Maine Academy of Natural Sciences
Minutes
MeANS' Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday January 8, 2026 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, W. King
Directors Absent
M. Oben, N. Findlan
Guests Present
A. Boudreau, A. Hyde, Danni Best, Elise Gudde, P. Henyan, R. Anthony
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance
C.
Additions/Adjustments to the Agenda
None.
D.
Public Comment
None.
E.
Staff/Student Presentation - Can We? Cohort
-Josh Cochran (12) and Zachary Korbet (11) giving a presentation on the Can We? Project.
-An organization that we are partnered with that teaches us to communicate with our peers about political issues, other issues going on./Different schools and students.
-Having meaningful discussions instead of debates.
-Talked about Collaborative Retreat.
-Teachers also do it with each other.
-Talked about why the experience mattered to them - teaches our school values, teaches skills like open communication and respect that students will need in the real world.
II. Consent Agenda (Action requested by approval of Consent Agenda)
A.
Approval of Meeting Minutes from November 13th, 2025 Board Meeting
None.
B.
Approval of Committee Reports
-Dianna and Galen's visit - Amazed at the teamwork on their visit.
III. Action Items
A.
Vote to Approve Proposed 27-29 3-Year Budget
-For the Charter Commission to use to forecast.
-Asking for Board Approval of the projected budget - in May we will vote on the actual budget.
B.
Adhoc Board Governance Committee
-Lost two Board Members this year.
-Mary talked to our Board OnTrack Executive coach, and we need an AdHoc Committee to work on recruiting new Board Members for next year - focusing on specific skill sets for what we need vs. merely people we know.
-Galen, Mary, Danni, and Ryan to work on - if anyone has suggestions, we are open. Mary is going to reach out to Cheryl Bulmer, former Board Chair.
C.
Board OnTrack Profiles
-Work on updating your skills, info., etc.
D.
Board Assessment
-Two assessments will inform Board where some of the skill gaps are.
E.
Adhoc Strategic Goals Committee
-Goals from the Board need to be revised.
-Ryan to help recruit staff for this.
-Greg and Martha will help with this.
IV. Information Sharing
A.
HOS Report
-It has been an action-packed fall.
-Focus on academics and mission-centered projects - Working together, restorative practices - school-wide and classroom.
-MFA Craft Night after school - hoping to take a more active role going forward.
-December Coffee House - Great chance to perform for kids and staff.
-Threshold Monday - Holiday Crafts/Swag making and soup kitchen visit.
-Two Threshold students graduated.
-Can We? Retreats - Two so far this year.
-Greenhouse sales - Danni and students.
-Ashley and Ryan brainstorming the 3-Year Budget we just approved.
-Working hard on enrollment - 5 or 6 school of choice visits coming up and our first Open House coming up this month.
-Hired a new IT Director.
-Mid. Year Charter Meeting on Monday - An informal conversation about how things are going for the school./Work for the renewal will start in May.
-Grant writing - Hoping to write a couple of grants this spring with the help of some staff.
-Hosting upcoming Open Houses and Shadow Days.
-We are in Winter Intensives right now - Survival, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Ice.
1 minute of reflection time - New Year!