MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF February 15, 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
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person in North Berwick, Maine on February 15, 2024 at 7 p.m. with all members attending in person except Ms. Wheeler and Ms. Lovejoy who attended remotely.
There were 30 in the audience.
Vice Chair Ms. Kate Whalen of North Berwick read the public input statement.
Public Input:
None at this time.
Minutes
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Tabor to accept the minutes of the February 1, 2024 meeting as amended. All members voted in favor except Ms. Whalen and Mr. Doiron who abstained and the motion passed.
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to accept the minutes of the February 8, 2024 meeting as presented. All members voted in favor except Mr. Doiron who abstained and the motion passed.
SRRF Grant Discussion and Vote
The Superintendent shared with the board an overview of the SRRF Grant Summary.
Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to approve and submit the intent to accept the SRRF funding through the state of Maine. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Financial Summary
Ms. Van Campen, business manager, shared with the board the updated financial statement. The board asked a few questions regarding electricity rates.
SRO Continued Discussion
There was further discussion regarding the SRO officer. Ms. Travers asked what an SRO day looks like. Ms. Austin explained that a large piece of the day would be community policing. Making connections with students, discipline issues with students and bullying. School and student safety is the most important function. Ms. Travers has a concern that a police officer being asked to discipline a student, and that if a student gets hurt they will be liable. Ms. Neubert is very supportive of the SRO. In her experience in other schools, the SROs build relations with students and families, get to know the students that needed extra guidance. Those officers are trained for difficult situations. Ms. Whalen asked clarifying questions about the DARE program. Ms. Austin briefly explained that it is a program that runs weekly lessons for approximately 8 weeks. Ms. Beauvais went on to say that we have used our SROs in the past for custody paperwork that has been submitted to the district and interpretation from a law enforcement perspective. Ms. Stanton asked what does the Lebanon community feel about it and are they going to block payment? Mr. Tabor doesn’t think it is feasible for Lebanon, so he believes only the middle and high school. Ms. Wheeler feels that the bigger issue is the time of response. We have a school, in Lebanon, that does not have a guaranteed response time, along with the other benefits of having an SRO. Ms. Austin suggested a community event that all of Lebanon could participate in and fill out an exit ticket.
Employment:
Leave Of Absence:
Ms. Desiree Labbe, Grade 1 Teacher at Hanson Elementary School, is requesting to take a leave of absence for the 2024-25 school year. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Doiron to approve the leave of absence for Ms. Labbe. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Superintendent Update
The Superintendent shared Amanda McIntire, a math coach, has created a podcast that is on the website and the newsletter called, “Monthly Math Minute”.
The Superintendent shared Love the Bus Month and the Berwick Community Media featured 2 of our drivers, Janet and Joelle, and was extremely well done. It can be viewed on our website.
There was a question from a Board member regarding the prevalence of vaping at the Middle School. There is an increase in vaping at both the high school and the middle school. When students at the middle school are confirmed as vaping the consequences are suspensions as well as a course with the health coordinator that focuses on the facts, dependency, healthy alternatives and focusing on next steps to avoid vaping. Mr. Archambault reports that the course is pretty well received and has opened students' eyes. There are two levels that are happening. Students who are very dependent on nicotine and its chronic piece and we are very focused on that. Then there are students that try it and get caught and it’s a one off.
At the high school we are piloting a vape detector and it has been successful. We will be expanding them in the future.
Celebrations
Ms. Austin shared that back in December a large group of people came together to talk about the struggles in the community. They broke up into 3 smaller groups. One focuses on mentoring that Mr. Dufort leads. We have high school and middle school students working together. The Berwick Recreation Department is increasing their mentoring program so we are working together to focus on digital safety.
Public Input
Charlie Galemmo of North Berwick, shared with the board his thoughts about the SRO in Lebanon and deferring the cost to Berwick and North Berwick tax payers when Lebanon decided they did not want a police department.
Mr. Mark Rouillard of North Berwick asked a question of the board whether or not we would allow carrying a long gun in the schools. Vaping can not be stopped in the schools, it should be up to our legislatures.
Mr. Eustaquio Dones, teacher and Communication Director for MSAD 60, shared his appreciation of the increased attendance at the board meetings. He asked that if you would like to come into the schools, he would like to create the opportunity for the members of the public and for the board to see what an actual day in the schools looks like. He feels the public would be really impressed.
Mr. Jon Hall, a teacher at Noble Middle School and parent in North Berwick, shared his concerns regarding education, curriculum and school boards are under attack. People in the audience have been saying things that are appalling, in public records and then have the audacity to question the curriculum of teachers. Teachers don’t feel safe, not about people carrying guns around, but the silent majority of our three towns who believe in the legal system, the democratic system, think service in the military or as a public official, we need to educate the “democratic mob” and create educated citizens who can vote and work together as a community. He fought for public education. Right now he feels like people are fighting against public education. He really hopes that our community members can come out and vote.
Adjournment:
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Tabor to adjourn the meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Adjourned at 8:13 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Audra Beauvais