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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
BUDGET COMMITTEE
Thursday June 18, 2020
BOE Budget Committee Meeting 9:00AM
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
MINUTES
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jessica Morozowich, Joanne Rose, Mitch Koziol
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, CFO Maggie Cosgrove,
Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Kathleen Perry, Director of Educational
Operations Mario Hurtado, Director of Human Resources Shannon Ramsby
OTHERS PRESENT: BOE Chair Mary Tomasi
1. CALL TO ORDER
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Morozowich called the meeting to order at 9:06AM
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
None.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
3.1 Public Comment
None.
4. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4.1 *Approval of June 4, 2020 Minutes
Motion by: J. Rose
To approve the minutes of the June 4, 2020 Budget Committee meeting.
Second by: M. Koziol
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich, M. Koziol
5. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
5.1 PEGPETIA Grant
It is anticipated we will receive the award in the amount of $67,400 for the Public,
Educational and Governmental Programming and Educational Technology Investment
(PEGPETIA) grant in the next week. We have until July 31 to liquidate funds. The
following are recommended options for expenditures:
Option 1:
Overhaul the entire Bacon Academy auditorium audio/visual system. This would provide
access to a high-quality/modern system that would support district and community events.
It would require the district to supplement a little over $2,000 in building use funds to
cover the cost. To add in the BOE audio system for meetings the total would be
approximately $9,280 out of the building use funds.
Option 2:
Integrate the audio/visual systems within the Bacon Academy auditorium, gym, and
cafeteria to allow live-streaming. Fund the portable microphone and sound system for
public meetings. Fund the projector and screen for the BA gymnasium. The additional
$79,000 (approximate) would need to either be split with some building use funds and
EOY funds.
The Budget Committee recommended Option 1.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
To accept the award of the PEGPETIA Grant and move Option 1 to the full BOE for
approval.
Second by: J. Rose
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich, M. Koziol
5.2 Summer Food Security Program Continuation
Colchester can participate in the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) for food distribution.
CPS can continue to operate in a similar method as is currently in place providing meals
during COVID-19 emergency school closures. There will be two meals on Monday and
three meals on Wednesday for pickup.
Motion by: J. Rose
To approve the proposed continuation of the Summer Food Security Program and move
to the full BOE for approval.
Second by: M. Koziol
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich, M. Koziol
5.3 District Closure Budget Impact
Discussion ensued regarding closing out the school year.
6. BUDGET REPORTS
6.1 Budget Transfers Under $5,000 (None at this Time)
6.2 Cafeteria Fund
6.3 Use of Schools
Agenda items 6.2 and 6.3 were presented as information related to discussion in 5.1 (Use
of Schools Fund report through March 2020) and 5.3 (Cafeteria Fund report through May
2020).
6.4 Monthly Budget Reports
CFO Cosgrove presented the monthly budget report through June 17. The Cafeteria report
through May 2020 was also discussed; that report shows a loss of $81,596 in large part to
the reimbursement levels for the meals program. There is also need for a replacement
dishwasher for Bacon Academy. Discussion ensued of payroll items, fuel levels, and
adjustments for special education. CFO Cosgrove also reviewed technology purchases
with end of year funds. There will be pre-purchase of some instructional supplies for next
year. We are pursuing grant funding, including FEMA reimbursement and CARES Act
funds to cover costs associated with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
6.5 Health Insurance Reserve (None at this Time)
6.6 Special Education Excess Cost Report
Kathleen Perry, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education, presented an updated
Excess Cost Report. She estimated the savings for not transporting students during school
closures is approximately $32,000.
6.7 Capital Reserve (Not at this Time)
7. OLD BUSINESS
7.1 2020-21 Budget Update
Superintendent Burt shared the updated adjustments to the 2020-21 budget. He has
recommended including the HR Assistant position for the Board of Education in the
2020-21 budget. Discussion ensued regarding the need for assistance with HR needs and
Central Office position adjustments. The Committee endorsed the changes proposed by
Superintendent Burt.
Motion by: J. Rose
To move the 2020-21 budget revisions to the full BOE for approval.
Second by: M. Koziol
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich, M. Koziol
8. *NEW BUSINESS
8.1 *Budget Transfer Over $5,000: Technology
The transfer request is to purchase Chromebooks and other technology supplies. The
reason for available funds is school closure due to COVID-19 pandemic, reduction in
transportation costs and diesel fuel for buses, and release of funds from budget freeze.
Magnet Schools & Vo-Ag tuition amounts were less than anticipated when FY 2019-2020
budget was developed; actual enrollment less than estimated. These purchases are
specifically related to the FY 2020-2021 budget reductions.
Motion by: M. Koziol
To approve the request for a budget transfer in the amount of $177,300 to purchase
Chromebooks and other technology supplies and move to the full BOE for approval.
Second by: J. Rose
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich, M. Koziol
8.2 *Budget Transfer Over $5,000: Food Service Program
The transfer request is to subsidize the Food Service program’s revenue loss and deficit
due to the school closure resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Meals continued to be
provided to students and their families as an emergency response. Transfer will also cover
a replacement of a dishwasher at BA cafeteria. The reason for available funds: savings in
utility costs due to the mild winter and the school closure resulting from the COVID-19
pandemic.
Motion by: J. Rose
To approve the request for a budget transfer in the amount of $125,500 for the Food
Service Program and move to the full BOE for approval.
Second by: M. Koziol
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich, M. Koziol
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NEW ISSUES RAISED OR SUBJECTS DEVELOPED
9.1 Public Comment
None.
10. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:37AM.