MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF August 30, 2022
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person in North Berwick, Maine on August 30, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. with all members attending except Mr. Doiron, Ms. Manley, and Ms. Mallett There were 0 in the audience.
Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Travers to go into executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA 405(6)(A) Duties of Officials/Appointees/Employees. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. At 6:32 pm. Out at 6:49 pm
The Public Board Meeting began at 7:00 pm with the pledge of allegiance with 3 in the audience.
The vice chair shared the public input statement.
Public Input: Mr. Robert Travers of Lebanon shared his concerns regarding mathematical proficiency statistics compared with the numbers of students that we are graduating. He asked how the district is planning on increasing the proficiency levels of mathematics. Superintendent Beauvais provided an overview of the testing, the curriculum and resources for staff.
Ms. Mallett joined the meeting at 7:04 pm.
Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Mallett to approve the minutes of July 14th as amended. All members voted in favor except Ms. Janousek, who abstained, and the motion passed.
The Superintendent read the Authorizing Resolution for Online Cash Management Services through Kennebunk Savings Bank. Ms. Lovejoy made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to approve the Authorization Resolution for Online Cash Management Services. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Jennica Osborne, French teacher at Noble High School, shared with the board the plan for the Quebec trip in March. She gave an overview and expectations and requirements. We are working with Jumpstreet, a travel program, to support the program. Ms. Osborne has been doing the trip for over 20 years and is very much looking forward to bringing Noble students back to Canada. We will be working to develop Ms. Mallett made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to approve the Quebec trip for March of 2023. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Mr. Eustachio Donnes, our district communication director, introduced himself to the board. His goal is to bring the district into a more active presence in our communication. He noted that the different generations in our community have a wide variety of ways that they may interact with the district. He is hopeful to strengthen our online presence and increase the interactions with all of our key stakeholders. Main goal is to have an increase in communications and therefore increase the positive communication output. First four steps: Visiting each school to connect with students, staff and other community members. Send out a district newsletter. Begin the online presence via social media. Make the website as accessible as possible. Planting the seeds to take next steps, surveys, data collection, etc. Streamline communication, create a timeline for healthy positive and reciprocal relationships with the community.
Policy First Reading: IHBAI: SPECIAL EDUCATION INDEPENDENT EVALUATION POLICY
The two day new teacher orientation occurred on August 24th and 25th. Topics included a district overview, including a bus tour of the three towns and all schools, technology and curricula expectations and building-based work.
The Transportation Department is short four bus drivers. Everyone in the department who has a valid CDL will be driving a bus for the foreseeable future. There are four community members working toward their CDL and once received, will be able to be assigned a bus route. While the Transportation office is staffed to field any questions that come up, the director will be driving a bus route and therefore may not be able to immediately respond to questions directed specifically to her. That said, the response will be in the most timely manner possible. In light of the driver shortage, some of the Berwick and No. Berwick bus drivers have two “shuttle” runs to help address the staff shortages.
SRTC started this week. Tuesday was the second day of SRTC. Attendance was high and there were no transportation issues to or from Sanford.
Statement of Respect During Public Input, the board discussed this and then asked the policy committee to wordsmith a potential statement to share.
Other Business:
The September meetings will be September 8 and 22.
Ms. Hagenbuch asked about a suggestion box for our community members.
She asked about students who might not have returned due to medical issues and no mandate for masking. There were no known issues that there reported.
The board discussed potentially adding a link to the school board minutes on the town websites.
Second Public Input:
Mr. Robert Travers of Lebanon had hoped that he came across respectful in his public input.
He also shared he’d be willing to contract his services for the support of increasing math scores.
Ms. Neubert 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 8:32 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Audra Beauvais