MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF February 1, 2024
Current Board Members-
North Berwick- Lauren Janousek, Kate Whalen, Joshua Tabor
Berwick- Travis Doiron, Elva Lovejoy, Peg Wheeler
Lebanon- Victoria Travers, Jeridene Basko, Nancy Neubert
Executive Session Pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A §405(6)(B) Expulsion of Student
Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to go into executive session pursuant to 1M.R.S.A. §405(6)(B) Expulsion of a Student. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 6:32 pm. Out at 6:52 pm.
Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Tabor to expel the student under consideration. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Executive Session Pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A §405(6)(E) Legal Rights and Duties of School Unit
Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to go into executive session pursuant to 1M.R.S.A. §405(6)(E) Legal Rights and Duties of School Unit. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 6:53 pm. Out at 7:15pm.
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person in North Berwick, Maine on February 1, 2024 at 7:20 p.m. with all members attending in person except Mr. Doiron. Ms. Whalen-Stanton attended remotely.
There were 22 in the audience.
Vice Chair Ms. Nancy Neubert of Lebanon read the public input statement.
Public Input:
Mr. Charles Galemmo of North Berwick, came forward to share his concern regarding the talk of arming staff/teachers in schools. He shared that the training necessary for carrying weapons in a school setting is significant. You have two choices, either determine that the risk isn’t great enough to fund or you spend the funds for a law enforcement officer.
Ms. Valerie Higgins of Lebanon Maine shared her concerns regarding her grandson. She feels that there has been threatening bullying and intimidation by the administration regarding his attendance and immunizations. He has been much sicker since he’s been attending school in person. She wondered if he might be allergic to something in the school. She shared more concerns regarding instances that occurred at school. She noted that the staff at the schools have been wonderful, but feels that the administration is targeting her. She would like it to stop. We should all be working together for the betterment of our kids. Especially the special needs students.
Minutes:
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Travers to accept the minutes of the January 18, 2024 meeting as amended. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Student Data Presentation- Dr. Shannon Swiger:
Dr. Swiger shared information regarding Maine Through Year 2023. This information was requested by a board member on December 18th. It follows up Data information presented to the board on September 21st and November 16th of 2023. This data is not for public consumption yet via the Department of Education, but Dr. Swiger is sharing it for the board’s consumption and review.
Board members asked some specific questions regarding the presentation and the data. Are we looking to increase our data and to what degree. 85% for our students is the overall goal for students to meet in reading and mathematics. We are showing good growth in reading but math is an area of concern and we have reviewed and revamped our curriculum to address the concerns. The change in curriculum does take a time frame to show the results of the changes. Dr. Swiger also shared contact information for the Maine Department of Education data team leader for the board to reach out to directly if they’d like more specific state information and the psychometrics of the testing protocols. krista.averill@maine.gov
Dr. Swiger noted that the assessment at the state level has changed every 2 years over the past ten years and thus the actual trends of data are not easily assessed. However, we are consistently tracking our data within our programs and utilizing the information to inform and improve practice.
School Revolving Renovation Fund Grant Update
Denise Van Campen, Business Manager shared with the board an overview of the SRRF projects and noted that we were approved for multiple projects. The board was given overviews of each of the projects and was told that we would review them at a future meeting so that board members could have time to digest the information before making a decision. We need to be poised to have a discussion and potential vote at the Feb. 15th meeting.
Noble Community Employer Appreciation Breakfast Update
The Assistant Superintendent shared with the board an overview of the Noble Community Appreciation breakfast that took place January 14 at Noble High school. Although the weather was dicey, over 50 people representing 25 employers in our district (and in the surrounding areas) joined the conversation that was orchestrated by our Transition Coordinator and our External Learning Opportunity staff who work with a variety of students in the district. They asked groups of people to answer questions regarding needed skill sets in the employees who are entering their doors and also shared specific needs of employers in the overall job market. An emphasis from all parties was in the area of soft skills: interpersonal skills, communication, leadership, problem solving, etc. This is the first gathering of this group and the team will follow up with another meeting likely in the late spring to encourage more communication. Several board members were in attendance as well.
Employment:
Leave Of Absence:
Cassie Thompson, English Teacher at Noble High School, is requesting to take a leave of absence beginning for the 2024-25 school year. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Travers to approve the leave of absence for Ms. Thompson. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Abbey Hubbell, Nutrition Director, is requesting to take an extended leave of absence after the birth of her child. Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to approve the extended leave of absence. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Superintendent Update:
Maddox Jordan, 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year.
10 students will be earning 6 college credits in Blue Print Reading and Machine Shop Principles. Classes will occur at the YCCC Machine Shop located in Sanford.
The Superintendent shared an update on student enrollment at Sanford Regional Technical Center where many of our students attend in their junior and senior years. In 2019- 410 students attended SRTC from many sending schools. In 2023- 645 students attended. Each year our applications increase and this year we had 118 students accepted. Not all of our students are getting into these programs and the future looks to be even more competitive.
Other:
Ms. Janousek shared that the Ski Club took place last month in grades 3-12th grade. 153 students participated and they skied at Gunstock Mountain. It was a great time!
Public Input:
Ms. Valarie Higgins asked about the air quality issues in Lebanon and how that might be impacting the children. She reiterated working together for the benefit of the students.
Mr. Mark Cahoon of North Berwick stated that he appreciated that we are trying to get something going with the employers and the community. He pointed out that our students need to be more ambitious and off cell phones and social media. He asked about the standards for athletics and whether they have standards for participation. There are. He asked for a prayer after the board said the pledge of allegiance.
Mr. Mark Rouillard, stated that the DEI program that is being taught in school should not be.
He also noted that he didn’t believe the statistics that were shared and also talked about getting back to basics.
Mr. Ken Dutch, of North Berwick, spoke positively about his current student who is working with him repairing cars and how he is feeling that he’d like to work with the high school to provide appropriate tech books to support the learning that he is receiving in his work place.
Mr. Roger Link, North Berwick, noted that he works for Pratt Whitney, and also noted that Pratt Whitney is looking for employers for their machining programs. He wondered about partnerships and classes to teach machining in our schools. Why can’t we have a program here in the school rather than send them to SRTC?
Mr. Chris Whitley, of North Berwick, shared with the board that he has been called back to Pratt to help as there just are not enough skilled workers coming into the workforce.
Executive session
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to go into executive session for contract negotiations. In at 8:32 Out at 8:55
Adjournment:
Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to adjourn the meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Adjourned at 8:56 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Audra Beauvais