimal impact.

The board also heard from Technology Director Ms. Brigette Dumont regarding the use of technology in the elementary schools based on the feedback from teachers on what is impactful, how much time they spend on devices, etc.  Of the 20 respondents (and there will be more as we go forward), 12- less than 30 minutes, 5- 30-60 minutes and 3- responded 1-2 hours and those were of the higher grade levels. In the K level, all at the less than 30 minute range.  More information can be provided once the survey has been out longer. 

Prior to the voting on the budgets, Ms. Basko commented: Denise, well done on the work of the budget.  Several board members agreed with that. Ms. Van Campen noted that it was a very big group effort. 

Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy to put intramurals back into the budget. All members voted in favor except Ms. Sewell and Ms. Basko and the motion passed. 

Ms. Wheeler  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to approve the FY 26 school budget of  $49,894,591 and the local share of  $26,416,991.  All members voted in favor except Mr. Tabor, Ms. Sewell and Ms. Basko and the motion passed. 

The board then moved on to the adult education budget.  There was some question regarding the fund balance and whether or not to add some funds in to not utilize all of the fund balance. 

Ms. Herlihy made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to raise the Local Share for the adult education budget from $90,265 to $150,000.  All members voted in favor except Mr. Tabor, Ms. Sewell and Ms. Basko and the motion passed. 

Ms. Wheeler  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms Herlihy to approve the FY 26 Adult Education Budget of $308,867 and local share of $150,000.  All members voted in favor except Ms. Basko and Ms. Sewell and the motion passed.

Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded Ms. Stanton to approve the FY 26 School Nutrition program budget of $2,443,364 with a local share of $0.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

Ms. Janousek asked about the district budget meeting that will occur on May 8th and how that might impact the reorganization if it is voted down at that meeting (or at the June referendum).  The Superintendent clarified that at the May 8th meeting a budget will be finalized by those who attend the budget meeting and then the June referendum will be the approval of the school budget. If it is voted down in June, that will mean that we have to re-evaluate the draft budget, honoring the contracts that are in place but bring forth a modified budget for the voters to approve. 

Employment: None

Superintendent Update: 

The District Art Show last week was well attended and well received. 

District Band Concert is Wednesday April 9 at Noble High School with all of our grades 3-12 bands performing. 

Noble Middle School received the BARR merit this year which is a

ELKS was recently highlighted in the PBIS for improving student absenteeism (etc). PBIS has been a very positive program within our elementary schools. 

Other:  

Noble’s Got Talent was last week and it was fabulous!

Ms Herlihy gave a shout out to the high school guidance department for their help with navigating the pathways to college.

Ms. Wheeler noted a request by Mr. Kasten of  Berwick Public TV to potentially have a school board candidates night for the district. 

Public Input: 

Ms. Holly Dupuis, Berwick, asked about the positions that were going to be cut and made public. The Superintendent noted that those positions would be made public as the board will need to vote on them at a future meeting, after all impacted staff are notified. 

Mr. Shawn Works, North Berwick, noted that he felt that the reconfiguration actually might be positive in several areas: 5 and 6 together  and the 7th and 8th grade together improving cohesiveness and camaraderie.

Ms. Sheila Nelson, thanked the board for the hard work that the board does. She wanted to advocate for the adult education enrichment program. She gave an overview of the popular programs and wants the board to consider the impact of the move on the program. 

Adjournment: 

Ms. Janousek  made a motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to adjourn the meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Adjourned at 9:47 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Audra Beauvais