Minutes of October 1, 2026
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF October 1, 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.)
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held in person at Noble Middle and High School on October 1, 2026 at 7:00pm with all members attending in person except Ms. Whelan and Ms. Cyr.
There were 13 in the audience.
Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda Addition
Mr. Decato made a motion and Ms. Basko seconded the motion about biological boys participating in girls sports. The motion failed with three in favor and four opposed.
Public Input:
Ms. Wheeler read the public input statement. There is an iPad to sign in.
Mr. Matthew Leggett (Lebanon) - First amendment concerns
Shared court rulings sharing ability to be critical at board meetings
Concerned about biological males playing female sports
Ms. Jennifer Alix (Lebanon) - School bus driver in the district
Voters approved $300,000 for salary improvements
Porta Potties were placed at the transportation center which feels very
disrespectful
Minutes of September 3, 2026
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Sewell to accept the minutes of September 3, 2026 as presented. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. (7-0)
Minutes of September 17, 2026
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Sewell to accept the minutes of September 17, 2026 as presented. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. (7-0)
Nomination of Delegate of Assembly
The Board Chair asked for a volunteer to be the annual delegate to the MSBA Assembly. The 2026 MSBA Delegate Assembly will be held via Zoom. It is set for Saturday, October 24, beginning at 9:30 a.m. A few board members said they will check their schedules to see if attendance is possible.
Donations:
The Eric Knowlton School has received a donation of an addition to its playground - The Tree Deck. The materials of the project cost $11,371.35 and 400 man hours were donated by Erek Johnson, an insured contractor, for the entirety of the project. The money used for this project was fundraised from multiple fundraisers, including the Muddy Mile. Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Decato to accept the donation with thanks. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Janousek asked a process question to align meetings to help projects to be completed in a timely manner. Also, wanted to ensure that the money raised stays with the project that it was intended for.
Ms. Sewell asked about approving these donations prior to building and purchasing. Moving forward that will be the plan.
The Vivian Hussey School has received a donation from the Berwick PTO to replace existing playground equipment. The donation is in the amount of $12,237.51. The money used for this project was fundraised from multiple fundraisers, including the Muddy Mile. Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Decato to accept the donation with thanks. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The MSAD 60 Backpack Program has received a donation from Drifter’s Ride for Hunger for $5,630. So appreciated! Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to accept the donation of $5,630 with thanks. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Janousek voted to add an agenda item to approve the $18,000 swing set for Noble Intermediate School. Ms. Tasker seconded adding to the agenda and all members voted in favor and the motion passed. The board decided to wait to have the exact numbers prior to approval. Ms. Sewell shared that we could have a brief zoom meeting to approve.
Lease Approvals
Technology Leases
Ms. Sewell asked why the documents were labeled revised. Ms. Basko asked a question about the amount of the technology lease. Ms. Van Campen shared that the amount of the lease will be less than the amount that was estimated for the budget.
Ms. Basko asked a question about transportation where $112,207 was budgeted and $102,141 was listed as the lease amount.
The board then reviewed the Technology Leases. Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy to:
October 1, 2026
Motion: I move that the Resolution entitled, “Resolution to Authorize Lease Purchase of New Technology Equipment in the Principal Amount of $484,693” be adopted in form presented to this meeting.
RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE LEASE PURCHASE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $484,693
The School Board of Maine School Administrative District No. 60 (the “District”) hereby resolves as follows:
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 $484,693 at an interest rate of 4.65% payable in three (3) annual installments and any prior such action is hereby ratified and confirmed;
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 $484,693, in such form and on such terms not inconsistent herewith as the Superintendent may approve (the “Lease”);
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;
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”);
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
That the District hereby resolves and declares its official intent pursuant to Section 1.150-2(e) of the Treasury Regulations that the District reasonably expects to use the proceeds of the Lease to reimburse certain original expenditures from the District’s general or other fund, paid not earlier than 60 days prior to adoption of this Resolution or to be paid, which original expenditures have been or will be incurred in connection with costs of the Equipment; and that the District reasonably expects that the maximum principal amount that the District will issue to finance the Equipment is $484,693, and further that an attested copy of this declaration of official intent be kept in the permanent records of the District; and
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. (7-0)
Transportation Lease Review
The board then reviewed the Transportation Leases. Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herihy to:
October 1, 2026
Motion: I move that the Resolution entitled, “Resolution to Authorize Lease Purchase of New Transportation Vehicles in the Principal Amount of $465,507” be adopted in form presented to this meeting.
RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE LEASE PURCHASE OF NEW TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $465,507
The School Board of Maine School Administrative District No. 60 (the “District”) hereby resolves as follows:
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 one (1) school bus, one (1) minibus, and four (4) Toyota Sienna vans with related equipment and accessories (the “Equipment”) in the principal amount of $465,507 at an interest rate of 4.76% payable in five (5) annual installments and any prior such action is hereby ratified and confirmed;
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 $465,507, in such form and on such terms not inconsistent herewith as the Superintendent may approve (the “Lease”);
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;
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”);
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
That the District hereby resolves and declares its official intent pursuant to Section 1.150-2(e) of the Treasury Regulations that the District reasonably expects to use the proceeds of the Lease to reimburse certain original expenditures from the District’s general or other fund, paid not earlier than 60 days prior to adoption of this Resolution or to be paid, which original expenditures have been or will be incurred in connection with costs of the Equipment; and that the District reasonably expects that the maximum principal amount that the District will issue to finance the Equipment is $465,507, and further that an attested copy of this declaration of official intent be kept in the permanent records of the District; and
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. (7-0)
MSAD 60 Emergency Management Plans
School safety plans have been submitted to the central office and the superintendent shared this with the board. The plans are kept specifically isolated to those that “need to know” as this is best practice in the safety field. The superintendent is obligated to inform the board that the safety plans have been updated annually and that they have been approved and signed off on by the emergency personnel in the towns (Fire Department and Police Departments). All plans from all the schools have met these requirements.
MSAD 60 School Board Goals
Yellow highlights are revised or updated goals.
Ms. Sewell asked about raising the percentages for math and literacy.
Ms. Sewell asked about quarterly reports for the new literacy and math programs and Ms. Beauvais shared that it was possible.
Ms. Wheeler proposed looking at the document and bringing questions forward to finalize at the next meeting.
Mr. Decato shared a desire to set high goals to attempt to reach.
Employment:
Resignation:
Lee-Ann Cammett- Transportation Director. Ms. Basko made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Decato to accept the resignation of Ms. Cammett. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Herlihy requested an exit interview due to this being an administrative position.
Superintendent Update:
Ms. Beauvais handed out a budget timeline document.
Ms. Janousek asked if the superintendent could present the budget at the Thursday, 2/25 meeting.
Ms. Herlihy asked if a one page document could be shared with major budget changes in late May.
Ms. Sewell asked if this could also be provided at the start of the process.
Ms. Basko asked to be aware of snow days and have a plan to ensure plenty of discussion.
Ms. Sewell asked if March meetings could begin at 6:00 pm.
Ms. Herlihy asked if a round table with administrators could happen in early March.
Duct detectors have caused the smoke alarm to go off multiple times over the last two weeks.
A Policy Committee meeting is needed. Can a virtual copy of the Legislative Update be provided?
Facilities Advisory Committee - Ms. Austin shared that 28 - 30 people have signed on to continue with the group. Lebanon Elementary and Mary Hurd Academy were a focus of the groups at the advisory meeting and this group will be making recommendations to the board.
Transportation - Ms. Austin shared that there is not a space for drivers to gather and the porta potties are not showing the respect for the drivers that we hope to display.
Ms. Wheeler asked if the board could tour the transportation center and the members agreed
At 6:15 pm on Thursday, 10/15 board members will be able to tour the transportation facility with a 6:30 start meeting back at the NMHS library.
Other:
Ms. Sewell shared concerns around transgender female students participating in contact sports against young women.
Mr. Decato asked a variety of questions about transgender student participation in athletics.
Public Input:
Mr. Tom Lavigne (unknown residence) - Would like Spotify to be unblocked. Also, he shared he reached out to the federal government to have an investigation about secret meetings being held.
Ms. Priscilla Forziati (North Berwick) - Feels the community is shut out from academic decisions. Concerns about not being required to follow the cell phone policy. Wonders if conversations have taken place with bus drivers or parents.
Executive Session Pursuant to 1M.R.S.A. §405(6)(D) Labor Contract Discussion Transportation
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Decato to go into executive session pursuant to
Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(D) Labor Contract Discussion Transportation. In at 8:51 pm. Out at 10:03 pm.
Executive Session Pursuant to 1M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A)Evaluation of Appointees:
Ms. Herlihy made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Tasker to go into executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(A) Evaluation of Appointees. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 10:04 pm. Out at 10:07 pm.
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 10:07 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Audra Beauvais
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