RSU 23 board approves three new hires and 2020–21 stipend list; hears reopening plan

RSU 23 board members on June 29 approved three new high‑school teaching hires and the district’s 2020–2021 stipend list and heard a presentation on the district’s school reopening plan as officials continue planning for the 2020–21 school year amid the COVID‑19 pandemic.

The meeting opened at 5:00 p.m.; Dave Boudreau called the session to order, read the Title 37B statement and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Board member Michelle Violette moved to accept the minutes of the May 21 and June 10, 2020 meetings; Christopher LaSalle seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call (M. Violette, C. LaSalle, P. Flaherty, S. Beatty and D. Boudreau).

Board Chair Dave Boudreau opened a remote public hearing on the proposed district budget and asked for questions or comments from the public; no one spoke. "Go vote," Boudreau said after the hearing closed, encouraging community participation in the referendum.

Superintendent John Suttie thanked faculty, staff, students, parents and the broader community for their efforts at the end of the school year and said the district sent an end‑of‑year survey seeking feedback on what worked and what did not during pandemic‑era schooling. Suttie and Eric Hanson presented RSU 23’s School Reopening Plan; the meeting transcript notes the presentation but does not record plan details and refers viewers to the meeting video for the full presentation.

On personnel, board member Peter Flaherty moved, and Christopher LaSalle seconded, to approve three hires for the high school: Tony Lucchese as a high‑school math teacher, Rebecca Nyanutse as a high‑school/middle‑school French teacher and Natalie Skovran as a high‑school science teacher. The motion passed unanimously (roll call: M. Violette, C. LaSalle, S. Beatty, P. Flaherty, D. Boudreau).

Flaherty later moved, seconded by Sally Beatty, to approve the proposed 2020–2021 stipend list; that motion also passed unanimously.

Committee reports were brief: Dave Boudreau said the finance committee had not met and expected to convene in July to review preliminary numbers; Peter Flaherty reported building work underway; Christopher LaSalle said the technology committee did not meet and had no news.

Board members used the remarks section to thank staff and leaders for pandemic work. "I feel we are very fortunate to have you as the leader of our team at this point," board member Sally Beatty said to Superintendent Suttie. Michelle Violette welcomed new teachers and encouraged community members with voting concerns to contact John, Dave or Kim at town hall. Peter Flaherty reminded absentee voters to affix two stamps to their ballot envelopes so they will be delivered. Dave Boudreau congratulated graduating seniors and closed by urging the community to "stay tuned and stay healthy."

Christopher LaSalle moved to adjourn at 5:45 p.m.; Michelle Violette seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Minutes were prepared by Helene Stevens and respectfully submitted by Superintendent John Suttie.

Details on the board’s School Reopening Plan were not specified in the transcript; the presentation is recorded in the meeting video and the district indicated it will use survey feedback to refine plans for fall instruction.