MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING April 16, 2020
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held virtually on April 16, 2020 at 7:00 pm, with all members present Except Ms. Beal, Ms. Mallett and Ms. Manley. There were 20 people in the audience.
Mr. Doiron, Berwick Board Member shared the explanatory statements regarding public input.
Public Input: None at this time
Ms. Beal entered the meeting at 7:09 pm.
The minutes of April 9 were tabled until the May meeting.
The students, Sam Grant and Caitlin McCabe discussed varying opinions on the remote learning. They shared equally that motivation seems to be the most difficult piece regarding remote learning.
There seems to be more students that are resigned to the fact that things are just the way they are and had to accept and try and get it done. There are those students who really are struggling without the typical classroom instruction. The Superintendent shared with the board, students and public the work that we’ve been doing to try and support those who are struggling.
The Superintendent then shared with the board the updated budget timeline. June 23rd is the new proposed date for the public budget meeting. July 14th looks like the potential date for the referendum vote.
The Board then discussed briefly with the board the interview process
Ms Beauvais shared her appreciation with the board and with the current administrative team
Ms. Alison Kearney, assistant principal at Noble High School and Mr. Joe Findlay, principal of Noble High School, shared with the board a proposal for graduation requirements for just the seniors of the class of 2020.
Ms. Beal made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Hopper to default back to the state graduation standards for this senior class only due to the unprecedented situation that we are facing. All members present voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Kearney then shared with the board the rationale for the NHS remote learning practices for this very difficult time frame.
Mr. Doiron made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Beal to accept the pass/incomplete proposal for this second semester of the school year due to the pandemic. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The Superintendent shared with the board that Ms. Rebecca Good, physical education teacher at NMS, has determined that she’d rather not retire at this time and has presented a letter rescinding the retirement letter. Ms. Beal made the motion and Mr. Doiroin seconded the acceptance of the rescindment of the retirement letter. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The superintendent then shared the letter of retirement from Ms. Nancy Wall, special education teacher at NBES. Mr. Doiron made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Beal to accept the retirement of Ms. Nancy Wall. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The Superintendent shared a letter of resignation from Ms. Jayme Jones, assistant principal at NHS. Ms. Beal made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to accept the letter of resignation. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The Assistant Superintendent shared that Ms. Christine Thyng reached out to let us know that she would not be returning from her leave of absence. Mr. Doiron made the motion and Ms. Neubert seconded to accept the letter of resignation of Ms. Christine Thyng with regret. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Second Public Input: Ms. Shannon Rogers, Berwick Resident, asked about credit recovery for students who are still in need. Ms.Kearney shared
Ms. Laura Costella, Berwick resident asked about spring sports and coaches being paid. She wanted to be sure that coaches are paid as they are working with students even though they are not able to have a spring season. The superintendent shared that the varsity spring coaches will receive 50% of their stipends, but the JV, and Middle School coaches will not be receiving their stipend as
Mr. Doiron made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to go into executive session for Employment of Employee, Section 4056 A. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 8:45 Out at 9:07
Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Doiron to go into executive session for contract negotiations 4056B. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 9:09 pm.
Ms. Beal made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Potter to adjourn. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Adjourned at 6:07 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Steve Connolly
Secretary of the Board