Maine Academy of Natural Sciences
Minutes
MeANS' Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday May 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Directors Present
A. Perkins, D. Gram, G. Bazakas, K. Patnode (remote), L. Karter (remote), M. Harris, R. Dodge, W. King
Directors Absent
E. Brown, M. Callan
Guests Present
A. Boudreau, A. Hyde, E. Coleman, E. Pariser, Grace Hilmer, P. Henyan
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance
C.
Additions/Adjustments to the Agenda
D.
Public Comment
None.
E.
HOS Search Committee Update
-The Search Committee has a recommendation to the Board - Ryan Anthony.
-Formal vote later in the meeting.
F.
Welcome to New Prospective Board Members
-Potential new board members attended tonight - Nancy Finland, Emanuel Pariser, Galen Lichterfield (Class of 2014), and Mackenzie (Class of 2014.)
G.
Staff Presentations - Student Participation on HOS Search Committee and College Visits
-Evan and Julian Moreno (11th grade student).
-GEAR UP Maine Rise - Partners with us and other rural, low-income areas in the state.
-Work with kids about going to college, how to get Financial Aid/funds, college visits, etc.
-Julian talked about the College Road trip he went on a couple of weeks ago, and how beneficial it was and is for students to actually go to college campuses to see what they offer for themselves.
-MeANS was the most represented high school on the trip, even though we were the smallest.
-GEAR UP is up for potential cut by Federal Gov't - Call to action push to save it.
II. Consent Agenda (action requested by Approval of Consent Agenda)
A.
Approve Minutes from 03.13.25 Meeting
None.
B.
Committee Reports
Anna - Always a pleasure to visit.
III. Action Items
A.
Accept FY2024 Audit Reports from Berry Dunn
-They gave MeANS a clean opinion.
-No difficulties working with MeANS staff.
None.
B.
Approve FY2024 Q4 Financial Reports
-Did well at the end of last year.
None.
C.
Approve FY2026 Operating Budget, as recommended by the Finance Committee
-Cost of the building conversations with GWH - rent.
-First time we have taken a longer look at our financial future so we can get closer to a balanced budget.
-Change in federal rate a concern.
-Emanuel - Does it make sense to create a back-up budget?
-Other funding risks; (other than the Federal?)
-Out of district placement also a concern.
D.
Approve School Year 2025-26 Calendar
-Evan - We have found a good rhythm with keeping things consistent with our calendar - intensives, breaks, etc.
-Next year is very similar to this year.
None.
E.
Approve the Hiring of Ryan Anthony (Subject to the Acceptance of a Written Offer Letter)
None.
IV. Information Sharing
A.
Co-Leader (Head of School) Reports
-Pat - Two new teachers have accepted Threshold Teacher positions.
-Still in the process of hiring a Social Studies teacher for Campus.
-New Custodian.
-We are on pace for a 185 Enrollment number. Things have slowed because we are in the process of going down the lottery list/waitlist.
-We are moving through Campus student interviews - things are going well there.
-No concerns about enrollment.
-Evan - HOS Search process was a positive one - strong candidates/strong ones in hiring other positions as well.
-We are very busy right now - spring assessments, SLC week, field trips, capstones, speeches, graduation, prom, summer intensives, summer celebration, etc.
B.
IRS Form 990 Update
-Ashley - The form was filed for this year.
C.
Update on Status of LD 1571 (and possibly other bills) - re: Teacher Certification, etc.
-LD 1571 - Any teacher hired by a charter school needs to have a current teacher certificate.
-MeANS has one teacher who will work on re-certification for the upcoming school year.
-LD 282 - Limit on number of charter schools in Maine to 9. (There are 9, and 1 more has been approved.)
-Community Regional Charter School to move to Waterville, possibly.
-Bill for Charter Schools to move within a radius of other Charter Schools?
-Thanked potential new Board Members for coming, and next month's Board Meeting (6/12) we will vote on their nominations.
V. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
None.
-Approve hiring the new HOS.
-Information Sharing - Change in Charter Schools.