MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING December 19, 2019
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held at Noble High School in North Berwick, Maine on December 19, 2019 at 6:00 pm, with all members present except Ms. Potter, Ms. Corliss and Mr. Doiron. There were 5 in the audience.
Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Beal to enter into executive session pursuant to 1MRSA§406(D), Contract Negotiations. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 6:05 pm. Out at 6:58 pm.
Ms. Mallett, Vice Chair shared the explanatory statements regarding public input.
Public Input: None at this time.
Ms. Beal made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to accept the minutes of December 5th as amended. All members voted in favor except Ms. Mallet who abstained and the motion passed.
The student report was presented by Caitlyn McCabe:
Sam Grant was absent*The blood drive was a success - with around 28 units collected; which can save 84 lives potentially Both junior and senior teams participated in the Giving Tree, which means some families in the community were able to receive an extra hand this year to check some items off their list. Both teams were able to wrap up those gifts and send them off this weekMany community projects are in full swing - collecting food at home games and hat & mitten drives The Wellness Club has started at NHS which focuses on overall health and happiness
Financial Summary November The Assistant Superintendent shared an overview.
Building Committee Update - The Assistant Superintendent gave a general overview with Ms. Neubert’s input.
Selection Process for new Superintendent was then discussed. A hiring committee was discussed. Ms. Neubert requested that a diverse representation of thought and opinion be brought into the hiring committee. Ms. Schaeffer, board chair, explained the thought process of utilizing pieces of Maine School Management as well as developing our own independent process. She shared her thoughts that three board members along with several other representatives from the district and community would be a typical first round committee. Other opportunities to meet with stakeholders will be developed as well. The board of directors would be the final hiring committee.
Ms. Beal made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to nominate Ms.Schaeffer, North Berwick, Ms. Mallett, Berwick and Ms. Potter, Lebanon as the members of the core hiring committee. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The board then discussed the pros/cons of Working with MSMA. The board chair suggested that we can potentially contract with MSMA for up to $2500 to support our independent process. We will review a timeline at a future meeting in January, and the Assistant Superintendent will pull together a consolidated timeline for the budget and the superintendent search committee.
Policy Second Reading --- Tabled Ms. Beal made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Mallett to table the second reading of the following policies to a future meeting in January after the policy committee could meet again.
ADC(r)-Use and Possession of Tobacco Products and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
ADC-R(r)- Use and Possession of Tobacco Products and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Procedure
JJE (nr)- Student Fundraising Activities
JJE-E (nr)- Fundraising Approval Form
JICK (r)- Bullying
All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The Assistant Superintendent shared the names of Ms. Mary Fitzgerald and Ms. Nicole Winship to fulfill the role of the Assistant Special Education Director for the remainder of the year. They will take on pieces of the position and weave them into the roles that they currently hold. Ms. Beal made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Hopper to accept the nomination of Ms. Nicole Winship and Ms. Mary Fitzgerald. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The Assistant Superintendent updated the board on two resignations from educational technicians Nicole Bryant and Meredith Towne.
The Assistant Superintendent then shared a letter of retirement from Ms. Brenda Gagne, Adult Education Director. Ms. Gagne’s letter was eloquent and heartfelt. The board was grateful for her tenure with the district and wanted to acknowledge the legacy that she will be leaving. Ms. Beal made the motion and it was seconded by Ms.Hopper to accept the retirement letter of Brenda Gagne with thanks. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The Assistant Superintendent shared that a generous donation of $1000 was made by Mr. Jason Randazzo to the NMS band program. Ms. Beal excitedly made the motion and Ms. Neubert seconded the motion to accept $1000 donation to the Noble Middle School band program. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Hopper noted that Christine Dudley expressed an interest in becoming a race liaison for the administration for the district. Ms. Hopper discussed some of the ways this could be utilized but felt that it would benefit the board to have a full conversation. There isn’t a lot of information about it in the state of Maine but we would look for more information. The assistant superintendent will reach out to her to follow up. The superintendent and Principal Beauvais have been attempting for the past six weeks to contact the Maine NAACP Chapter but have not heard back from anyone. The superintendent also attempted to contact Portland Representative Rachel Talbot Ross, former President of the Maine Chapter, but he has not had any communication from that office.
Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Beal to adjourn. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Adjourned at 7:44 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Austin
Secretary of the Board