MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF May 5, 2022
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person in North Berwick, Maine on May 5, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. with all members attending except Ms. Hopper, Mr. Doiron and Ms. Mallett. Ms. Manley, and Ms. Travers were remote, all others were present in person.
The vice chair shared the public input statement.
Public Input: Deanna Ryan of Cathedral Lane in Berwick shared with the board her concern regarding the elevated lead levels in the district. She shared her concerns regarding the lead levels and wanted to know what the safety plan and the action plan for the reduction of lead in our water systems for our children was going to be.
The board then reviewed the Minutes of April 7, 2022. Ms. Lovejoy made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Stanton to approve the minutes of April 7, 2022. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The board then heard from Jennifer Conners of Runyon Kersteen Ouellette, the district auditing firm, who shared a financial overview for FY 2021. The district was given a full clean audit for all tested areas.
Ms. Brigitte Dumont, Ms. Sarah Abbott and Ms. Rachel Whitehead presented to the board regarding the Noble Virtual Middle School. Ms. Dumont gave a quick overview of the whys
and the focus on project based learning.
Financial Summary: Ms. Denise Van Campen, business manager, shared the financial summary for the month of April.
Title 20-A Section 1485(4) Authorization to Transfer Funds. Ms. Mallett made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Manley. Pursuant to section 1485(4) of Title 20-A, the Superintendent of Schools be authorized to transfer not more than 5% of the total appropriation for any cost center in the current fiscal year operating budget to another cost center or among other cost centers, provided that the total current fiscal year operating budget shall not be increased by such transfers. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The superintendent presented Mr. AJ Dufort as our nomination for principal of Noble High School for the 22/23 school year. Ms. Lovejoy made the motion and was seconded by Ms. Mallett to approve Mr. AJ Dufort as principal of Noble High School
The superintendent presented Ms. Tina Harding as our nomination for principal of the Hussey School for the 22/23 school year. Ms. Lovejoy made the motion and was seconded by Ms. Mallett to approve Ms. Tina Harding as principal of the Hussey School.
The superintendent presented three lists of teachers. One moving from probationary 1 status to probationary 2 status. One moving from Probationary 2 status to continuing contract and one moving from probationary 3 status to continuing contract. Ms. Mallett made the motion and it was seconded by Ms.Lovejoy to approve the lists as presented. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Employment
The superintendent shared the resignation of Mr. Tim Protzmann, math teacher at NHS. Ms. Mallett made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to accept the resignation of Mr. Protzmann. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The superintendent shared the resignation of Ms. Olivia Moore, ss teacher at NHS. Ms. Mallett made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to accept the resignation of Ms. Moore. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The superintendent shared the resignation of Ms. Taryn Frizzell, nurse at Lebanon Elementary Schools. Ms. Mallett made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to accept the resignation of Ms. Frizzell. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The superintendent shared the resignation of Ms. Kerry Dunnington, Kindergarten Teacher at the Hanson School. Ms. Mallett made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to accept the resignation of Ms. Dunnington. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The superintendent shared the resignation of Ms. Megan Singleton, speech pathologist in Berwick. Ms. Mallett made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to accept the resignation of Ms. Singleton. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The superintendent shared the resignation of Ms. Kelly Litwenitz, school psychological service provider at NMS. Ms. Mallett made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to accept the resignation of Ms. Litwinetz. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The superintendent shared the retirement of Ms. Kathleen Campbell, elementary teacher in North Berwick after 40 years in education. Ms. Mallett made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to accept the resignation of Ms. Campbell with gratitude. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Other Business:
Graduation is on June 10th. The plan is for an outdoor graduation.
Superintendent Beauvais will be at the May 17th North Berwick Selectman meeting to present the FY’23 budget. May 19th we have invited the Lebanon Selectman to meet with us in Lebanon at 6 pm prior to our own board meeting. Finally, May 24th Ms Beauvais will tentatively meet with the Berwick Selectman.
Educational Update;
Staff attendance for April 25-May 5, 2022 ranged from 90% to 100%.
Student attendance ranged from 90 % to 98%. All very strong.
Other:
Ms. Hagenbuch asked about Athletics fields follow up and placing information on the district website.
Ms. Neubert asked about follow ups regarding the lead levels in the district water supplies. We are waiting for results from the further testing that was completed and will be developing a strategic plan from there. More to follow.
Ms. Stanton made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to go into executive session pursuant to 1M.R.S.A§405(6)(A) Evaluation of Officials/Appointees/Employees. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 8:40 pm. Out at 9:19 pm
Ms. Mallett made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to adjourn the meeting. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Adjourned at 9:20 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Audra Beauvais