Maine Academy of Natural Sciences
Minutes
MeANS' Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday October 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Location
Maine Academy of Natural Sciences
13 Easler Road
Hinckley, ME 04944
Directors Present
A. Perkins, D. Gram, E. Pariser, G. Bazakas, G. Lichterfeld, M. Callan, M. Harris, M. Oben, N. Findlan, W. King
Directors Absent
K. Case, L. Karter
Guests Present
A. Boudreau, P. Henyan, R. Anthony
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance
C.
Additions/Adjustments to the Agenda
D.
Public Comment
None.
E.
Staff/Student Presentation: Common Ground Fair
None - Student could not attend. We are hoping to re-schedule.
II. Consent Agenda (Action requested by approval of Consent Agenda)
A.
Approval of Meeting Minutes from September 11, 2025 Board Meeting
None.
B.
Approval of Committee Reports
None.
III. Action Items
A.
Discuss MeANS' 2025-26 School Level Goals
Ryan Anthony, Head of School
-Staff gathered notes on what to work on this year, and came up with three goals:
1. Academics: Focusing on student performance ELA, Math, and project-based learning.
2. School Climate: Strengthening restorative justice practices - proactive and reactive.
3. Attendance: Helping get kids consistently at school - goal of 90% attendance this year.
-Staff are going to track our goals throughout the year as each staff member is a part of one of the three goal groups.
B.
Discuss MeANS' 2025-26 Board Level Goals
Mary Callan
-The Executive Committee met last week to discuss.
*In Feb. going to talk about forming a smaller group to figure out how to establish our new goals from June 2026-on. but these are the goals as of now:
1. Marketing - Are we recruiting the right people?
2. Financial Sustainability - Strategy to achieve financial stability.
3. Curriculum - What is being done in the classroom and intensives.
*We may stay with the same goals.
C.
Financial Update: Enrollment Numbers/Revised Budget
*Final Number of Students = 178.
*Budget Number = 185.
-Down 7 students.
-The Finance Committee will need to revise the 3-year budget.
-We will have Action Items related to this ready for the next Board Meeting.
D.
Request for Board Review - ESEA Equipment Management Policy
Mary Callan
-Ashley sent out the policy draft - this is required.
-Does everyone agree to waive the first reading?
None.
IV. Information Sharing
A.
CRCS Request To Move Update
Emanuel Pariser
*They withdrew their request to move to Waterville.
B.
HOS Report/Panorama Results
Ryan Anthony - HOS Report/Update
-Our staff has done a wonderful job showing up for kids, working hard after school during our MTSS meetings, etc.
-Going to have Student Leader elections soon.
-We have finalized enrollment for this year, but the work for next year will start in a month or two.
-Students are wrapping up fall intensives tomorrow - have been going on field trips and working on their projects/presentations for tomorrow's showcase.
-Assessments and Harvest Week next week - different events, theme days, Harvest Fest/Craft Fair and Dance on 10/18.
Panorama Update
-End of the year survey asking questions from families, students, and teachers - school climate, academics, safety, relationships, etc.
-Exceeding in 80% of areas and meeting in every area.
-One of our goals will be giving more feedback and coaching to staff.
C.
Board Google Drive Access
Mary Callan
-We have a Shared Drive for the Board now and everyone on the Board has access.
-There are separate folders for each Committee, as well as other folders with other board documents.
-Board Manual has PD stuff in it.
D.
PD Schedule For The Board
Mary Callan
-Board Manual has PD stuff in it in the new Google Drive.
V. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
None.
None.