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RSU 23 board approves several hires and a private PFML insurance substitution; readies June 10 budget referendum
Summary
At its May 15 meeting, the RSU 23 school board approved multiple personnel hires and unanimously approved substituting a private insurance plan for PFML under 26 M.R.S.A. §850‑H; board members also heard facilities and finance updates and noted the June 10 budget referendum date.
The RSU 23 School Board on May 15 approved several personnel moves and unanimously voted to allow a private insurance plan to substitute for Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) coverage under 26 M.R.S.A. §850‑H, ahead of a June 10 budget referendum.
At the start of the meeting at Old Orchard Beach Town Hall, Craig Evans called the board to order and the board approved the April 17, 2025 minutes on a motion by Santino Perrone and a second from Barbara Roberge. Superintendent John Suttie announced staff changes, saying that Natalie Flynn and Shelby Gilleo are leaving the district and that longtime employee John Nye is retiring after 35 years; Suttie said of Nye, "He showed up with almost perfect attendance and used many moments as teaching moments. Thank you for your efforts, years and work. He will be very difficult to replace."
The board approved the acceptance of new hires Olivia Hamilton and Cassandra McKiel, and approved motions to accept probationary teachers and continuing teachers. Motions were moved and seconded by board members and recorded as approved "all in favor."
Eric Hanson spoke to the board about the district's PFML coverage options. Following his remarks, Peter Flaherty moved and Santino Perrone seconded a motion to authorize the substitution of a private insurance plan for PFML insurance pursuant to 26 M.R.S.A. §850‑H; the motion passed with "all in favor." The minutes record the motion and citation but do not provide implementation details—such as the insurer selected, effective date, or which employee groups are covered.
Barbara Roberge read the first reading of several policies related to facilities and meeting broadcasts, including BEDJ (Broadcasting/Taping/Recording of Board Meetings), FA (Facilities Development Goals/Priority Objectives), FB (Facilities Planning), FD (Facilities Funding and Construction), FEA (Educational Specifications for Construction), and FFA (Memorials). The minutes note the first readings but do not record votes on policy adoption.
Donna Moutsatsos, reporting for the Building Needs Committee, listed planned summer projects: a completed high school pavilion, aeration and seeding of fields, window and door improvements at the middle school, painted pickup/drop‑off lane markings, paving of a middle‑school–to–Jameson walkway, and forthcoming fence repairs. Peter Flaherty said the Finance Committee reviewed a monthly budget update from Jason DiDonato and that revenues and expenditures are tracking roughly as expected; he added that teacher‑contract negotiations are ongoing and could require mediation if no agreement is reached.
Superintendent Suttie reviewed upcoming dates: a regional budget meeting the coming Monday at 6 p.m., the district budget referendum on Tuesday, June 10 (the ballot will contain only the school budget), an OOBHS spring concert on May 21, the RSU 23 senior citizen dinner on May 22, Special Olympics events on May 23 at Regina Field, an LMS production also on May 23, and the last student day on June 12. The board set its next meeting for Wednesday, June 11 at 6 p.m.
Votes at a glance • Approval of April 17, 2025 minutes — mover: Santino Perrone; seconder: Barbara Roberge; outcome: approved ("all in favor"). • Hire — Olivia Hamilton — mover: Donna Moutsatsos; seconder: Barbara Roberge; outcome: approved ("all in favor"). • Hire — Cassandra McKiel — mover: Santino Perrone; seconder: Peter Flaherty; outcome: approved ("all in favor"). • Acceptance of probationary teachers — mover: Santino Perrone; seconder: Barbara Roberge; outcome: approved ("all in favor"). • Acceptance of continuing teachers — mover: Santino Perrone; seconder: Donna Moutsatsos; outcome: approved ("all in favor"). • PFML private‑plan substitution pursuant to 26 M.R.S.A. §850‑H — mover: Peter Flaherty; seconder: Santino Perrone; outcome: approved ("all in favor"). • Adjournment — mover: Santino Perrone; seconder: Barbara Roberge; outcome: approved ("all in favor").
The minutes record unanimous approval language for motions but do not provide roll‑call tallies or indicate whether the superintendent voted. The minutes also do not specify contract terms for the private PFML plan or the specific personnel positions for the newly hired names. The board adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
