MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF July 11, 2024
Current Board Members-
North Berwick- Lauren Janousek, Joshua Tabor, Kate Whalen, Berwick- Alison Herlihy, Elva Lovejoy, Peg Wheeler
Lebanon- Jeridene Basko, Nancy Neubert, Nancy Sewell
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Tabor to go into executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA §405(6)(A) Evaluation of Employees. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 4:30 pm. Out at 5:14pm.
Board Workshop- Connor Schratz Drummond & Woodsum
A workshop for the board occurred at 5:15 pm. Connor Schratz, attorney for Drummond and Woodsum and MSAD 60’s legal representation, presented on board roles and responsibilities.
Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to add an agenda item after the minutes of June 20, 2024. All members voted in favor of and the motion passed.
It was also noted that the executive session didn’t occur and was removed from the agenda.
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person in North Berwick, Maine on July 11, 2024 at 7:00 pm with all members attending in person except Ms. Neubert.
There were approximately 9 in the audience.
Ms. Lauren Janousek of North Berwick read the public input statement.
Public Input:
Swearing In and Oath of New Members
The superintendent held the swearing in of the two new board members, Ms. Alison Herlihy of Berwick and Nancy Sewell of Lebanon. Welcome to our new board members.
Seating of Board Chair and Oath of Office; Seating of Vice Chair
Mr. Tabor asked for some history regarding the nomination of the board chair and vice chair based on the rotation through the three towns. The Assistant Superintendent shared the history of the district regarding the board rotations etc.
Ms. Wheeler nominated Nancy Neubert as Chair of the Board for the 2024/2025 school year. Ms. Whalen seconded the nomination. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Mr. Tabor nominated Ms. Kate Whalen as Vice Chair of the Board for the 2024/2025 school year. Ms. Wheeler seconded the nomination. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Minutes:
Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to table the minutes of the June 20, 2024 meeting until the next meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Basko and Mr. Tabor discussed the consolidation of the specialists and the reinstatement of those enrichment classes in the schools. The board had a lengthy discussion going over the programming again and how to best serve the students of the district. It was brought forward that the addition of the funds doesn’t need to happen this year and could be put on hold until the following year. The board continued the conversation trying to determine the best next steps. Several board members felt that it was important to honor the intentions of the public who approved the restoring of the funds to the budget at the district budget hearing. Ultimately, the board determined to honor the return of the specialists to the current staffing levels with enrichment programming to be worked out between the building administration and the specialists.
Lebanon Elementary Leach Field Discussion
The Superintendent shared an update regarding the leach field. We wanted to let the board know that we are working with Civil Consultants to develop a ten year plan for replacing the leach field rather than the pumping of the tanks every week. More to follow in the future.
Employment:
New Hires:
Emmanuelle Holmes first grade teacher at Hanson Elementary School. Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to approve the appointment of Ms. Holmes. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Samantha LeFebvre Special Education Teacher at Eric Knowlton Elementary School. Ms. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to approve the appointment of Ms. LeFebvre. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Sarah Balestro fourth grade teacher at North Berwick Elementary. Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to approve the appointment of Ms. Balestro. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Claire Behning Multiple Pathways Science Teacher at Noble High School. Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to approve the appointment of Ms. Behning. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Danielle Duckworth Special Education Social Worker at Noble High School. Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to approve the appointment of Ms. Duckworth. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Evan Treece Physical Education Teacher at Vivian E Hussey School. Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to approve the appointment of Ms. Treece. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Jacob Mills Physical Education Teacher at Noble Middle School. Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to approve the appointment of Mr. Mills. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Resignation
Shelly Lajoie, Guidance Counselor at Noble High School. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to approve the resignation of Ms. Lajoie. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Jason Demorato leave of absence. Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to approve the leave of absence of Mr. Demoroto. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Dana Landry Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to approve the resignation of Ms. Landry. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Superintendent Update
The Superintendent updated the board on Summer Programming etc. It was a great first two weeks of summer school. The students are participating well and
The interim audit has been completed this week. Internal controls and processes are the primary focus during this time frame.
This morning we held a leadership panel with administrators sharing information regarding what it takes to be a leader in our district. There were 20 plus people in the audience and it was also recorded for folks who weren’t able to attend in person. We will probably run this in
Public Input:
Mr. Shawn Works, of North Berwick, asked for more transparency in dates and agendas of meetings being placed on the website.
Dr. Joe Forte, of North Berwick expressed his consternation regarding the last minute conversation regarding the consolidation of the specialists. He asked that in the future it be on the agenda and not put on at the last minute.
Executive Session 1 MRSA §405(6)(A) Employment of Employee
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to go into executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA §405(6)(A) Employment of Employee. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 8:34 pm. Out at 8:50pm.
Adjournment:
Ms. Lovejoy made the motion and it was seconded by Ms.Wheeler to adjourn the meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Adjourned at 8:51pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Audra Beauvais