MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING, January 7, 2021
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held virtually and in person at Noble High School on January 7, 2021 at 6:30 pm, with all members present virtually except Ms. Manley.
Mr. Doiron made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to go into executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA §405(6)(D) Labor Contract Negotiations. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 6:30 pm. Out at 7:03 pm.
Ms. Neubert shared the public input statement.
Public Input:
Ms. Jennifer England of North Berwick shared this:
Will the high school be extending its remote learning schedule? York County positivity rates are frightening, the new COVIS-19 variant is in New England, and many of our district families have struggled with positive cases over the break. I am hoping the board makes the safest possible decisions for teachers, students, and families as we enter what scientists and doctors are describing as the darkest period of the virus. Thank you.
Ms. Jennica Osborne of North Berwick shared this: I have concerns about our students returning to school next week in the hybrid model due to the recent holidays/vacation/uptick in cases/family visits. We were one of the families affected by the 12/15 close contact exposure at NMS and spent 10 days (through the holidays) in quarantine. I request that we delay the return to school and continue with the red model until at least 1/18 week. Thank you.
Ms. Manley joined the meeting at 7:15 pm.
Ms. Potter made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Corliss to accept the minutes of December 17, 2020 as amended. All members voted in favor except Ms. Hopper, Ms. Schaeffer and Mr. Doiron who abstained and the motion passed.
Update for the student representatives to the board. We have students that we are in contact with and hopefully will be with us at the next board meeting.
Ms. VanCampen, Business Manager, shared with the board the budget timeline for FY22. She reviewed the budget timeline.
The Superintendent then shared with the board several donations for the food service and the backpack programs.
Backpack Program
Jacqueline and Sean Doughterty $500
Omni Services $2,000
Kim Talon and Family $1,253 cash donation and several boxes of food
Community Lunch Program
The Raymond and Elaclaire Gosselin Foundation $2,000
Harvest Goddess $2,000
Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Schaeffer to gratefully accept the very generous donations to our school programs. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Susan Macri, Special Education Director, shared with the board the instruction provided to our students in the remote world for our special education students. She shared the general overview of services and focused on the emphasis and importance of individualizing instruction based on specific needs. The board members asked some specific questions and Ms. Macri answered those.
Ms. Amy Creighton, Director of Nursing for the district shared with the board an update on the recent cases throughout the past couple of weeks over our holiday break. The board discussed whether or not we would return to our hybrid model starting with January 11th. Board members expressed their concerns about returning and also about not returning. The overall sense is that as long as we are keeping on top of things and making decisions rapidly, then we can go forward with the plan to return on Monday, January 11th.
Attendance update. The staff ranged from 98% to 99%. The student range was 92%-99%. Still strong numbers for attendance at all levels.
Transportation: Ms. Brenda Cravens shared with the board that we have a driver who has tested positive for Covid 19 and unfortunately two other drivers were in close contact so they are unable to work at this time. However, she was able to navigate the situation and is able to assure that we will have transportation all set for Monday. We are also able to add in students within 24/48 hours particularly at the elementary level.
Athletics: We are currently still in the yellow and therefore can’t have actual athletics. However the coaches will still be reaching out to students to maintain connections etc.
The Superintendent shared with the board the addendum to the Support Staff Contract to add the bus monitors. Ms. Potter made the motion and Ms. Hagenbuch seconded it to approve the addendum to the support staff contract. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Other:
Ms. Schaeffer shared with the board that she will not be running again at the end of her term in the spring. Ms. Potter also shared that she would be retiring from the board in the spring after 18 years. We will miss them both immensely and appreciate their years of service.
Ms. Potter made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to adjourn. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Adjourned at 8:21 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Audra Beauvais