MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF December 5, 2024
Current Board Members-
North Berwick- Lauren Janousek, Kate Whalen, Joshua Tabor
Berwick- Alison Herlihy, Elva Lovejoy, Peg Wheeler
Lebanon- Nancy Sewell, Jeridene Basko, Nancy Neubert
(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 on December 5, 2024 at 7:00 pm with all members attending .
Pledge of Allegiance
There were 37 in the audience.
Ms. Whalen made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to postpone the executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA 405§(6)(D)Labor Contract Negotiations- Teacher. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Whalen made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to move the Superintendent’s Update to Item #4. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Whalen read the public input statement.
Public Input:
Ms. Joyce Tabor of North Berwick expressed her opinion of the previous school board meeting’s public input session. She noted that a speaker was allowed to exceed his speaking time limits without intervention. She argued that the speaker's negative tone undermined their message and set a poor example, especially with students present. Ms. Tabor also shared that she felt the chairperson failed to enforce meeting rules and manage the speaker's conduct, which should include maintaining decorum and limiting speaking time. Ms. Tabor called for swift changes to transform the board into a more professional body that can engage in respectful, open-minded dialogue.
Ms. Jennifer Dillon, of Lebanon, expressed concerns regarding the previous board meeting's divisive tone and inconsistent use of the Norms card, calling for more respectful and professional communication. She thanked two board members for developing goals, even though they were rejected at the previous meeting. Ms. Dillon noted what she believed are community concerns about academic performance, mentioning the recent loss of a math teacher due to disagreements about grading and test policies. She urged the board to re-evaluate the academic support system and maintain a more constructive approach to addressing educational challenges.
Minutes:
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy to accept the minutes of November 21, 2024 meeting as amended. All members voted in favor except Mr. Tabor who opposed and Ms. Lovejoy and Ms. Basko who abstained and the motion passed.
Superintendent Update:
Mr. Aaron Moore, Athletic Director introduced our Noble High School Football team representatives. Mr. Keenan Blindow, our Varsity Football Coach, shared with the board the overall season and the success that they had in the season.
Support staff negotiations Wed. the 11th at 3:15
The Teacher's Negotiations group will meet next week to prepare.
School Safety Overviews:
Mr. AJ Dufort, principal of Noble High School shred an overview of ALICE
Alert
Lockdown
Inform
Counter
Evacuate
It is very tangible for students. It is reviewed at the beginning of the school year for our students by our staff. The goal is to maximize safety.
Crisis Go: Mr. Archambault, principal of Noble Middle School gave an overview of the application Crisis Go and how it is utilized in all of the schools throughout the district.
There are safety committees in each of the buildings. Schools are required to hold drills each year. There are 10 required at the elementary levels and 8 at middle and high school. We discussed the options for getting out of our buildings and what to do if we need to stay in the building. There is a lot of emphasis on practicing good listening skills.
The Fire Department comes over and gives feedback on routing, timing, efficiency etc.
Ms. Basko made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Tabor to move Pre-K conversation above the board goals. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Pre-K Grant Discussion
Dr. Shannon Swiger, Director of Teaching and Learning and Mr. AJ Dufort, Principal of NHS gave an overview of the Pre K grant and what it would mean to the district both long term academically as well as financially.
The board had lengthy conversations regarding the Pre K program and board members expressed their opinions regarding the grant and what happens with the program after the one year grant is completed..
Ms Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy to accept the One Year State of Maine Expansion Grant for Preschool for FY 26. All members voted in favor except Ms. Basko and the motion passed.
Board Goals- w/motion:
The Superintendent shared the final draft of the goals with the board. Board members shared their opinions regarding the various goals and specifically around academic achievement. An attachment that will get updated regularly will be provided as well. Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to approve the Board Goals. All members voted in favor except Ms. Sewell and Mr. Tabor and the motion passed.
Employment:
Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to accept the resignation of Stanley Scontras, Math Teacher at Noble High School. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Other:
The Superintendent shared with the board that we are trying to move the board meetings back to the library if the sound systems are up and running. The set up in the library for the board is more conducive conversation and being able to see each other and who is speaking. This should help with the norms. Please check the agendas for location of the meetings. We will move to the library as soon as possible.
The board chair reminded the board to use their school board email addresses instead of their personal email addresses.
Ms. Basko spoke about the misuse of norms and the bullying tactics directed at another board member. She expressed concern regarding math and science performances as testing scores have been declining since 2013. Ms. Basko expressed concern about the NWEA and how it may not help students improve as it compares students on a ranking scale and does not tell what students know. Ms. Basko feels the board needs to take some responsibility for the declining performances and stop wasting time with history lessons and attacks on the board members who are trying to make changes.
Ms. Janousek noted that the North Berwick PTO won first place in the Holiday Parade in North Berwick.
Public Input
None at this time.
Adjournment:
Ms. Janousek made a motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to adjourn the meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Adjourned at 9:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Audra Beauvais