Minutes of April 30, 2026
- Jennifer Flewelling
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF April 30, 2026
Current Board Members-
North Berwick- Lauren Janousek, Kate Whalen, Richard DeCato
Berwick- Alison Herlihy, Marissa Tasker, Peg Wheeler
Lebanon- Nancy Sewell, Jeridene Basko, Melissa Cyr
(For a full account of this meeting please review the video here…Link you can choose to view the transcript in progress by clicking CC for subtitles.)
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person at Noble Middle and High School on April 30, 2026 at 7:00 pm with all members attending in person except Ms. Tasker, Ms. Cyr.
There were 24 in the audience.
Pledge of Allegiance
Ms. Wheeler read the public input statement.
Public Input:
The following people spoke in public input in the first session:
Mr. Matthew Leggett of Lebanon
Mr. Flint Hutchinson of North Berwick
Ms. Basko made the motion and it was seconded by to add in the swearing in of the new North Berwick School board member, Mr Richard DeCato. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Minutes:
Ms. Basko made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to accept the minutes of April 2, 2026. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to accept the minutes of April 9, 2026 as amended. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The Superintendent then swore in North Berwick board member Richard DeCato.
SRTC Student Update
Special Recognition
David Vargas School Nutrition Director of the Year for the state of Maine!
Financial Summary March 2026
Ms. Denise Van Campen, Business Manager, shared with the board the financial summary for the General Fund as of March 31, 2026. Board members asked some clarifying questions and Ms. Van Campen responded.
ADA Update
The door accessibility at the high school and handicapped accessible water fountains have been addressed.
Second Policies
Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to table the second policy readings until the May 21st meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
JICK-E1 Bullying Reporting Form
JICK-E2 Bullying Bullying Investigation and Response Form
JICK-R Bullying Administrative Procedures
Graphic Conflict vs Bullying
Nomination of Probationary Teachers
Probationary 1 to Probationary 2: Ms. Herlihy made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve the nomination of the presented probationary 1 to probationary 2 teachers. There was one question and then all members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Probationary 2 to Continuing Contract: Ms. Herlihy made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve the nomination of the presented probationary 2 to continuing contract teachers. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Employment:
New Hire:
Lucy DeRoche- Hanson Grade 2 Teacher and has her Bachelor of Education from St Thomas College. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy to approve Ms. DeRoche. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Samantha Grace- MHA Principal (.5), recommending moving Samantha from Interim to Permanent Principal. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve Ms.Grace. All members voted in favor except Ms. Basko, Ms. Sewell and Mr. DeCato and the motion passed.
LOA 2026-27:
Sofie Larsen,World Languages Teacher at Noble Middle and High School. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Decato to approve a leave of absence for Ms. Larsen. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Resignation:
Jennifer Daraoui- Noble Intermediate School Grade 5 Teacher. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. DeCato to accept the resignation of Ms. Daraoui at the end of the 2025-26 school year. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Carly Torrance- Noble Intermediate School Grade 6 Math Teacher. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Decato to accept the resignation of Ms. Torrance at the end of the 2025-26 school year. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Audrey Kenison- Noble Middle and High School Grade 9 Writing Teacher. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Decato to accept the resignation of Ms. Kenison at the end of the 2025-26 school year. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Jennifer Lavoie- Eric Knowlton School Life Skills Teacher. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy to accept the resignation of Ms. Lavoie at the end of the 2025-26 school year. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Superintendent Update:
The annual report has been mailed out. It’s been posted on the district website as well as sent out electronically.
Met with the Lebanon Selectboard on April 14th to discuss LES as well as the district budget.
Important Dates that are upcoming to discuss the budget with community members;
May 6 NB library 1-2 pm
May 18 Berwick Library 1-2 pm
May 19 Berwick Selectmen at 6:30
June 2 North Berwick Selectmen at 6:30
Policy committee: Cell Phone Use policy and Temperatures in the school environment policy will need to be addressed.
Next Tuesday: May 5th, 2026 -policy committee will meet at 5:00 to 6:00 pm remotely.
Other:
Ms. Herlihy asked for our superintendent updates to be categorized under the goals of the district for the next school year.
Ms. Basko and Ms. Whalen discussed the superintendent and board self evaluation update.
Board members look for emails to set the executive session for the board self evaluation.
And to set the executive session for the superintendent.
Public Input:
Ms. Jessica Roy, Berwick
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy to adjourn. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. Out at 8:43 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Audra Beauvais