MInutes of May 16, 2024

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF May 16, 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 May 16, 2024 at 7:52 pm with all members attending in person except Mr. Doiron.  There were approx. 45 in the audience.

Amendment: Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to remove item 11 from the agenda as it is being addressed in item 9. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Public Input 

Vice Chair Ms. Nancy Neubert of Lebanon read the public input statement.

Minutes:

Ms.Wheeler  made the motion and it was seconded by  Ms. Janousek  to approve the minutes of May 2, 2024 meeting as amended.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve the minutes of May 9, 2024 meeting as amended.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Celebrations

NMS STEM Club and the Sea Perch Competition: Don Peet, technology instructor at Noble MS and 20 students gave an overview of their involvement in the Sea Perch Competition.  Students were very successful and earned top marks.  Each of the students shared their experiences and what they gleaned from the competition. 

Atlantic Salmon Habitat Restoration Partnership Grants: Ms.Camilla Shaw of the Knowlton School shared the Atlantic Salmon project that took place at the Knowlton School this spring.  Our fifth graders were able to take part in a scientific project geared at raising Atlantic Salmon from eggs to full hatchlings. The project was supported by a grant written by Ms. Shaw and brought to the school. There was a great video that gave an overview of the process and was done completely by our 5th grade students.

STEAM and the Glowforge Laser Cutters Grant with Sharon Beckwith. Ms Beckwith, a technology integrator here in MSAD 60 shared with the board  the program with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the STEAM program that has allowed the engineers at PSNY to have way more fun than the kids do! There is a strong relationship between MSAD 60.  Lego league materials have been provided through a grant through PNSY… engineering design teams from PSNY have provided information regarding bringing biomes and laser technology into our schools and to our students.  Ms. Beckwith also gave an overview of the Teach with Tech grant that provided MSAD 60 access to laser printers. Students were excited about learning that ideas can come to reality!

Financial Summary

Ms. Van Campen, business manager, shared with the board the updated financial statements for the past three months. The revenue is on track as it is coming in. 

Title 20-A Section 1485(4) Authorization to Transfer Funds

Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler  to approve authorization for the transfer of funds. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Pursuant to section 1485(4) of Title 20-A, the Superintendent of Schools be authorized to transfer not more than 5% of the total appropriation for any cost center in the current fiscal year operating budget to another cost center or among other cost centers, provided that the total current fiscal year operating budget shall not be increased by such transfers. 

Donation: Charles S. Hatch Post #79 American Legion Berwick, $500 to the Backpack Program

Mr. Tabor  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to accept the donation Charles S. Hatch Post #79 American Legion Berwick, $500 to the Backpack Program with appreciation and thanks. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Reduction in Force Discussion 

Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Travers to eliminate the positions impacted by budget reductions (Reduction In Force). 

Employment:

Resignations:

Sarah Loranger, Health Teacher at Noble High School. Ms. Whalen  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to approve the resignation of Ms. Loranger. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Maria Cannon, Instructional Coach at Noble High School. Ms. Wheeler  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to approve the resignation of Ms. Cannon. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Karin Heim, Social Worker at Noble Middle School. Ms. Whalen  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to approve the resignation of Ms. Heim. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

Jaime Halbmaier-Stuart, Grade 4 Teacher Lebanon Elementary School.  Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen  to approve the resignation of Ms. Halbmaier- Stuart. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

Heather Laviolette, Excel Teacher Lebanon Schools. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to approve the resignation of Ms. Laviolette. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Natalie Batchelder, Grade 1 Teacher Vivian E Hussey School. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to approve the resignation of Ms. Batchelder. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Kristin Johnson-Gouin, Administrative Assistant North Berwick Elementary School. No motion needed. 

Retirement:

Ms. Lisa Rose, Custodian at Vivian E Hussey School. Ms. Rose has been employed with MSAD 60 for 20 years. Thank you Ms. Rose for your years of dedication. No motion is needed. 

Ms. Marty Roberts, Educational Technician at Noble Middle School. Ms. Roberts has been employed with MSAD 60 for 6 years.  No motion is needed. 

Ms. Deborah Butler, Special Education Teacher Noble High School. Ms. Butler, has been an educator with MSAD 60 for 43 years.  Ms. Wheeler  made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Tabor to approve the retirement of Deb Butler with great appreciation and regrets. All members voted in favor and the motion passed

Public Input:  

Mr. Jon Hall of North Berwick, asked about the retirement positions that were announced this evening and whether or not they were being filled. 

Adjournment: 

Ms. Wheeler  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 8:42 pm. 

Respectfully submitted,

Audra Beauvais