Minutes of August 13, 2026

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF August 13, 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 August 13, 2026 at 6:30 pm with all members attending in person except Ms. Cyr and Ms. Janousek who attended remotely, and Ms. Herlihy was unable to attend.

There were 8 in the audience. 

Pledge of Allegiance

Ms. Cyr read the public input statement. 

Public Input: 

No public input

Agenda Adjustment:

Ms. Basko made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to add an executive session at the end of the meeting for 1 MRSA 405§(6)(A) Personnel Matter. All members voted and the motion was passed. 

Minutes: 

Ms. Sewell recommended editing the July 16 minutes to note a minimum of three members of the board, but not necessarily one from each community. 

Ms. Whalen made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Sewell to accept the minutes of July 16, 2026 as presented.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Website Refresh Brigette Dumont and Brett Saucier 

Technology Director Ms. Brigette Dumont and Technical Assistant Brett Saucier presented the MSAD 60 website refresh. Ms. Dumont explained the “refresh” started last spring and collected feedback from students and community. Staff, community, student, and admin focus groups on usability. Ms. Dumont shared that a new website develops a unified, accessible district website with consistent navigation, improved access to board policies, mobile-friendly design, and ADA compliance.

Spring Data Update- Dr. Shannon Swiger

Dr. Shannon Swiger gave an update regarding Spring Data based on the Maine Through Year Assessment and NWEA data administered spring, 2026. 

Transportation Budget

Discuss the $300,000 that was added into the budget and requested for transportation.

The Board discussed the importance of honoring community requests while balancing budget constraints and long-term costs. Additional compensation and bonuses for bus drivers were considered, including incentives for covering extra routes and supporting recruitment and retention efforts. The cost of replacing and adding vans was also discussed, including CDL requirements, vehicle capacity, and fuel expenses, and plans to purchase additional vans were confirmed. Before moving forward with salary increases, the Board requested projected employee costs and comparisons with CDL driver compensation to help inform the decision.

Draft Board Handbook

The Board discussed how the glossary is effective, perhaps making this handbook an ongoing draft and live document. It was also suggested adding executive session to glossary with the codes for most common reasons.

Board Norms

The Board reviewed current norms and considered a less wordy, more focused version. They continued to discuss distinguishing broader ethics from meeting-specific norms. There was suggested consideration  of emphasizing respect, listening, and modeling respectful behavior. The board supported posting norms with agendas and providing clear examples and rationale.

Ms. Tasker  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to approve the change of board norms as amended. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Policy Second Reading 

BCA- Board Code of Ethics

The Board discussed the need to clarify whether board members are visiting the school in their capacity as board members or as family members. They considered ways to ensure staff are aware of a board member’s role during visits to avoid confusion, including the use of identification or lanyards and clearer policy language. It was noted that some gray areas remain and will require further review by the Policy Committee.

Public Input Statement Discussion

The Board reviewed public input statements from other schools and discussed shortening the district’s current statement. Options included using bullet points and adding the expectations to the meeting agenda. They also discussed having speakers acknowledge that they have read the expectations, while recognizing that acknowledgment does not guarantee compliance. It was agreed that a clear statement and defined parameters should remain in place, with further revisions needed to improve clarity and effectiveness.

Facilities Community Forum Discussion

Board members were asked to submit names of potential additions to Sue Austin. They are tentatively looking at September 17, 2026, as the date for the meeting, with a tentative start time of 6:00 p.m. Invitations and a community announcement will be sent out. Input from Harriman will also be part of the conversation, and all board members are encouraged to participate.

Nomination Probationary Teacher 1 to 2

Probationary 1 to Probationary 2: Ms. Basko  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve the nomination of the presented probationary 1 to probationary 2 teacher.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Employment:

New Hire:

Delia Bailey, NIS Gr 5 Classroom Teacher, Bachelor of Science from Salve Regina University. Ms. Tasker made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to approve Ms. Bailey.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Daniel Aylward, NIS Special Education Teacher, Bachelor of Arts from Susquehanna University. Ms. Tasker  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to approve Mr. Aylward.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Austin Kennie, Hanson Music Teacher, Bachelor of Arts from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Ms. Tasker made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to approve Mr. Kennie.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Taryn Frizzell- Hanson School Nurse, Bachelor of Science Nursing.  Ms. Tasker  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to approve Ms. Frizzell.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Fiona Carson- Hussey School Special Education Teacher, Master of Arts from Clark University. Ms. Tasker  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to approve Ms. Carson.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Jaime Matthews- Hussey School Special Education Teacher, Master of Business Administration, Starter University. Ms. Tasker  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to approve Ms. Matthews.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Jessica Hunnewell- Pre-K Speech Pathologist (.5), Master of Science, Boston University. Ms. Tasker  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to approve Ms. Hunnewell.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Devyn Harding- Knowlton Behavior Intervention, Master of Arts, University of Michigan- Ann Arbor. Ms. Tasker  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to approve Ms. Harding.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Resignation:

Kristen Hobbs - NIS intervention teacher resigned to take a similar position at Dover.  Ms. Tasker made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to accept the resignation. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Superintendent Update:

Ms. Beauvais spoke about MSMA Fall Conference 10/29 & 10/30 at Augusta Civic Center, letting Jen know by the start of September who would like to attend. 

SRRF at Noble Iintermediate School, ventilation systems in classrooms are being taken apart and new components replaced. All schools will be complete (except MHA & LES). All buildings will connect to one control.

Joe Sanfilippo will be coming to speak in MSAD60 on 8/20 with Marshwood, Traip, and York administrators as part of the Administrator Workshop Day. 

New teacher orientation on 8/17, 8/18, and 8/19.

Other:

Ms. Basko: Asked if there are restroom facilities in the transportation building? 

Ms. Sewell: Wants to discuss DIBELS vs iReady 

Ms. Tasker: Asked when will the policy committee reconvene? 

Ms. Basko: Can this evening’s Data Presentation be shared out?

Ms. Sewell: Thrilled with the scores on the NWEA. Can K-3 by individual schools be shared?

Ms. Wheeler: Gift and card for Kate as a thank you for her leadership

Public Input:

Jen Alix - Lebanon, ME and MSAD 60 bus driver. 

Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(A) Personnel Matter

Mr. Decato  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to go into executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(A) Personnel Matter. In at 8:35 pm. Out at 9:00 pm. 

Executive Session 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A) Evaluation of Employee:

Mr. Decato made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to go into executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(A) Evaluation of Employee. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  In at 9:01 pm. Out at 9:28pm. 

Adjournment

Ms. Basko made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Sewell to adjourn. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. Adjourned  at 9:28 pm. 

Respectfully submitted,

Audra Beauvais