MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF March 7, 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 March 7, 2024 at 7 p.m. with all members attending in person except
There were 52 in the audience.
Vice Chair Ms. Nancy Neubert of Lebanon read the public input statement.
Public Input: None at this time
Winter Athletics Update:
Mr. Alex McCormack-Kuhman, assistant athletic director, shared a brief overview of the excellent sports achievements over the winter season.
Mr. Kevin Gray gave an overview and shared that there were 40 athletes in the Noble Wrestling Program and they had a remarkable season: They are Class A South Regional Champs, Runner up in the State of Maine, Team Dual State Champions and Inaugural Maine State Female Wrestling Championships and also NE Female Wrestling Championship. He read a letter from Kaylie Boucher who coached the female team this year that highlighted the growth of the sport in Maine and the country and here at Noble. She shared the immense pleasure coaching this team has brought and encouraged the board to consider providing a paid head coaching position for our female wrestlers. Mr. Gray followed up by reiterating that it was time for the female athletes to have their own coach and encouraged the board to consider that position as part of the upcoming budget. He ended with his appreciation of the school, administration, board and community support of the program and noted that it was a pleasure to serve these athletes in his coaching capacity this year.
Mr. Keenan Blindow, Head Football Coach and representative of the High School Boys Basketball Program and coach John Morgan (who wasn’t able to attend this evening) shared the positive growth that the Boys Basketball program has made. In Coach Morgan’s 3 year progression, from winning 0 games in his first season, to 7 in his second and now they are 16 this season. The team went 16/5 and are runners up in the Class A south Conference. We had 4 athletes make all conference this year. The future is very bright for Noble Basketball.
Esports Coach Ryan Hoogterp shared the success of the team this year. The Esports team has Back to back State Championship. Started in 2020 as a way to get student back into school in the Covid times. We had a single team with 7 players. Fast Forward 4 years and we have one 4 state championships, 3 state runners up, and 2 national bids. We have players getting multiple scholarship offers and currently have 18 rostered players on five different teams. Ryan thanked the board and the community for allowing this sport to evolve so successfully.
Jaelyn Belanger and Taniessa Sainteloi spoke on behalf of the Noble Competition Cheerleaders with Coach Shannon Davis by their side. They noted that after a South Regional Title and then they took second place at the state level making Noble History. Thanks to Coach Davis for the support throughout the year.
Coach Sarah Stowall of the Noble Indoor Track and field team shared the tremendous amount of success on the track this weekend. She noted Adria O’Tash 55 hurdles. SMR relay (which is 200m, 200m, 800m, mile) set a SMAA record: Trevor beams and Gio Baker, Calvin Leon and Maddox Jordan. Natalia Rothwell podiumed at the high jump and went on to NE. Maddox Jordan, who is our Gatorade player of the year for cross country, won 3 state titles- Mile, 800 m and 2 mile all within one meet. An incredible performance. NE’s are this weekend and Maddox Jordan will be running and Ryan Moran will be competing in race walking at the meet in Boston. The SMR team will also be competing at noon. We are very proud of this team and excited for this weekend and to what is to come in outdoor track.
Alex McCormack-Kuhman shared his thank you to the board and the community for their support.
Employment:
Retirement:
Ms. Jane Gamage, English Teacher at Noble High School. Ms. Gamage has been a teacher for 41 years. Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to approve the retirement of Jane Gamage with appreciation and regrets. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Public Input
Mr. Cahoon asked a follow up about the Sanford Regional Technical Center and what students from Noble were part of building the home that was placed up for sale.
Mr. Mark Rouillard shared his concerns about what schools are teaching regarding DEI, CRT etc. He expressed his concerns about what is being considered in the legislature in terms of health care and what can be down without parental consent. He expressed his concerns regarding the changing world.
Adjournment:
Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to adjourn the meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Adjourned at 7:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Audra Beauvais
Moved into the budget workshop