Minutes of June 24, 2026

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF June 24, 2026

Current Board Members- 

        North Berwick-  Lauren Janousek, Kate Whalen, Richard DeCato

                           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.)

(present for the exec. Session: Ms. Wheeler, Ms. Janousek, Ms. Sewell, Ms. Tasker,  Ms Cyr,  Ms. Whalen and Ms. Basko  Mr. DeCato joined the meeting at 5:08 pm)

Executive Session 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A) Duties of Officials/ Appointees/ Employees:

Ms. Janousek  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Tasker to go into executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(A) Duties of Officials/ Appointees/ Employees. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 5:00pm. Out at 5:23 pm. 

Annual Board Workshop

Executive Session 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(E) Officials Legal Rights and Duties of School Unit: cancelled

Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to cancel the executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(A) Duties of Officials/ Appointees/ Employees. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Ms. Janousek  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Tasker to add an executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(A) Duties of Officials/ Appointees/ Employees. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person at Noble Middle and High School on June 24, 2026 at 7:15pm with all members attending in person except Ms. Herlihy.

There were 4 in  the audience. 

Pledge of Allegiance

Ms. Wheeler read the public input statement. 

Public Input: 

None at this time. 

Minutes: 

Ms. Tasker  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek  to accept the minutes of June 11, 2026 as amended.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Policy First Reading: 

BEDBA Agenda Format

This was considered to be a first reading. 

Employment:

New Hire:

Ekaterina Randall - Assistant Principal Hanson Elementary (.5). Ms. Wheeler  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Cyr  to approve Ms. Randall.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Stephen Coffey - Assistant Athletic Director (.5).  Masters of Business Administration from Thomas College. Ms. Cyr  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Tasker to approve Mr. Coffey.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Retirement:

Susan Austin, Assistant Superintendent shared her letter of retirement after 37 years in the district. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Tasker to approve the retirement of Ms. Austin. With appreciation. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Extension of Superintendent contract. 

Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to extend the Superintendent’s  contract for one more year. All members voted in favor except Mr. DeCato and the motion passed. 

Executive Session 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A) Duties of Officials/ Appointees/ Employees:

Ms. Janousek  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler  to go into executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(A) Duties of Officials/ Appointees/ Employees. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 7:35pm. Out at 7:48 pm. 

Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms.Cyr to nominate and hire Mr. AJ Dufort to transition into the Assistant Superintendent role. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

Superintendent Update:

High Quality Resources

This Friday a workshop will be held by the Southern Maine Regional Service Center in Sanford to provide training and professional development to our custodial staff.  

July 16th will be the organizational meeting for the board of directors. 

Look out for a feedback form for the board agenda. 

Summer programming begins right after the July 4th holiday. 

Other:

Ms. Basko asked to add an agenda item to the July meeting regarding starting the conversation regarding the Mary Hurd Academy. 

Ms. Sewell asked about the policy book and if it was updated.

Public Input:

None

Adjournment

Ms. Janousek  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko  to adjourn. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. Adjourned  at 8:00 pm. 

Respectfully submitted,

Audra Beauvais