Minutes of June 5, 2025

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF June 5, 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.)

Executive Session 1 MRSA §405(6)(A) Evaluation of Officials/Appointees/Employees

Ms. Janousek  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen  to go into executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(A) Evaluation of Officials/Appointees/ Employees. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 6:31  pm. Out at 6:49 pm.

A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person on June 5, 2025 at 7:00 pm with all members attending except Ms. Lovejoy.  

There were 16 members of the public. 

Pledge of Allegiance

The vice chair read the public input statement. 

Public Input:

Kelli Shutt, Lebanon parent, shared her concerns regarding the lack of data regarding bullying 

And her experiences. board meeting.docx

Minutes: 

Ms. Basko made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler  to table the minutes of  May 15, 2025. All members voted in favor and the motion was passed. 

Audit RKO

Ms. Jen Connors of Runyon Kerteen Ouellette shared the audit update/financial overview for the 2024 school year. Ms. Connors noted that the audit went well.  We received a clean opinion on the financial statements. Compliance Report/ Statement of Assurance 

Business Brief 

Ms. Denise Van Campen, the business manager,  gave an overview  of several financial 

Pre K grant and what it means to the district over the next three years.  

Expenses to tax payers (estimated!!) for people to take into considerations per $100,000

70.94 Berwick 

72.11 Lebanon 

43.29 North Berwick

Ms. Van Campen also shared an update regarding the June 10th budget referendum and what questions would be asked. The second question must be asked every three years… a yes vote means the process stays the same.  A no vote would eliminate the referendum but continue the annual meeting to determine the budget.

Superintendent Summer Hire (Teachers) Effective June 13, 2025-August 29, 2025

Ms. Wheeler  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to allow the superintendent to hire staff without board approval for the summer (June 13 through August 29, 2025).  All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Nomination of Probationary Administrators

The Superintendent then shared lists of the probationary administrators moving from second year to continuing contract. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to accept the nominations for probationary administrators year two to continuing contract. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Superintendent Beauvais shared lists of the probationary administrators moving from first year to second year.  Ms. Herlihy  made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler  to accept the nominations for probationary administrators. All members voted in favor except Ms. Basko and Mr. Tabor and the motion passed. 

Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy to table agenda items 8, 9, 10

Employment:

New Hire:

Christina Brown- NBES Pre-K Teacher and has a degree from the University of Maine. 

Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to approve Ms. Brown.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

Sarah Dewhurst- NBES Pre-K 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. Dewhurst.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

Mikayla Donovan- Vivian Hussey School  Pre-K Teacher and has a degree from Wheaton College. Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms Wheeler to approve Ms. Donovan.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.  

Hannah Baxer- Hanson School Grade 2  Teacher and  has a degree from Boston University. Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to approve Ms. Baxer.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Dr. Melissa Kleinschmidt- District Librarian and has her degree from  University of  New Hampshire. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve Ms. Baxer.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Resignation:

Elizabeth Jolly, Principal North Berwick Elementary School. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve the resignation of Ms. Jolly. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Retirement:

Deb Gardell- Music Teacher Lebanon Elementary Schools. Thank you for 38 years of employment with MSAD 60. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to approve the retirement resignation of Ms. Gardell with thanks and congratulations and regrets. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Superintendent Update: 

Noble Adult and Community Education Graduation. She noted that it was a very special night. 

Tomorrow night is the Noble High School Graduation.

Noble Intermediate School is the name that the students have chosen for the former Noble Middle School. 

Step up days throughout the district occurred over the past two weeks and they were very well received (and those third graders love the lockers at the Knowlton School)!

Northeast Regional Positive Behavioral Interventions System have honored us with a commendation for achieving district wide Silver Status! 

July 17th board meeting we’d like to start at 3:30 for the board workshop and then the regular board meeting will begin at 7 pm. 

Other:  

Ms. Herlihy noted that she has spent some time in the schools recently: 

3rd graders at the Hussey School step up day at ELKS. She noted that the vibe was very  positive. She also attended a field trip and notes that the Tour guides said that our 3rd graders were the best that we had ever had (Estuary) 

$35,000 was raised by the Muddy Mile fundraiser! Very impressive!

Ms. Janousek remarked on the NACE graduation as well and how meaningful the ceremony is for all who attend. 

She noted the 3rd grade celebration was well received at NBES. 

She also noted that the Parent Teacher Organizations throughout the district will now be working together to address the needs of the  PK-6 community. 

She then noted that the Noble High School student council put on a carnival last Sunday at Noble High School… Free Family Fun… It was really well organized and well attended!

Public Input:

Mr. James Duprie of Lebanon, asked about the auditors report. 

Executive Session 1 MRSA §405(6)(A)  Employment 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) Employment of Officials/Appointees/ Employees. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 8:27 pm. Out at 8:38 pm.

Adjournment: 

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

Adjourned at 8:38 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Audra Beauvais