Maine Academy of Natural Sciences
Minutes
MeANS' Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday September 10, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Directors Present
A. Perkins, E. Pariser, G. Bazakas, G. Lichterfeld (remote), M. Callan, M. Harris, N. Findlan, P. Duffy
Directors Absent
D. Gram, M. Oben, W. King
Guests Present
A. Boudreau, A. Hyde, E. Coleman (remote), 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 -
None.
II. Consent Agenda (Action requested by approval of Consent Agenda)
A.
Approval of Meeting Minutes from June 11th, 2026 Board Meeting
B.
Approval of Committee Reports
None.
C.
Approval of Vote - Board Vote on New Board Member Patty Duffy on 7/30/3036
Added as Member - Change Date to 7/30/2026.
III. Action Items
A.
First Reading of Special Ed. Policy
-We are heading into a Special Ed. Audit, and want to make sure we have the most up to date policies/procedures in place.
-Take month to review them and make any comments/Approve at next Board Meeting in October.
B.
First Reading of Revised HR Policies 300.01-300/Second Reading of 200's
-Need Motion to Approve the 200's.
Approve 200's
-9/17 Meeting on 300's if anyone has comments on 300's.
C.
Vote to Accept 3 Year Strategic Goals
None.
D.
Charter Renewal Preparation
-Charter Renewal Process - What is left?
*9/23 - Public Hearing - Get current families, alumni families, alumni, legislators, former Board Members, former Staff members, businesses, etc. (Someone filming this to show what the school does?)/People can also submit written testimonies by 9/30.
*9/28 - Review the Report.
*9/30 - Respond on Report.
*10/13 - Charter Commission votes/delivers their decision.
-Ryan - We are in a great place/great visit with Charter Commission here at the school - toured the campus, met with families, students, and staff. They also identified our areas of growth, which we already knew.
E.
Vote to Approve 3-Year Financial Plan
None.
IV. Information Sharing
A.
Board PD Sessions 2026-27
-Mary will get out a survey for topics members are interested in doing this year.
B.
Head of School Report
-Checking in with every Staff member to start the year - Vey positive space!
-Talked about our goals for the year at our first In-Service - Improving Attendance, stronger Academic expectations.
-Enrollment - Fully enrolled in Campus 9th, 12th, and Threshold program!
-Packed house both orientation nights. Hoping for a strong number on 10/1.
-2 more AP classes being offered this year - we now have all the core subjects covered for AP.
-We are more prepared than last year.
-We are down 1 Special Ed. Teacher on Campus/1 Ed. Tech. on Maternity Leave/Down 2 Bus Drivers - Working on filling in the gaps for now; (Transportation positions are our biggest challenge right now.)
-Subbing - If you know anyone!/We have one right now, but she is covering on a steady basis.
-Looking forward to this fall...a lot! Our first Community Learning Day next Monday, Threshold Monday, Common Ground Fair, Fall Intensives/Showcase, Charter Renewal Finalization, Harvest Week/Fall Testing/Harvest Fest.
C.
Charter Renewal Update
Already discussed.
D.
Board Membership Update
-FYI - We have concluded the work for the committee to get a few new board members.
-Board and staff combo. working on recruiting members was valuable/recommend to Executive Committee to keep this going.
-Becky Grant coming to board in October.
-Thinking ahead about Board Members who are leaving at the end of the year.
None.