Minutes of August 19, 2021

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF August 19, 2021

A meeting of the Board of Directors was held virtually and in person in North Berwick, Maine on August 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. with all members present except Ms. Mallett. Ms. Manley and Mr. Doiron were remote and therefore could not vote at this meeting. The student representative was absent.

Public Input for August 19, 2021:

Public Input: Online Public Input

Kate Bennington of Berwick, encourages us to let parents make the choice about whether or not to mask. Shared statistics related to covid situations for children and encouraged the board to allow

Jarris Pinet, Berwick, This is America and we should have the right to choose.

Brian, North Berwick, Being here makes a difference...shared statistics regarding the Covid 19 pandemic.

Drew, nice to see everyone here and what’s best for kids. Here to stand up for what is right for the students and for medical freedom. Also against the weekly pool testing for students.

Frank Engel, North Berwick shared a very similar conversation. Discussed the belief that we should have the option to choose whether or not to mask.

Jessica of Lebanon is not in favor of pool testing and would like to have the option for students to mask, not mandated.

Jason York, Berwick, in agreement with all that was stated ahead… He also shared statistics regarding mental health concerns due to the pandemic.

Flint Hutchinson, North Berwick, discussed the past year and the cohorting that occurred due to the pandemic. Mr. Hutchinson shared his concerns regarding the difficulty

Getting worse and more dangerous and people aren’t taking precautions. Sharing the concerns regarding the variants that are coming through. He’s very concerned about the anxiety and the increased dangers of the variants.

Insert other information here:

Ms Hopper made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to mandate that all K-7 students be masked… all voted in favor except Ms. Neubert and Ms. Travers. Motion passed.

Ms. Hagenbuch made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy that grades 8-12 are optional for masking. All voted in favor except Ms. Hopper and Ms. Whalen. Motion passed.

Public Transportation (School buses) masking is mandated for all.

Pool testing… We will revisit in the future after more surveying will be done regarding pooled testing.

Policy review: Policy BED was reviewed. This is a policy regarding remote board meetings. This was considered a first reading.

Ms. Travers made the motion and it was seconded Ms. Lovejoy to Assessment motion:

1. Approval and Signing of Referendum Warrants

2. Signing of Revised Assessment Warrants for FY22

Other:

Stephanie Hagenbuch shared with the public that she understood how much of a struggle that this past year has been and that she felt the board had come to a fair compromise for this moment in time.

Ms. Hagenbuch made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Travers to adjourn the meeting at 10:02 pm. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Respectfully Submitted,

Audra Beauvais