MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF February 27, 2025
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 February 27, 2025 at 7:00 pm with all members attending except Ms. Wheeler who attended remotely.
Pledge of Allegiance
There were 25 in the audience.
Ms. Whalen read the public input statement.
Public Input:
None at this time.
Minutes:
Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to accept the minutes of the January 16, 2025 meeting. All members voted in favor except Ms. Neubert who abstained and the motion passed.
Financial Summary January 2025:
Ms. Denise Van Campen, Business Manager, shared with the board the financial summary for the General Fund as of January 31, 2025. She spoke specifically to expenses in the energy and athletics transportation area and noted that it was moderating and in a better place then when we had anticipated, so this is good news. She then discussed the miscellaneous revenue category and the ups and downs of that revenue. Board members asked some clarifying questions and Ms. Van Campen responded.
From Numbers to Knowledge the Student Experience Presentation:
The Administrative Team and supporting teachers gave an overview of where students are academically and how they apply the knowledge that they glean from assessments and daily interactions to support students grades K-12. The presentation began with the K-5 team and then there was information from the 6th and 7th grade. K-7 Board Presentation Draft The presentation ended with an overview from the 8-12 team. NHS Achievement Data Overview: Board Meeting 2/27/25
After the academic presentation, there was an update from Principal Archambault at NMS regarding the focus to cultivate a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for students. He discussed the positions that were included in the budget for this year and the impact of those positions on student behaviors etc. Here are some key data points through January compared to the same time period last year.
17.5% reduction in behavior referrals
Suspensions reduced by 32%
Chronic absenteeism reduced 37%
referrals for classroom disruption reduced by 63%
referrals for staff disrespect reduced by 53%
referrals for alcohol/tobacco/vape reduced by 53%
We surveyed all students pre and post wellness to measure the efficacy and we found that The response to wellness was greater in 6th grade than 7th grade, however, neither grade had negative reported negative impacts.
21% increase in 6th grade students reporting feeling more happy after wellness
90% increase in 6th grade students reporting feeling relaxed after wellness
47% of 6th grade students reported feeling better after wellness
40% increase in 7th graders reporting feeling better after wellness
These statistics are representative of the incredible effort, skill and professionalism of the entire staff at Noble Middle School.
Employment:
Resignation:
Amanda Foote- Special Education Teacher Hanson School. Ms. Lovejoy made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Stanton to approve the resignation of Ms. Foote. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Desiree Labbe- Teacher Hanson Elementary School, who is currently on a Leave of Absence. Ms. Lovejoy made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Stanton Whalen to approve the resignation of Ms. Labbe. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Retirement:
Chuck Bragdon- History Teacher, Noble High School (June 30, 2025). Ms. Lovejoy made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to approve the retirement resignation of Mr. Bragdon with appreciation and congratulations. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Superintendent Update:
March 6th Harriman Facilities Study Overview and initial draft budget presentation.
March 8th Budget Workshop at NHS 9 - 2
March 13th Budget workshop
March 20th Policy Committee meeting and regular board meeting (with more focus on the budget)
Backpack Donation:
The district has received an anonymous donation for $10,000 for the MSAD 60 Backpack Program. So appreciated! Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to accept the donation of $10,000 with thanks. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Other:
The Superintendent wanted to clarify the process of board members visiting the schools. She noted that in October as a board we discussed a process whereby a board member should reach out to the Assistant Superintendent to set up tours and/or individual visits to the school. And we asked that timing be taken into consideration. Ms. Sewell noted that she did recall the conversation but didn’t feel it was a protocol because it had not been voted on by the board. Ms. Wheeler noted that she believed it had been voted on in previous years prior to the current board because there had been some issues with board members showing up at the schools with little notice. Mr. Tabor noted that he felt that school board members have a state mandated obligation to get into the schools and talk with staff and with community members. He read the statute aloud. The board also discussed that the current school board adopted visitor policy KI did have language that gave the approval of setting the protocols up to building administration with the approval of the Superintendent. There was much discussion and the question was tabled for further conversation. Mr. Tabor and Ms. Sewell were set to go to the Knowlton School and to Noble Middle School the following day.
Mr. Tabor then had several questions for the superintendent:
Does the district currently (this year 24-25) have any biological males playing a female sport? No
Does the district allow biological males to access women’s bathrooms, women’s locker room, or women’s showers? We follow district policy and the Maine Human Rights Act
Does the district have any curricula at any grade level in any school that teaches our students that there are more than two sexes/genders? The superintendent shared that she will review this information before she shares it, to be sure that she is answering with full clarity.
Are parents informed if students asked to be called something other than their given name? We do allow students to utilize nicknames in the school. However, we do not allow them to “change their name” without parent knowledge as this requires legal documentation.
Ms. Basko asked that we consider sending policies ACAA, ACAA-R1 and ACAA-R2. ACAA-R2 back to the policy committee for revision in light of the changes in law. This is actually already on the docket for the policy committee for March 20th.
Ms. Basko asked about how we will respond should the state lose the federal funding if we are out of compliance with the executive orders. We are waiting from guidance from the state and we will have to handle that as soon as we know what the impact might be.
Ms. Sewell shared her beliefs about our reading program and that we need a different approach. She feels that we are utilizing an outdated program. The Superintendent shared that we are currently in the midst of reviewing the reading data and we will share it with the board when the process is complete.
Ms. Janousek shared that NBES had their 100 days celebration where each class donated items for The Back Pack Program, One Love and the North Berwick Food Pantry. 3676 items were donated. An overwhelming success.
Public Input:
Holly Dupuis of Berwick shared with the board her belief, as a parent, that the board should call the Central Office to set up their visits. It provides reasonable checks and balances for a board member to go into a school and ask questions. It gives a reasonable head’s up for admin and staff to organize the visit.
She also noted the positive happy vibe that is happening at the Middle School this year. In a very short period of time, wonderful things are happening and turning NMS school around and she wanted that to be noted. She shared her positive response to the statistics that Mr. Archambault shared about the upward trends.
Ms. Herlihy of Berwick shared with the board, as a citizen, she wanted to speak directly to the families of our LGBTQ plus students and specifically trans students. She noted that while watching the news they may be feeling frightened and that their very existence is being vilified and their experiences dismissed. Please understand that this school district is better every single day that you are in it. This world is a better place for having you in it. She notes she will stand by our students and their families with love, empathy and compassion, as she would her own children. Continue being brave… to be yourself in a world that is constantly telling you to be someone else.
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy to go into Executive Session 1 MRSA §405(6)(D) Labor Contract Negotiations- Teacher. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 9:51 pm. Out at 10:50
Ms. Janousek make the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to go into Executive Session 1 MRSA §405(6)(D) Labor Contract Negotiations- AFL-CIO. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 10:50 pm. Out at 10:58 pm.
Ms Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to go into Executive Session 1 MRSA §405(6)(D) Labor Contract Negotiations- Support Staff. In at 10:59 pm. Out at 11:02 pm.
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 11:03 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Audra Beauvais