MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF June 13, 2024
Current Board Members-
North Berwick- Lauren Janousek, Kate Whalen, Joshua Tabor
Berwick- Travis Doiron, Elva Lovejoy, Peg Wheeler
Lebanon- Victoria Travers, Jeridene Basko, Nancy Neubert
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person in North Berwick, Maine on June 13, 2024 at 6:00 pm with all members attending in person except Mr. Doiron and Ms. Travers.
There were approximately 21 in the audience.
Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek 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 6:03 pm. Out at 6:55 pm.
Ms. Travers entered the meeting at 6:06 pm
Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to add an executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA §405(6)(A) Evaluation of Employees. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Vice Chair Ms. Nancy Neubert of Lebanon read the public input statement.
Public Input:
Cole Janousek, of North Berwick, shared a heartfelt message to the community regarding information that he had heard about from social media. He shared that he had been overhearing negative conversations about our schools and he felt it was important to share his beliefs. He wants to ask people to think about what they’re hearing and saying and urged them to go into the schools and see what’s really happening.
Holly Dupuis of Berwick shared her congratulations regarding the budget passing. She asked that the board honor the requests that were expressed.
Minutes:
Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to approve the minutes of the May 16, 2024 meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Basko made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Travers to approve the minutes of June 6, 2024 meeting as amended. All members voted in favor except Ms. Lovejoy who abstained and the motion passed.
Budget Ratification
The Superintendent then shared the ratification of the vote for the referendum. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to submit the Computation and Declaration of Votes.
Yay Nay
Town of Berwick 558 280
Town of Lebanon 548 438
Town of North Berwick 384 313
Total of the Vote: 1,490 1,031
Signing of Warrants for FY’25 Town Assessments
Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler that the Warrant for Assessment of Tax and the Assessment Schedule and Notice of Installments for each member municipality prepared by the Treasurer for fiscal year 2025. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
SRRF Ratification:
The Superintendent then shared the ratification of the vote for the issuance of bonds or notes of the District for minor capital project purposes. Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to submit the Computation and Declaration of Votes.
Yay Nay
Town of Berwick. 615 228
Town of Lebanon 614 371
Town of North Berwick 443 250
Total of the Vote: 1,672 849
Budget Update
The Superintendent shared with the board the need for the board to give administration direction regarding
The board then discussed the funding that was returned to the budget and what best to do with those funds. More discussion will follow at future meetings to best determine next steps. June 20 will have the funding discussion on the agenda as well.
Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve posting of the world language position that was restored in the budget. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Financial Summary
Ms. Denise Van Campen, business manager for the district shared the financial report for May 2024.
Employment:
Christa Bui- Excel Director. Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to approve the appointment of Ms. Bui as Excel Director. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
New Hire:
Resignations:
Molly Jacobson, Speech and Language Pathologist at North Berwick Elementary School.
Ms. Janoussek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to approve the resignation of Ms. Jacobson with regrets. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Tamara Dubis, Spanish Teacher at Noble High School. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve the resignation of Ms. Dubis with regrets. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Jesse Young- Physical Education Teacher at Vivian E Hussey School. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve the resignation of Mr. Young. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Phil Swasey- Physical Education Teacher at Noble Middle School. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Tabor to approve the retirement of Mr. Swasey. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Superintendent Update:
The Superintendent shared with the board an update on Graduation. It was a momentous day with some rain, lack of electricity, faculty/staff and parents singing pomp and circumstance as the seniors marched in! A graduation that no one will forget!
The kindergarten teachers met today for five hours to begin their programming for the school year ahead. They left invigorated for the direction of next year.
June 20th 7 pm. Board meeting
July 11 5-7 pm Board meeting at 7 pm.
August 15th Board meeting at 7 pm.
Ms. Neubert asked a clarifying question about nursing coverage during the summer school sessions. There is coverage. Typically one nurse covers all of the programming with much of the special needs students with medical fragility located at the high school.
Public Input:
Mr. Shawn Works of NB asked clarifying questions around the July 11th meeting which has a board workshop as well as a regular board meeting. It is open to the public with no public input.
Mr. 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 8:16 pm. Out at 9:28 pm.
Adjournment:
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Tabor to adjourn the meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Adjourned at 9:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Audra Beauvais