MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF August 5, 2021
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held virtually and in person in North Berwick, Maine on August 5, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. with all members present except Ms. Travers. The student representative was absent.
Public Input for August 5, 2021.
In Person Public Input:
Drew Sampson of Berwick shared his thanks for the work that the district has done for his children. He shared his thoughts on the past regulations regarding Covid-19 and asked the board to reject mandatory masking due to mental health issues etc. He asked that the parents be allowed to make the decisions rather than have a mandate from the district.
Brad Kelley, Berwick, shared his main concern of mask mandating. He feels that masks are not necessarily beneficial and that parents should have a right to choose whether or not their children must wear a mask.
Student report: None at this time.
Amy Creighton, District Director of Nursing discussed with the board updates from the US CDC. There are requirements to mask on public transportation. Currently it is recommended that all staff and students in K-13 schools mask going into the school year. Dr. Shah also encouraged universal masking in schools. In the beginning of September, Maine DHHS will be collecting staff vaccination rates. The Pool testing program was discussed and we will be putting out a survey to families to ask if they’d like to participate in the program. There is a strong recommendation for masking for unvaccinated individuals.
Employment:
Ms. Lovejoy made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Hagenbuch to approve the nomination of Ms. Sarah Anderson as the new assistant principal/literacy coach at North Berwick Elementary school. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Hagenbuch made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to approve the nomination of Mr. Aaron Moore as the new athletic director for MSAD 60. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
August 19th Construction Presentation is at 6 pm. There will be a postcard going out to all residents in the district prior to the meeting. There will also be follow up meetings in September within each of the schools to promote the construction projects.
The Assistant Superintendent shared info about the Well Connected Grant, a $250,000 grant that was written by Ms. Erin Dickson, our school health coordinator along with her colleague Ms. Miranda Wakefield. The funding will go to support those in remote instruction to ensure health and social emotional learning.
Other: None
Ms. Hagenbuch made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to adjourn the meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. Adjourned at 8:11 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Audra Beauvais