Minutes of July 17, 2025

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF July 17, 2025

Current Board Members- 

        North Berwick-  Lauren Janousek, Kate Whalen, Joshua Tabor

                           Berwick- Alison Herlihy,Marissa Tasker, Peg Wheeler

                           Lebanon- Nancy Sewell, Jeridene Basko, Melissa Cyr 

(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.)

Board Workshop with Drummond Woodsum   

Workshop

Swearing In and Oath of New Members

The superintendent held the swearing in of the two new board members, Ms. Marissa Tasker of Berwick and Melissa Cyr of Lebanon. Welcome to our new board members. 

Executive Session

Executive Session Pursuant to 1M.R.S.A. §405(6)(E) Consultations Between School Unit and its Attorney

Ms. Janousek  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy  to go into executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(E) Consultations Between School Unit and its Attorney. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 4:44 pm. Out at 5:45 pm.

Board Workshop Business Brief: Denise VanCampen, Business Manager, gave an overview of some of the budgetary and financial information that the board will see over the next several months. Ms VanCampen shared that she will be providing more financial, budget and business information on a monthly basis to help the board with the complexities of the financial pieces of the district. 

A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person on July 17, 2025 at 7:00 pm with all members attending except Ms. Cyr who was remote. 

There were 3 members of the public present. 

Pledge of Allegiance

Ms. Wheeler read the public input statement. 

Public Input: None at this time.

Seating of  Board Chair and Oath of Office; Seating of Vice Chair

Ms. Basko made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Sewell to nominate Mr. Tabor as chair. All members voted in favor except Ms. Herlihy, Ms. Wheeler, Ms. Janousek, Ms Cyr,  Ms. Whalen and the motion failed.

Ms. Wheeler made the Motion  and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy of Ms. Whalen as chair.  

Chair of the Board for the 2025/2026 school year. All members voted in favor except Ms. Basko, Ms. Sewall and Mr. Tabor and the motion passed. 

Ms. Basko made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Sewell to nominate Mr. Tabor as Vice Chair of the Board for the 2025/2026 school year.   Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Cyr to nominate Ms. Wheeler as Vice Chair of the Board for the 2025/2026 school year. And Ms. Herlihy nominated herself and it was seconded by Ms.Sewell Vice Chair of the Board for the 2025/2026 school year.  Members voted 4 for Ms. Wheeler, 3 for Mr. Tabor and 2 for Ms. Herlihy. Ms Wheeler will be the Vice Chair of the Board for the 2025/2026 school year. 

Minutes: 

Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler  to table the minutes of  June 5, 2025. All members voted in favor and the motion was passed. 

Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler  to table the minutes of  June 11, 2025. All members voted in favor and the motion was passed. 

Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler  to table the minutes of  July 3, 2025. All members voted in favor and the motion was passed. 

Technology Lease Review

The board then reviewed the Technology Leases. Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to:

July 17, 2025 

Motion: I move that the Resolution entitled, “Resolution to Authorize Lease Purchase of New Technology  Equipment in the Principal Amount of $546,812” be adopted in form presented to this meeting.  

RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE LEASE PURCHASE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $546,812 

The School Board of Maine School Administrative District No. 60 (the “District”) hereby resolves as  follows:  

1. That Superintendent of Schools (the “Superintendent”) and the Business Manager, acting singly,  are authorized to accept the proposal of MCB Leasing, LLC (the “Lessor”), to provide tax-exempt  lease purchase financing for new technology equipment with related peripherals, accessories,  software, and licenses (the “Equipment”) in the principal amount of $546,812 at an interest rate of  4.76% payable in three (3) annual installments and any prior such action is hereby ratified and  confirmed; 

2. That under and pursuant to the provisions of Title 20-A M.R.S. Sections 1001 and 1055, and all  other applicable law, the Superintendent is authorized to execute and deliver a lease purchase  agreement with Lessor, or its nominee, in the name and on behalf of the District for the Equipment,  with an aggregate lease purchase price not to exceed $546,812, in such form and on such terms not  inconsistent herewith as the Superintendent may approve (the “Lease”);  

3. That to the extent not inconsistent with this Resolution, the Superintendent is hereby authorized to  select such date(s), maturity(ies), denomination(s), interest rate(s), place(s) of payment, form(s),  and other details of the Lease, as the Superintendent may approve, said approval to be conclusively  evidenced by the execution and delivery thereof; 

4. That the Superintendent is authorized, as applicable, to designate the Lease issued pursuant hereto  as a qualified tax-exempt obligation within the meaning of Section 265(b)(3) of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”);  

5. That the Superintendent is authorized to covenant on behalf of the Lessee that no part of the  proceeds of the Lease or the Equipment shall be used, directly or indirectly, in a manner that would  cause the Lease to be an “arbitrage bond” or a “private activity bond” within the meaning of  Sections 141 and 148 of the Code; 

6. That the Superintendent is authorized to execute and deliver such tax certificates, arbitrage and use  of proceeds certificates, and other documents and certificates as may, in the Superintendent's  opinion, be necessary or convenient to effect the transactions herein authorized, to be in such form  not inconsistent with this Resolution as the Superintendent may approve, said approval to be  conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery thereof;  

7. That the Superintendent and other appropriate officials of the District, acting singly, are authorized  and empowered in its name and on its behalf to do or cause to do all such other acts and things as  may be necessary or desirable in order to effect the sale and delivery of the Lease in accordance  herewith, and any such prior action by them is hereby ratified and confirmed; 

8. That if the Superintendent or any other District officer or official is for any reason unavailable to,  as applicable, approve, execute or attest the Lease, or any related financing documents, the person 

or persons acting in any such capacity, whether as an assistant, a deputy or otherwise, is authorized  to act for such official with the same force and effect as if such official had herself/himself  performed such act, and any such prior action by them is hereby ratified and confirmed; 

9. That the Treasurer of the District, in consultation with Bond Counsel, is authorized to implement  written procedures with respect to the Lease for the purpose of (i) ensuring timely “remedial action”  for any portion of the Lease that may become “non-qualified bonds,” as those terms are defined in  the Code and regulations thereunder; and (ii) monitoring the District’s compliance following  execution of the Lease with the arbitrage, yield restriction, and rebate requirements of the Code and  regulations thereunder;  

10. That the Superintendent is authorized to covenant on behalf of the District to file any information  report and pay any rebate due to the United States in connection with the issuance of the Lease, and  to take all other lawful actions necessary to ensure the interest portion of the rental payments under  and pursuant to the Lease will be excludable from the gross income of the owners thereof for  purposes of federal income taxation and to refrain from taking any action which would cause such  interest portion of the rental payments to become includable in the gross income of the owners  thereof;  

11. That an attested copy of this Resolution be filed with the minutes of this meeting. A true copy, attest: 

_________________________________ 

Audra Beauvais, Secretary 

Maine School Administrative District No. 60

All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Transportation Lease Review

The board then reviewed the Transportation Leases. Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler  to:

July 17, 2025 

Motion: I move that the Resolution entitled, “Resolution to Authorize Lease Purchase of Three (3) New  School Buses in the Principal Amount of $412,920” be adopted in form presented to this meeting.  

RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE LEASE PURCHASE OF THREE (3) NEW SCHOOL BUSES IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $412,920 

The School Board of Maine School Administrative District No. 60 (the “District”) hereby resolves as  follows:  

1. That Superintendent of Schools (the “Superintendent”) and the Business Manager, acting singly,  are authorized to accept the proposal of MCB Leasing, LLC (the “Lessor”), to provide tax-exempt  lease purchase financing for three (3) new school buses with related equipment and accessories (the  “Equipment”) in the principal amount of $412,920 at an interest rate of 4.70% payable in five (5)  annual installments and any prior such action is hereby ratified and confirmed; 

2. That under and pursuant to the provisions of Title 20-A M.R.S. Sections 1001, 1055 and 5401(15),  and all other applicable law, the Superintendent is authorized to execute and deliver a lease  purchase agreement with Lessor, or its nominee, in the name and on behalf of the District for the  Equipment, with an aggregate lease purchase price not to exceed $412,920, in such form and on  such terms not inconsistent herewith as the Superintendent may approve (the “Lease”);  

3. That to the extent not inconsistent with this Resolution, the Superintendent is hereby authorized to  select such date(s), maturity(ies), denomination(s), interest rate(s), place(s) of payment, form(s),  and other details of the Lease, as the Superintendent may approve, said approval to be conclusively  evidenced by the execution and delivery thereof; 

4. That the Superintendent is authorized, as applicable, to designate the Lease issued pursuant hereto  as a qualified tax-exempt obligation within the meaning of Section 265(b)(3) of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”);  

5. That the Superintendent is authorized to covenant on behalf of the Lessee that no part of the  proceeds of the Lease or the Equipment shall be used, directly or indirectly, in a manner that would  cause the Lease to be an “arbitrage bond” or a “private activity bond” within the meaning of  Sections 141 and 148 of the Code; 

6. That the Superintendent is authorized to execute and deliver such tax certificates, arbitrage and use  of proceeds certificates, and other documents and certificates as may, in the Superintendent's  opinion, be necessary or convenient to effect the transactions herein authorized, to be in such form  not inconsistent with this Resolution as the Superintendent may approve, said approval to be  conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery thereof;  

7. That the Superintendent and other appropriate officials of the District, acting singly, are authorized  and empowered in its name and on its behalf to do or cause to do all such other acts and things as  may be necessary or desirable in order to effect the sale and delivery of the Lease in accordance  herewith, and any such prior action by them is hereby ratified and confirmed; 

8. That if the Superintendent or any other District officer or official is for any reason unavailable to,  as applicable, approve, execute or attest the Lease, or any related financing documents, the person  or persons acting in any such capacity, whether as an assistant, a deputy or otherwise, is authorized 

to act for such official with the same force and effect as if such official had herself/himself  performed such act, and any such prior action by them is hereby ratified and confirmed; 

9. That the Treasurer of the District, in consultation with Bond Counsel, is authorized to implement  written procedures with respect to the Lease for the purpose of (i) ensuring timely “remedial action”  for any portion of the Lease that may become “non-qualified bonds,” as those terms are defined in  the Code and regulations thereunder; and (ii) monitoring the District’s compliance following  execution of the Lease with the arbitrage, yield restriction, and rebate requirements of the Code and  regulations thereunder;  

10. That the Superintendent is authorized to covenant on behalf of the District to file any information  report and pay any rebate due to the United States in connection with the issuance of the Lease, and  to take all other lawful actions necessary to ensure the interest portion of the rental payments under  and pursuant to the Lease will be excludable from the gross income of the owners thereof for  purposes of federal income taxation and to refrain from taking any action which would cause such  interest portion of the rental payments to become includable in the gross income of the owners  thereof; and 

11. That an attested copy of this Resolution be filed with the minutes of this meeting. A true copy, attest: 

_________________________________ 

Audra Beauvais, Secretary 

Maine School Administrative District No. 60

All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Employment:

Reaffirm the Vote of Hanson Elementary School Principal

Carmen Carpenter-Hanson Elementary School Principal. Ms. Janousek  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to approve Ms. Carpenter.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

LOA:

Kate Mochon- NHS Art Teacher is requesting a 2 year Leave of Absence to teach in Turkey.

Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to approve the leave of Ms. Mochon.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed with the best of luck!

New Hire:

Madeline Sawyer- ELKS/ NBES Art Teacher and has a degree from the University of New Hampshire. Ms. Wheeler  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve Ms. Sawyer.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

Audrey Paskowski- ELKS/NBES PE  Teacher and has a degree from the University of Southern Maine. Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to approve Ms. Paskowski.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

Bob Noel- NMS Grade 7 Science Teacher and has a degree from the University of Maine. Ms. Wheeler  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve Mr. Noel.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

Shaylene Wallace-Borden- NMS Social Worker and has a degree from the University of New England. Ms. Wheeler  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve Ms. Wallace-Borden.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

Jennifer Daraoui- NIS Grade 5 Teacher and has a degree from the St Joseph’s College. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve Ms. Daraoui.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

Sophia Anderson- NIS Grade 5 Teacher and has a degree from the Plymouth State College. Ms. Wheeler  made the motion and it was seconded by  Ms. Janousek to approve Ms. Anderson.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Elizabeth Norcia- NIS Excel Teacher and has a degree from the University of Southern Maine. Ms. Wheeler  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve Ms. Norcia.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

Resignation:

Kevin Loranger, Gr 5 Teacher Lebanon Elementary School. Mr. Tabor  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to approve the resignation of Mr. Loranger. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Alec Robinson, Noble HS Physics Teacher. Ms. Wheeler  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy to approve the resignation of Mr. Robinson. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Superintendent Update:

The Superintendent updated the  board on the multiple moves that are happening throughout the district. Departments moving and materials going all over the district. The teams are doing an outstanding job!

The new principal at Hanson School will be in district as of Monday July 21st. Very exciting! 

Hiring of the new assistant principal at the Hanson School is in process. We will be interviewing three finalists next week and then we will bring a name forward to the board on July 24th at 6 pm. 

Public Input:

None at this time. 

Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to remove the executive session 1MRSA 405 6 B. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Adjournment: 

Ms.Janousek  made a motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler  to adjourn the meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Adjourned at 8:18 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Audra Beauvais