BOEmtgAPR72020

Board of Education
April 7, 2020 – Regular Meeting –
Remote Zoom Meeting

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mary Tomasi, Vice Chair Chris McGlynn, Amy Domeika,
Suesen Hickey, Jessica Morozowich, Joanne Rose, Mitchell Koziol.

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.


1. MEETING OPENING
   1.1 Call to Order
       Chair Tomasi called this remote Zoom Regular Meeting to order at 4:00 pm. with a roll
       call for attendance. All present.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT
   2.1 Citizens are invited to address the Board by emailing boardquestions@colchesterct.org or
       in written form to Colchester Board of Education, 127 Norwich Avenue, Suite 202,
       Colchester, Connecticut 06415. Public questions entered at least one hour prior to the
       start of the meeting will be addressed if in regard to an agenda item. Other questions will
       be answered in writing and added to the minutes of the meeting.

        No comments were received.

3. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
   3.1. Communications
        A letter was received regarding the status of Spring break. At this time, it is likely to
        remain in place.

   3.2 Board Appreciation Discussion
       Board members were grateful for the show of appreciation at the March 10, 2020 Regular
       Board of Education meeting and would like to acknowledge the many students and others
       involved. It was decided to make a video to say thank you.

    3.3 Budget 2020-21 Timeline Update
        The budget is being reviewed in detail and the Board has 30 days to move forward. A
        video meeting is planned for April 15, 2020, at 7:00 pm with the Board of Finance to
        present the budget.

    3.4 Budget Freeze Update
        The freeze is in place and each request is being reviewed by Superintendent Burt. There
        will be more update in May on the impact of the closure on the current budget.

    3.5 Transportation Contract Update
        Superintendent Burt provided the Board with an update for M&J and LEARN contracts
        in light of the Governor’s Executive Order. The district will follow the order and
        renegotiate both contracts for the remainder of the year.
Board of Education
April 7, 2020 – Regular Meeting
4. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR FIRST READING
   4.1 6172.6P and 6172.6R Virtual Online Courses
       The above Policy and Regulation are being sent back to the Policy Committee for further
To authorize the Board Chair to sign finalized copy of the Memorandum of Agreement with Nurses on
work during the district closure as a result of the COVID19 pandemic
   review.

5. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
   5.1 LEARN Contract Renewal
       As a result of a closure the Superintendent delayed the issuing of an RFP for special
       education transportation for one year and has negotiated a one-year extension with the
       district’s current vendor, LEARN, for the 2020-2021 school year.
       Motion by: J. Morozowich
        to approve the 2020-2021 contract with LEARN.
       Second by: J. Rose.
       Vote:         Roll call vote was unanimous to approve.

  5.2 Bacon Academy Graduation Date
      The recommendation is that the Bacon Academy graduation date be set for Monday, June
      15, 2020.
      Motion by: J. Morozowich
      to set the Bacon Academy graduation date for Monday, June 15, 2020.
      Second by: C. McGlynn.
      Vote:        Roll call vote was unanimous to approve.

  5.3 BOE Budget 2020-2021 Discussion
      As a result of the Governor's changes to the budget process and public meetings,
      the Board of Education may open the 2020-2021 budget for possible adjustment.

  5.4 Approve MOA Working Agreements
      A finalized copy of the Memorandum of Agreement with Nurses on work during the
      district closure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic must be signed by the Board Chair.
      Item tabled.

6. GRANTS/OTHER FINANCIALS
   6.1 Budget Transfer over $5,000
       Unexpended instructional supply budget lines are available to purchase additional
       Chromebooks based on additional need among students. A document outlining the details
       of this budget transfer is attached to these minutes.
       Motion by: A. Domeika
       to approve the budget transfer in the amount of $18,000 for the purchase of additional
       Chromebooks.
       Second by: S. Hickey.
       Vote:        Roll call vote unanimous to approve.

  6.2 Donation from Bacon Academy Parent for Baseball Field
      This donation is part of a matching gift program via Benevity for the Voya company.
      Motion by: A. Domeika
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 Board of Education
 April 7, 2020 – Regular Meeting
       to accept the donation of $2795 from Bacon Academy parent Stanley Harasimowitz for
       the purpose of improving the Bacon Academy baseball field.
       Second by: C. McGlynn.
       Vote:         Roll call vote unanimous to approve.

 7. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT
    None at this time.

 8. CONTINUED DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
    8.1 WJJMS Building Project Update
        No discussion at this time.

 9. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR SECOND READING (NONE)

10. CONSENT AGENDA
    10.1 Approval of March 10, 2020 Minutes
    10.2 Approval of March 10, 2020 Special Meeting Minutes
    10.3 Approval of April 1, 2020 Special Meeting Minutes
    10.4 Bacon Academy English Department Request for Disposal of Obsolete Materials
         Motion by: J. Rose
         to approve the Consent Agenda.
         A. Domeika amended the motion to remove Item 10.2
         Second by: J. Morozowich to the amended motion.
         Vote:        Roll call vote unanimous to approve.

11. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES
    11.1 Policy
    11.2 Budget
    11.3 Personnel
    11.4 Ad-Hoc Curriculum
    11.5 Ad-Hoc Curriculum
          No reports at this time.

12. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
    No reports at this time.

13. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION ITEMS
    13.1 Next Meetings

  Meeting                     Meeting Time Date                  Location

  Policy Committee                 4:00PM   April 27, 2020       Virtual

  Budget Committee                 9:00AM   May 7, 2020          Virtual


  Board of Education               4:00PM   May 12, 2020         Virtual




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Board of Education
April 7, 2020 – Regular Meeting
    13.2 Enrollment Report for April 2020 BOE Meeting – 2294 Students for March 2020
    13.3 Regulations (None at this time)
    13.4 Approved Committee Meeting Minutes
    13.5 Monthly Budget Reports
    13.6 Health Insurance Reserve Analysis
    13.7 Budget Transfer Under $5,000 (None at this time)
    13.8 Bacon Academy Dual Enrollment Opportunities
         Information items only, no action.

14. INFORMATION ITEMS: NON-SUBSTANTIVE POLICY CHANGES (NONE)

15. ADJOURNMENT
    Chair Tomasi adjourned this meeting at 4:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted,


Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary




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