Minutes of September 3, 2026
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF September 3, 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.)
Executive Session Pursuant to 1M.R.S.A. §405(6)(B) Readmission of a Student
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)(B) Readmission of a Student. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 6:05 pm. Out at 6:42 pm.
Ms. Tasker made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Cyr to reinstate the student under consideration. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Executive Session Pursuant to 1M.R.S.A. §405(6)(B) Readmission of a Student
Ms. Whalen made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Cyr to go into executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(B) Readmission of a Student. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 6:47 pm. Out at 6:57 pm.
Ms. Tasker made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to reinstate the student under consideration. 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 September 3, 2026 at 7:00pm with all members attending in person.
There were 5 in the audience.
Ms. Basko made a motion and it was seconded by Mr. DeCato to remove one of the executive sessions originally planned for earlier in the session. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Cyr made a motion and it was seconded by Mr. DeCato to add an agenda item for acceptance of a donation. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Pledge of Allegiance
Ms. Cyr read the public input statement.
Public Input:
No public input at this point.
Minutes of August 13, 2026
Ms. Tasker made the motion and it was seconded by Ms Basko to accept the minutes of August 13, 2026 as presented. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
School District Opening 2026 and Enrollment
The Superintendent shared the current enrollments of this date: 2714 we are down from last year 2747.
Opening day: Several open houses have occurred up to this point. All were well attended and were very positive. Several more will conclude next week.
We have close to 300 athletes enrolled in fall sports and competitions start next week.
Update on the parking at ELKS
Flow of the buses has been smoothed out between ELKS and NIS.
Please keep in mind that we need drivers and that the transportation team is working hard.
Public Input Statement Discussion
There was discussion about the public input statement and how to summarize it for the meetings. The board discussed the best way to handle providing the public input statement and being sure that it reflected the policy.
Ms. Cyr made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy that the public input bulleted summary statement be placed on the board meeting agenda for the meetings and also have an electronic sign in at the podium with the public input policy referenced. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
MSAD 60 School Board Goals
The Superintendent reviewed with the board the updates on the board goals and they are noted in the plan. There was positive discussion regarding what has been accomplished and constructive conversation about what is needing to be improved.
Facilities Community Forum Discussion
The Assistant Superintendent updated the board regarding the September 17th open forum regarding the Facilities Advisory Committee and the structure of the committee going forward.
Here’s the invitation: Facilities Committee Invitation
Policy Third Reading
JICJ Possession or Use of Cellular Phones and other Electronic Communication Devices
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Cyr to approve policy JICJ Possession or Use of Cellular Phones and other Electronic Communication Devices as amended. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Employment:
New Hires:
Shilo Fiel, Hanson Gr 2 Classroom Teacher, Master of Education Lesley University. Ms. Tasker made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Whalen to approve Ms. Fiel. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Kennedy Webber, Hussey School Kindergarten Teacher, Bachelor of Education University of Maine Augusta. Ms. Tasker made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to approve Ms. Webber. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Eve Lessard, Knowlton School Gr 4 Teacher, Bachelor of Elementary Education University of Southern Maine. Ms. Tasker made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to approve Ms. Lessard. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Heather Laviolette, Hussey School Kindergarten Teacher, Master of Education Franklin Pierce College. Ms. Tasker made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to approve Ms. Laviolette. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Bridget Marvin-NMHS Special Education Teacher, Bachelors of Arts Stonehill College. Ms. Tasker made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Basko to approve Ms. Marvin. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Resignation:
Mr. Kevin Moore shared his retirement letter. Ms. Herlihy made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Cyr to accept the resignation of Mr. Moore, Facilities Director, with regret and congratulations! All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Jaymie Frazier-Noble Intermediate School Music Teacher. Ms. Tasker made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy to accept the resignation. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Crystal Childress-North Berwick Elementary School Gr 3. Mr. DeCato made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Tasker to accept the resignation. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Superintendent Update:
The Superintendent updated the board on the current process for hiring the Facilities Director position. There were over 130 candidates and we are setting up interviews with the hope of getting a successful candidate on board soon.
Ms. Whalen made a motion and it was seconded to accept a $1000 donation from J. Lapierre toward the site work for putting in a swing set at the Noble Intermediate School. All members voted in favor with appreciation.
Other:
Ms. Basko asked about a transportation update.
Ms. Basko also asked to get the presentation from the Literacy updates.
Ms. Janousek asked about potential transportation switches.
Ms. Tasker shared that she had the privilege to be at the Hussey School the past few mornings and shared the excitement of the kids and parents and positivity.
Public Input:
None at this time.
Executive Session Pursuant to 1M.R.S.A. §405(6)(D) Labor Contract Discussion Transportation
Ms. Cyr made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Janousek to go into executive session pursuant to
Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(D) Labor Contract Discussion Transportation. In at 8:56 pm. Out at 9:39 pm.
Executive Session 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A) Evaluation of Employee:
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy to go into executive session pursuant to Executive Session 1 MRSA 405§(6)(A) Evaluation of Employee. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 9:39 pm. Out at 9:41 pm.
Executive Session Pursuant to 1M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A)Evaluation of Appointees:
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy 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 9:41 pm. Out at 9:55 pm
Adjournment
Ms. Janousek made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Herlihy to adjourn. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. Adjourned at 9:58pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Audra Beauvais
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