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Board of Education
March 10, 2020 – Regular Meeting
Colchester Elementary School Cafeteria
315 Halls Hill Road
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mary Tomasi, Vice Chair Chris McGlynn, Amy Domeika,
Suesen Hickey, Jessica Morozowich, Joanne Rose, Mitch Koziol; Student Members Nick
Janus and Shannon Hickey.
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Principal 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, Director of Education Operations Mario Hurtado,
Director of Human Resources Shannon Ramsby, Chief Financial Officer Maggie Cosgrove.
OTHERS PRESENT: Board of Selectmen Liaison Denise Mizla.
As this is Board of Education Member Appreciation Month, prior to the meeting the
WJJMS Jazz Combo and WJJMS Jazz Quartet played for the Board members.
Refreshments were available and the students made cards and posters to show their
appreciation for work done by Board members.
1. MEETING OPENING
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Mary Tomasi called this Regular Meeting to order at 7:06 pm. Students
from Mrs. Cannata’s class led the Pledge of Allegiance: Michael Intrieri, Kaydence
Bedner, Joshua Hunt, Elizabeth Coats, and Lochian Fabry.
Chair Tomasi presented each of the students with a pledge card for their participation.
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Superintendent Burt requested adding Amendment to 403(b) Plan Document –
Eligibility and Hardship Distributions to the agenda as Item 8.8.
Motion by: M. Koziol
to add Item 8.8 as requested.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
3. CELEBRATIONS
3.1 JJIS Students Honored by CT Association of Schools
JJIS Grad 5 students Darareaksmey Disher and Sophie Cimbaro were honored at
the Connecticut Association of Schools’ Elementary Arts Recognition Festival on
February 10th.
3.2 Innovator of the Month: Deborah Bigelow at Bacon Academy
March’s Innovator of the Month is from Bacon Academy: Deborah Bigelow,
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher.
Interior Design’s foray into more that the upcycling of garments, but a
conscientious recycling of a garment into another useful tool, breathing new life
into items, creating a positive environmental impact, while students use
contemporary elements of style. This project was envisioned jointly with the
Environmental Club’s collection of unwanted jeans and the Interior Design’s skill
Board of Education
March 10, 2020 – Regular Meeting
set to create a usable item. Students showed the members one of the tote bags that
were made from the jeans.
3.3 Recognition of Steering Committee
The following people served on the district’s Steering Committee to develop
district goals:
Alexis Jados Judy O’Meara
Amy Begue Kara Pac
Charles Hewes Kathleen Perry
Chris McGlynn Mary Tomasi
Jennifer Bricher Allison Anderson
Jessica Morozowich Joy Orlando
Chair Tomasi presented the Steering Committee members with Certificates
of Recognition.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Several parents spoke about the recent decision to cancel all field trips until the end of
April after the Governor declared a State of Emergency due to Covid-19. The Board
announced they will hold a Special Meeting on Monday, March 16, 2020, at 7:00 pm at
CES to discuss alternatives to cancelling all field trips at this time. Parents are invited to
attend or to meet with the Superintendent in smaller groups.
5. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
5.1 Communications
No communications were received.
5.2 JJIS Student Communications see google docs
Principal Butson introduced Karah Pensa and Ella Jeffries. The students prepared a
letter stating why they believe middle school students should have recess.
5.3 Budget 2020-21 Update
The Board of Education approved the Superintendent’s Budget at a BOE meeting
on March 3, 2020. Board members will be meeting with various groups to present
the budget.
5.4 Budget Freeze Update
The Superintendent has instituted a hard freeze and purchase order requests will be
approved for essential items only, non-essential vacancies will not be filled on a
case by case basis. Potential school closures due to Ovid-19 would have effects
on the budget.
5.5 Advanced Manufacturing Program
Superintendent Burt has had conversations with a university interested in holding
adult classes at Bacon Academy with university staff. This program would have
benefits in many ways to Bacon as well as to the community. New equipment
would be installed by the university that could be used by Bacon students. This
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March 10, 2020 – Regular Meeting
would be advanced manufacturing allowing students to work toward an Associates
Certificate, with Pell Grant availability.
Board members felt Superintendent Burt should continue to look into the advanced
manufacturing program suggested by this university.
5.6 Discussion of Last Day of School and Bacon Academy Graduation
The decision will be held off until April as any potential closing could delay
the end of school by two weeks or more.
5.7 April 28, 2020 Election Day
Bacon Academy is the voting site and cannot be changed by state regulations. An
early dismissal for the high school would entail an additional bus run. All schools
will have an early dismissal and the time will be used for professional development.
5.8 Presentation: Accountability
Dr. Hewes presented the Colchester Public Schools Next-Generation Accountability
Report 2018-19
6. POLICIES/REGULATION FOR FIRST READING (NONE)
7. PRIORITY DISCUSSION ITEMS
7.1 Signs of Suicide Program (Youth Services)
Director of Youth and Social Services Val Geato reviewed the program that would
be presented to 7th and 9th grade students.
School is a natural and effective place to deliver suicide prevention programming.
Schools can create a safe environment to teach students the signs and symptoms of
depression and suicidal thinking, while also training faculty and staff to respond to
concerns. The SOS program includes a video, a classroom discussion and the
sharing of additional resources for support.
Specifically, the Signs of Suicide middle school video, Time to ACT, is
approximately 20 minutes in length and features three dramatizations and roundtable
discussions of common middle school scenarios such as online bullying and self-
injury. The video also includes a Q&A between a high school student and school
counselor that addresses common questions surrounding depression and suicide, and
their related risk factors.
The Signs of Suicide high school video, Friends for Life, is approximately 25
minutes in length and features three real-life stories including a suicide attempt
survivor, a story of family and friends who lost a loved one to suicide, and a story of
hope about a girl who found help after struggling with depression and alcohol use.
The video also includes four dramatizations addressing substance use and threats of
school violence.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve Youth Services’ request to utilize the Signs of Suicide screening program
at William J. Johnston Middle School and Bacon Academy.
Second by: A. Domeika
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Board of Education
March 10, 2020 – Regular Meeting
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
7.2 2020-21 Healthy Food Certification Compliance (ED-099)
Colchester is in full compliance with the state requirements. This report is
filed through the state's online reporting system.
Motion by: C. McGlynn
to certify that the Colchester Public Schools Food Service Program meets
Connecticut Nutrition Standards for public schools.
Second by: J. Rose.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
7.3 2020-21 School Year Calendar Adjustment
March 12, 2021 was incorrectly entered as a 1/2 day for students and teacher training
for the second 1/2 of the day. It should be no school for students and a full day
teacher training in regional professional development.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the revised School Year 2020-21 Calendar.
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8. GRANTS/OTHER FINANCIALS
8.1 Statement of Assurances for Perkins Grant
The Perkins Supplemental Enhancement Grant is a competitive CT grant that is
intended to further support students develop skills in Career, Technical Education.
Bacon Academy’s 2020 proposal requests $46,250 to be used to purchase industry-
standard machinery, train faculty, and write curriculum for a Manufacturing 3 course.
This course will provide students who excel in the field of manufacturing with an
advanced elective option, expanding their post-secondary employment/training
opportunities. The CSDE requires minutes from board of education meetings that
illustrate a board’s commitment to sustained programing in Career Technical if that
community is to be a recipient of the grant.
Motion by: A. Domeika
to approve Colchester Public Schools' plans to continue its full support of the Career
Technical Education program at Bacon Academy by maintaining its building
facilities, staffing levels, course offerings, and supplies for the proposed 2020/21
budget.
Second by: M. Koziol.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.2 Acceptance of $3,200 Grant for C3 from People Empowering People
Motion by: J. Rose
to accept the grant for C3 from People Empowering People in the amount of
$3,200.
Second by: J. Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.3 Local Early Childhood Collaboration Grant
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Board of Education
March 10, 2020 – Regular Meeting
This grant is entitled Strengthening Local Early Childhood Collaboration, and is
provided through the Connecticut Council on Philanthropy. Operational support will
assist C3 with building capacity of staff through training opportunities.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to accept the grant to C3 in the amount of $15,876 from the T Early Childhood
Funder Collaborative.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.4 Tuition at Bacon Academy
In order to remain a viable option for Norwich Public Schools and potential partner
districts, it is recommended that the tuition rate be set at $12,200 for the 2020-21
school year.
Motion by: C. McGlynn
to approve the proposed tuition rate of $12,200 for the 2020-21 school year.
Second by: J. Rose.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.5 CTAC 18021 Program Rent/MOU
A preliminary relationship has been established with East Haddam Public Schools to
explore a collaborative 18-21 program.
The Board members felt Superintendent Burt should continue to develop a shared
program with East Haddam for this program and establish a Memorandum of
Understanding to establish a formal relationship.
8.6 Budget Transfer Over $5,000: Contingency
Transfer funds identified as available to offset projected budget deficit to Contingency.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the budget transfer of $41,804 from various accounts into Contingency.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.7 Budget Transfer Over $5,000: Contract
Funds budgeted for union contract settlements included in the District-wide Contract
Settlements line.
Motion by: J. Rose
to approve the budget transfer of $5,534 for Nurse's contract settlement.
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.8 Amendment to 403(b) Plan Document – Eligibility and Hardship Distributions
As a result of regulation changes involving eligibility requirements for part-time
employees, as well as amendments to the regulations surrounding hardship
distributions, the District’s 403(b) Plan Document needs to be amended.
Motion by: M. Koziol
to approve the amendment to 403(b) Plan Document as presented.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
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March 10, 2020 – Regular Meeting
9. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT (NONE)
10. CONTINUTED DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
10.1 WJJMS Building Project Update
Superintendent Burt noted there are punch list items and a sewer problem that
must be addressed before the project can be closed out.
11. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR SECOND READING (NONE)
12. CONSENT AGENDA
12.1 Approval of February 11, 2020 Minutes
12.2 Approval of February 18, 2020 Minutes
12.3 Approval of February 25, 2020 Minutes
12.4 Approval of March 3, 2020 Minutes
12.5 Approval of February 20, 2020 Special Meeting Minutes
12.6 Approval of February 11, 2020 Special Meeting Minutes
12.7 Approval of February 25, 2010 Special Meeting Minutes
12.8 Field trip: Bacon Academy Biology Students to NYC
12.9 Retirements/Resignations
12.10 IT Request for Disposal of Obsolete Technology
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the Consent Agenda items with the exception of Item 12.8 Field Trip
to be tabled for further discussion.
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
13. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES
Personnel – A. Domeika noted that several job descriptions have been completed and
will be sent to the Board.
No other reports were received.
14. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
No reports at this time.
15. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION ITEMS
15.1 Next Meetings
Meeting
Meeting Date Location
Time
BOE Conference
Policy Committee 6:30PM March 23, 2020
Room
BOE Conference
Budget Committee 9:00AM April 2, 2020
Room
Board of Education 7:00PM CES Cafeteria
April 7, 2020
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Board of Education
March 10, 2020 – Regular Meeting
15.1 Enrollment Report March 2020 BOE Meeting - Enrollment at 2293 students
15.2 Regulations (None at this time)
15.3 Approved Committee Meeting Minutes
15.4 Monthly Budget Reports
15.5 Health Insurance Reserve Analysis
15.6 Budget Transfer Under $5,000
15.7 JJIS Donation to Miracle League Southeast CT
16. INFORMATION ITEMS: NON-SUBSTANTIVE POLICY CHANGES (NONE)
17. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NEW ISSUES RAISED OR SUBJECT DEVELOPED
No comments received.
18. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Tomasi adjourned this meeting at 9:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary
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