BOENov122019

Board of Education
November 12, 2019 – Regular Meeting
Colchester Elementary School Cafeteria
316 Halls Hill Road

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Brad Bernier, Vice Chair Chris McGlynn, Mary Tomasi, Amy
Domeika, Mitch Koziol, Mary Bylone, Jason Violette; Student Members Nick Janus and
Shannon Hickey.

MEMBERS ELECT: Sue Hickey, Jessica Morozowich.

ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Bacon Academy Principal Matt
Peel, William J. Johnston Middle School Principal Chris Bennett, Colchester Elementary School
Principal Judy O’Meara, Jack Jackter Intermediate School Principal Elise Butson, Director of
Teaching and Learning Charles Hewes, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education
Kathleen Perry, Chief Financial Officer Maggie Cosgrove.


1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
   Board Chair Brad Bernier called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. First grade students Lochlan
   Fabry, Isaac Pensa, and Lylah Sawyer led the Pledge of Allegiance.
   Chair Bernier presented each of the students with a pledge card for their participation.

Chair Bernier introduced Sue Hickey and Jessica Morozowich as the newly elected Board
members. They will be seated at the December meeting.

2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
   No additions or changes to the agenda were requested.

3. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
   3.1 Communications - None
   3.2 Recognitions/Celebrations
       3.2.1 Innovators of the Month from Bacon Academy: Math Teacher Jeanne Bussiere and
             Senior Owen Lavender. Mrs. Bussiere has begun implementing Project-Based
             Learning in her Advanced Math classes which has her students designing their own
             projects to learn key mathematical concepts and apply them in real-world contexts
             to solve problems. Owen Lavender built an electric bass guitar from scratch in his
             engineering course last year and finished it over the summer. Owen was unable to
             attend this evening but a video presentation showed the steps to make the guitar and
             a demonstration of Owen playing the guitar.

             Students Elizabeth Ladegard and Nathan Byrne presented projects they created to
             solve math problems. Elizabeth added that this class allows students to work at their
             own pace and is especially beneficial to students with learning disabilities. Elizabeth
             feels this class is amazing and it has become her favorite class.

              Chair Bernier presented J. Bussiere with a Certificate of Recognition.
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November 12, 2019 – Regular Meeting

   3.3 Presentations
       3.3.1 Community Transition Academy of Colchester (CTAC) 18-21 Program
       3.3.2 District Technology Update on Digital Conversion 5-year plan by Director of
             Teaching and Learning Dr. Charles Hewes and Director of Information Technology
             Darren Smith.
             These items will be on a future agenda.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT
   Danielle Pensa expressed her concern over recent busing problems and stated her support for
   the C3 Program.

  Geoffrey Fabry also stated his support for the C3 Program.

5. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
    5.1 Nurse’s Contract Ratification
        Discussion and possible action to ratify the July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2023 contract between the
        Colchester Board of Education and the Colchester Board of Education Nurses United Public
        Service Employees Union.
        The Nurse’s Contract Ratification was tabled to a future date.

    5.2 Director of Human Resources Position Description
        The Director of Human Resources position is to manage a comprehensive personnel
        program and direct the broad range of activities associated with human resources for the
        Town of Colchester and the Colchester Public Schools.
        Motion by: M. Tomasi
        to approve the new Director of Human Resources position description.
        Second by: M. Bylone.
        Vote:       Unanimous to approve position description.

    5.3 Deputy Chief Financial Officer Position Description
        This position assists the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in all aspects of daily operations
        of the combined Finance Department. This position involves the performance of a wide
        variety of professional accounting and financial control functions for a combined
        Finance Department.
        Motion by: C. McGlynn
        to approve the new Deputy Chief Financial Officer position description.
        Second by: A. Domeika.
        Vote:         Unanimous to approve the position description.

    5.4 Policies/Regulations Requiring Attention: First Readings (None at this time)

    5.5 Grants/Other Financial (None)

    5.6 Projected Enrollment to 2029
        This report presents a 10-year projection of enrollment of students in Colchester Public
        Schools. Superintendent Burt reviewed the enrollment projection to 2029 with the Board.



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November 12, 2019 – Regular Meeting

    5.7 Proposed School Year 2020-2021 Calendar
        The proposed 2020-2021 school year calendar was developed by Superintendent Burt
        and the District Calendar Committee. This year there will be six early release days and
        three inclement weather days built into the calendar.
        Motion by: M. Tomasi
        to approve the proposed School Year 2020-2021 Calendar.
        Second by: M. Koziol.
        Vote:       Unanimous to approve.

    5.8 Update from the Board Chair
        Chair Bernier thanked those Board Members who will be leaving for their service. Chair
        Bernier also stated that he is a strong advocate of the manufacturing/job training program
        at Bacon Academy and sees a lot of potential there. He hopes the Board will continue to
        support the program.

6. CONTINUED DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
    6.1 WJJMS Building Project Update
        Some punch list items are still outstanding. The Building Committee will be holding a
        meeting November 14, 2019.

    6.2 Policies/Regulations Requiring Attention (Second Readings)
        6.2.1 Board Representatives (Bylaw 9140)
              The Policy Committee reviewed this policy and recommended revisions.
              Motion by: M. Tomasi
               to approve the revised Bylaw 9140 Board Representatives.
              Second by: J. Violette.
               Vote:       Unanimous to approve.

         6.2.2 Student Members of the Board of Education (Bylaw 9160)
               The Policy Committee reviewed this policy and recommended revisions.
               Motion by: M. Bylone
               to approve the revised Bylaw 9160 Student Members of the Board of Education.
               Second by: M. Tomasi.
               Vote:        Unanimous to approve.

         6.2.3 Orientation (Bylaw 9230)
               The Policy Committee reviewed this policy and recommended revisions based
               on a policy recommended by CABE.
               Motion by: M. Bylone
               to approve the revised Bylaw 9230 Orientation.
               Second by: M. Tomasi.
               Vote:        Unanimous to approve.

         6.2.4 Board of Education Meetings (1120P)
               The Policy Committee reviewed this policy and has recommended revisions
               based on a policy recommended by CABE.
               Motion by: M. Bylone

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November 12, 2019 – Regular Meeting

                to approve the revised Bylaw 1120 Board of Education Meetings.
                Second by: M. Koziol.
                Vote:       Unanimous to approve.

7. CONSENT AGENDA .
   7.1 Approval of Minutes
       7.1.1 Minutes from October 10, 2019 Special Meeting
       7.1.2 Minutes from October 15, 2019
       7.1.3 Minutes from October 15, 2019 Special Meeting
       7.1.4 Minutes from October 21, 2019 Special Meeting
   7.2 Disposal of Obsolete Materials (None)
   7.3 Notifications of Retirement/Resignation (None)
   7.4 Field Trips (None)
       Motion by: M. Tomasi
       to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
       Second by: C. McGlynn.
       Vote: Abstaining: M. Koziol (absent from meetings).
              In favor: All others. Approved.

8. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES- School Board Committee Reports
    8.1 Policy
    8.2 Budget
    8.3 Personnel
    8.4 Ad-Hoc Curriculum
    8.5 Ad-Hoc Consolidation
        No reports.

9 . REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS - Members may report on items pertinent to
    school district business.
    No reports.

10. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION ITEMS
    10.1 Next Meetings:
      Meeting                         Meeting Time    Date                Location
       Policy Committee                  6:30PM       November 25, 2019   BOE Conference Room

       Personnel Committee               5:30PM       December 2, 2019    BOE Conference Room

       Budget Committee                  9:00AM       December 5, 2019    BOE Conference Room

       Board of Education Meeting       7:00 PM       December 10, 2019   CES Cafeteria


    10.2 Enrollment
    10.3 Non-substantive policy changes (None)
    10.4 Regulations (None)
    10.5 Approved Committee Meeting Minutes
         10.5.1 Policy Committee from May 20, 2019

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         10.5.2 Policy Committee from September 23, 2019
         10.5.3 Budget Committee Minutes from October 10, 2019
    10.6 Monthly Budget Reports
    10.7 Health Insurance Reserve Analysis
    10.8 Budget Transfers Under $5,000 (None)
    10.9 Information Items (None)
         No action taken.

11. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NEW ISSUES RAISED OR SUBJECTS DEVELOPED
    On behalf of the Administrators, Principal Bennett thanked the outgoing Board members,
    Chair B. Bernier, M. Bylone and J. Violette for their service and leadership.

    Superintendent Burt also thanked those Board members that are leaving and noted that
    he was appreciative of the help given to him by B. Bernier when Superintendent Burt came
    on as the new Superintendent and that he would be seeing Selectman-elect Bylone next week
    in her new office.

12. ADJOURNMENT
    Chair Bernier adjourned this meeting at 8:04 pm.


Respectively submitted,


Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary




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