Minutes of October 7, 2021

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF October 7, 2021

A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person in North Berwick, Maine on September 2, 2021 at 6:15 p.m. with all members present except Ms. Lovejoy and Ms. Travers. The student representative was absent.

Mr. Doiron made the motion and it was seconded to go into Executive Session Pursuant to 1M.R.S.A. §405(6) Student…. . All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 6:17 pm. Out at 6:45 pm.

Mr. Doiron made the motion and it was seconded to go into Executive Session Pursuant to 1M.R.S.A. §405(6) policy review…. . All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 6:46 pm. Out at 7:02 pm.

Ms. Lovejoy joined the meeting remotely at 7:03 pm

Public Input:

Ms. Jamie Webber, a resident of North Berwick, shared her support of the board and thanked the board for doing the difficult work related to dealing with Covid-19. She thanked the board for their hard work and decision making under very trying circumstances. Thank you.

Elizabeth Chasse, of Berwick, shared her thanks for the hard work that the board is doing during this time. She shared her concerns regarding the unkindness and disrespect particularly showed at past board meetings as well as at the

The board reviewed the minutes from September 16, 2021.

Mr. Doiron made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Hagenbuch to approve the minutes of September 16, 2021 as amended. All members voted in favor except Ms. Lovejoy who abstained, and the motion passed.

The Superintendent shared with the board the delegation of assembly requests for Maine School Board Association and the October 23 conference. Ms. Mallett shared her support of attending the conference and noted how much she has been able to learn over the years that she attended. Ms. Whalen noted her interest. Mr. Doiron made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Hagenbuch to nominate Ms. Whalen as MSAD 60’s delegate for the school board assembly. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

The Assistant Superintendent gave a quick overview of the American Recovery Plan funds that were allotted to MSAD 60. The completed application was submitted on September 29th. The board will review and ask any questions at the next meeting.

Ms. Denise Van Campen, business manager, shared with the board the 2021/2022 Budget Timeline. The board asked specific questions about the biennial budget and whether or not the 55% will still be in place for the coming year. At this point, it seems that it will stay in place. The board then discussed the members of the finance and facilities committee and determining if we are up to date on members. Members discussed options. Currently members will discuss their availability and determine memberships.

Ms. Van Campen updated the board on Changes to the Participating Local District (PLD) Consolidated Plan. The board had a lengthy discussion regarding the PLD changes and whether or not to opt in. It is an option, not a mandate. Members asked questions of Ms. Van Campen as well as each other. The board determined at this time that they would not like to offer this new option.

Educational Summary:

Ms. Amy Creighton, Director of School Nursing, shared with the board an overview of recent COVID information here in the district and throughout the state. Conversations surrounding pooled testing occurred as has happened in the past.

Examples: Case at the high school: 35 close contacts, 26 of those close contacts were masked… 10 were already vaccinated… 9 were bus exposures and needed to be quarantined. Case at the elementary level: 9 close contacts, 4 at lunch, 5 were masked in a classroom.

The board discussed the pool testing program more thoroughly to determine if they should consider it further. Ms. Mallett shared her belief that it would be beneficial for the district but Ms. Hagenbuch shared that she felt that it wasn’t cost effective for the number of parents who have expressed interest at this point. The board then held a discussion among themselves as to the best next steps in this program.

Attendance: Staff Attendance: Low of 88% and high of 94%

Low of 90% and high of 94%

Employment:

Nomination of William Barry as a special education case manager at NMS. Mr. Doiron made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Hagenbuch to approve the nomination of Mr. Barry. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Resignation of Ms. Elizabeth Mulcahey, intervention behavioralist at NBES for personal reasons. Ms. Hagenbuch made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to accept the resignation of Ms. Mulcahey. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Other Business:

Ms. Mallett shared with the board a potential option for solar

Ms. Hopper shared that on Tuesday, the North Berwick Board of Selectman has decided to oppose the bond issue for the district. They would have been in favor of just the Lebanon portion rather than all three town supports in order to access potential state funding. Ms. Van Campen clarified that there is currently not even a list for an application for funding at this point. Mr. Scott Brown, of the state department, shared that there are many other districts with schools that are in need of repair.

Ms. Hagenbuch asked about masking breaks within the district. The Superintendent shared that the breaks are occurring regularly and outside. The weather has been really conducive to mask breaks.

The Superintendent gave an update regarding transportation: We have a new driver about to get licensed. Staffing continues to be difficult but things are settling. Actively searching for drivers as we move forward.

Update on Fall Athletics at Noble 10/7:

Noble Football is having one of their best seasons ever! The team is currently 4-1 and is ranked 18th in the state of Maine. Football is hosting South Portland tomorrow night at Noble High School. Tomorrow night's game is also their Senior Night.

Fall Cheer is also doing their Senior Night as well!

Field Hockey has played incredibly well so far this season! The team just went into overtime last night with the #2 ranked team in class A. Field Hockey will be entering into the open tournament at the end of the season.

Boys and Girls Cross Country is going well! They are at Marshwood today.

Golf state championships are this Saturday. Michael Billing and Cheyenne Couture qualified individually for the Boys and Girls State Championships.

Girls and Boys soccer will also be entering into the open tournament at the end of the season. Both teams are sitting in the middle of the pack in the standings and are playing well.

The Noble/Sanford Co-Op Volleyball team is hosting Biddeford tonight. The team is doing extremely well and tonight is also their Senior Night.

Homecoming week was a massive success for Noble Athletics. Every single Varsity team won their homecoming game!

The Athletic Department is looking forward to all of the post season play coming up!

The board had a discussion about whether or not we continue live streaming vs. recording.

Ms. Hagenbuch made a motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to adjourn the meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. Out at 9:33 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Audra Beauvais