Minutes of September 4, 2025

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING OF September 4, 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 on September 4, 2025 at 7:00 pm with all members attending except Ms. Herlihy who was remote.

There were 3 members of the public present. 

Pledge of Allegiance

The Vice Chair, Ms. Wheeler, read the public input statement. 

Public Input: None at this time

Minutes: 

Ms. Wheeler made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Cyr to accept the minutes of August 21, 2025 as amended. All members voted in favor except Mr. Tabor and Ms. Basko who abstained and the motion passed.

School District Opening 2025/ Enrollment 

The Superintendent noted that we have had several open houses and will have several more next week.  Turn outs have been very high at the open house, very positive participation. 

Pre K started on Tuesday.  Things are going very well. The State Dept. came in today and were very impressed with how well things are running this early in the program.  The Middle School integrated into the high school smoothly.  Transportation is challenging particularly with every route being reconfigured this school year and the ongoing driver shortage.  All are working hard to meet the needs of our students.  

We need to pay appreciation to our Technology, Custodians, Transportation and all staff for their incredible support and hard work over the summer to get this all done for the opening of schools with the reconfiguration. 

Student enrollment was shared (Please insert enrollment document here). 

Total District Enrollment: 2,795 students (down 37 from previous year)

• PreK: 89

• Elementary (K-5): 1,294 students

• Middle (6-8): 629 students

• High School (9-12): Grade-specific numbers provided

Board Goals

The Superintendent gave an overview of the 2025 board goals and where we are in meeting those goals. 

Pathways to Success - Academic Achievement

High Quality Resources - Staffing

Facilities

Curriculum & Safety

Community Engagement

Employment: None at this time.

Superintendent Update: 

The superintendent reviewed the policy for visitors in the school and how that applies to school board members. The board had a conversation regarding the procedures. This will go forward to the policy committee. 

Other: 

Ms. Sewell asked about the Multiple Pathways program and how the program works. We shared a link to the program overview on the website: https://www.nhs.rsu60.org/aboutmultiplepathways

Ms. Herlihy wanted to note that despite recent tragic events and the horrifying nature of school violence that receives significant media coverage, students today are statistically safer in public schools than they have ever been - they're less likely to be victims of violent crime than in previous decades, including the 1990s. While we must continue monitoring and addressing these issues, the increased attention and security measures have made schools safer than ever for our children. Ms. Wheeler noted that this may be true, but the number one cause of death for kids in this country is gun violence. 

Mr. Tabor made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Sewell to have all information provided to the board with the agenda when there is a presentation to be shared with the board at a meeting. There was discussion regarding the feasibility of this request and how it can be problematic.  Ms. Sewell suggested that we provide hard copies of the presentations when they are available.  Ms. Herlihy noted that if there needs to be more conversation regarding information then we can provide more time at the following meeting. There was a discussion regarding learning styles and allowing us to provide the presentation within the right context. We discussed allowing the presentation to be made with context, clarifying questions to be made, and then following up at the next meeting. Mr. Tabor and Ms. Sewell then rescinded their motion. 

Public Input:

Mr. Shawn Works of North Berwick, asked for a more proactive approach to communication to help cut down the chatter and misunderstandings regarding school issues and circumstances. We will add that to our goals. 

Mr. Kevin Jessell, Berwick Maine, spoke about the "Noble Board Revealed" social media page allegedly run by multiple board members. While claiming transparency, he argued it's being used for targeted political attacks. He stated that having multiple people write under one identity is unprofessional and sets a terrible example for staff and students. Jessel believes any district employee engaging in personal attacks on social media should face dismissal.

He requested pupil spending comparisons to other York County communities from the superintendent. Jessel announced that over the next two years, he will use his own funds and time to ensure all three towns know these numbers through posters, brochures, and mailings. He acknowledged the board has done well with budgets for 15 years and believes this information could change the rhetoric and conversation. Mr. Jessel  declared that Mr. Tabor should not be reelected and wished he would resign. 

Several board members did speak to the name of Noble Board Revealed and asked for Mr. Tabor and Ms. Sewell to rename the page so that it was more clearly articulated that this is NOT a MSAD 60 school board sanctioned page.

Adjournment: 

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

Adjourned at 9:28 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Audra Beauvais