MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF October 17, 2024
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. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Tabor to go into executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(E) Consultations Between School Unit and its Attorney. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 6:00 pm. Out at 6:42 pm.
Ms. Lovejoy made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to go into executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(A) Duties of Officials/ Employees. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 6:43 pm. Out at 7:43 pm.
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person on October 17, 2024 at 7:50 pm with all members attending.
Pledge of Allegiance
There were 16 in the audience.
Ms. Whalen read the public input statement.
Public Input:
None at this time.
Minutes:
Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to accept the minutes of September 5, 2024 meeting. All members voted in favor except Ms. Basko who abstained and the motion passed.
Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to accept the minutes of September 19, 2024 meeting. All members voted in favor except Ms. Herlihy who abstained and the motion passed.
Ms Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Tabor to accept the minutes of October 3, 2024 meeting as amended. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Financial Summary September 2024:
Ms. Denise Van Campen, Business Manager, shared with the board the financial summary for the General Fund as of September 30, 2024. Board members asked some clarifying questions and Ms. Van Campen responded.
Dr. Shannon Swiger- Data Overview:
Board 10_17_24.pdf Dr. Swiger gave an overview of the scores regarding the state testing that is mandated and has occurred over the past 6 years. She identified what areas we have focused on for professional development and increased student support. The board asked clarifying questions regarding testing and asked for information regarding the annual testing we do for our 3rd and 5th graders for identification for our Excel program.
MSAD 60 Emergency Management Plans:
School safety plans have been submitted to the central office and the superintendent shared this with the board. The plans are kept specifically isolated to those that “need to know” as this is best practice in the safety field. The superintendent is obligated to inform the board that the safety plans have been updated annually and that they have been approved and signed off on by the emergency personnel in the towns (Fire Department and Police Departments). All plans from all the schools have met these requirements.
Employment:
None at this time.
Superintendent Update:
Update regarding the Teacher Professional Development Day that occurred on October 10th. Cross district professional development occurred and was well received. All feedback was very positive and more cross district PD will be highlighted in the future.
Parent conferences coming up in November:
K-5 Conferences November 13th
At NHS, In person conferences will be held on Wednesday, November 6th & 13th
At NMS, In person conferences will be held on Thursday, November 14th & Tuesday Nov. 19th.
Blood Drive for the Red Cross today with 20 pints of blood collected at Noble High School.
The Fall musical is “The Little Mermaid” and it will run from Nov. 7th through the 10th. Get your tickets!
November 14th… York County School Boards are getting together… joint meeting at Sanford High School to meet with newly elected and returning legislators to discuss educational needs. The first part of the meeting will highlight the rising situation with Homelessness in our communities. Please let us know if you would like to attend by the Nov. 7th board meeting.
Other:
Ms. Basko noted that she came to Noble High School for Open House and shared that she had some great conversations with the teachers there and she understood why students like their teachers. She wanted to share that with the board. She also shared that she also was at the Lebanon schools and noted excellent teachers there as well.
Ms. Basko also asked a follow up question from the google surveys that went out in the fall. It was clarified that the surveys are individually kept by teachers and not shared out. Also, it was clarified that teachers have been asked to be sure that the questions are not mandatory but optional. There is a toggle switch on the program that staff uses for developing surveys that needs to be toggled “off” to ensure that questions are optional. This was reiterated with all staff.
Public Input:
Mr. Shawn Works asked if it was possible to ask the Boosters if there were folks who support those programs that might want to drive bus for those specific sports.
Adjournment:
Ms. Janoussek made a motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to adjourn the meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Adjourned at 8:45pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Audra Beauvais