Minutes of November 20, 2025

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF November 20, 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.)

A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person at Noble Middle and High School on November 20, 2025 at 7:00 pm with all members attending. Ms. Herlihy was remote. 

There were 25 in the audience. 

Pledge of Allegiance

Mr. Tabor made a motion and it was seconded by Ms. Sewell to add an agenda item for the board's consideration to pause work with Carrie Thurston, her associates and her LLC until the board has reviewed her performance and all work with Thurston LLC. All members voted thus: in favor except Ms. Tasker, Ms. Janousek, Ms. Wheeler and Ms. Whalen and the motion passed 5-4. 

Mr. Tabor made a motion and it was seconded by Ms. Sewell  to add an agenda item to bring forward a list of individuals in the community who have the expertise to be part of the.  All members voted in favor except Ms. Tasker, Ms. Cyr, Ms. Janousek, Ms. Wheeler and Ms Whalen and the motion failed. 

Mr. Tabor made a motion and it was seconded by Ms. Sewell to add to the agenda an opportunity to discuss scheduling a workshop with the Harriman representatives regarding the Harriman report.  All members voted in favor except Ms. Tasker, Ms. Cyr, Ms. Janousek, Ms. Wheeler and Ms Whalen and the motion failed. 

Public Input: 

The Vice Chair read the public input statement. 

Ms. Christina Brown of Berwick shared input regarding the Pre K program. 

Minutes: 

Ms. Basko made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Wheeler to accept the minutes of November 6, 2025.  All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Update New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Visit: Presented by Principal Dufort and Assistant Principal Kearney shared an overview of the recent NEASC process. NEASC: Review & Self Reflection Approval

Financial Summary October 2025

Ms. Denise Van Campen, Business Manager, shared with the board the financial summary for the General Fund as of October 31, 2025. Board members asked some clarifying questions and Ms. Van Campen responded.

Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms.?  to allow the district to dispose of the three buses by scrapping them rather than put them out to bid. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Pre K Follow Up

Dr. Swiger shared with the board an overview of conversations with the Pre K teachers regarding the benefits of full day vs. half day programming. 

Ms. Herlihy left the meeting. 

Ms. Adams, Director of Special Education, shared an update regarding the upcoming need for CDS students coming to the public schools by FY 28 and discussed programming needs. 

Ms Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to continue the public Pre K program into FY 27 as it currently exists with room for more discussion regarding adding a half day and/or the special education programming.  All members voted in favor except Ms. Sewell, Ms. Basko and Mr. Tabor. The motion passed 5-3. 

Lebanon Elementary School Follow Up

Mr. Neil Rapoza of Civil Consultants gave an overview of the comparisons of the Harriman Study to the Civil Consultants review that was done in 2022 and updated this year.  The board had a robust discussion. 

Employment:

Resignation

Shaylene Wallace-Borden, Social Worker Noble Intermediate School/ Hanson. Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Tabor  to approve the resignation of Ms. Wallace-Borden. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. 

Superintendent Update:

Mr. David Vargas, School Nutrition Director,  has been chosen by the state of Maine to attend the National Legislative Action Conference in Washington DC as its representative. 

The Athletics Wall of Honor inducted its first group this past Saturday, November 15th. 

The board chair will add an executive session to the December meeting regarding Ms. Thurston. 

The Patriotic Concert occurred Tuesday evening, November 18th and was well attended. Parent Conferences also occurred and were well attended. 

The Food Drive for the Backpack Program is continuing until Nov. 21st, 2025.

Other 

Public Input:

Austin Evans of North Berwick shared his positive experiences for his daughter in Pre K. 

Adjournment: 

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

Adjourned at 10:31 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Audra Beauvais