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Board of Education
February 9, 2021 – Regular Meeting
Zoom Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mary Tomasi, Vice Chair Chris McGlynn, Amy Domeika, Suesen
Hickey, Jessica Morozowich, Joanne Rose, Mitch Koziol.
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Bacon Academy Principal Matt
Peel, Colchester Elementary School Principal Judy O’Meara, Jack Jackter Intermediate School
Principal Elise Butson, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Kathleen Perry, Director of
Education Operations Mario Hurtado, Director of Human Resources Shannon Ramsby, Director of
Technology Darren Smith, Chief Financial Officer Maggie Cosgrove, Board of Finance Chair Rob
Tarlov.
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Mary Tomasi called this Regular Meeting to order at 6:01 pm with a roll call vote to
establish a quorum.
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
None requested.
3. RECOGNITIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3.1 Kelly Blain, Bacon Academy English Teacher
Principal Peel introduced Bacon Academy English teacher Kelly Blain. K. Blain attended a
4-week professional development from Harvard early in the school year about teaching in a
digital learning environment. She then organized a high-quality professional development
opportunity for Bacon Academy and William J. Johnston teachers using that training.
3.2 Social/Emotional Learning in Anne Lemke’s Kindergarten Class
The innovative thinkers in Mrs. Lemke's Kindergarten class are creating new breathing
techniques to help us deal with stress, as part of social/emotional learning. Students make
new videos each week to be shown in the morning with their own idea for a breathing
exercise.
3.3 1st Grade Teacher”. Kelly Keenan, Amy Rowe, Meghan Barrows
After realizing that a student in her class had a parent serving overseas for the holidays, Ms.
Keenan spoke with her students about how they could show kindness and support. Ms.
Keenan, Mrs. Rowe, and Mrs. Barrows first grade classes collected requested items from
soldiers serving overseas. While donations poured in, students wrote cards, tallied the items
and packed everything into three large boxes. In total, over 300 items were collected and sent
overseas to very deserving members of the armed forces. The students were overwhelmed by
the amount of supplies they were able to collect and loved receiving photographs from the
troops thanking them for their kind act. Although the holidays are over, the first grade classes
at Colchester Elementary School are continuing to learn and explore the value that community
outreach can have. After learning about our community and the needs of those around us, all
of the first grade classes have decided to start a food drive that will be donating to the Gemma
E. Moran Food Bank that services all of New London County. The first graders have been
working hard to reach out to members of the community asking for their support with this
new project. It is the goal of the first grade classes to spread love by giving back to their
community.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments received.
Board of Education
February 9, 2020 – Regular Meeting
5. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
5.1 2021-2022 Budget Updates
Superintendent Burt stated he is taking a hard look at every aspect of the budget. There
are no new initiatives, only looking to sustain what we have and maintain staff to meet the
needs of students. There were savings last year with pre-purchased items but the schools are
open, cleaning is ongoing, there are many fixed costs and there are anticipated expenditures such
as the replacement of the Bacon Academy oil tank at an estimated $200,000 plus remediation of
$50,000 that must be completed by July of next year.
5.2 Pandemic Update
Superintendent Burt said he is seeing a drop in cases this week. There was a rise in cases
after Thanksgiving and after Christmas vacation.
5.3 Esser II Grant
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) II Grant money can
only be used for items directly tied to Covid-19 expenses, including summer programs,
longer days, extra help directed to students to help with learning loss and recovery. All
invoices will be reviewed by the State.
5.4 Current Instructional Model Update (Not at this time)
5.5 Communications ( None at the time)
6. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR FIRST READING
6.1 3420P Tuition Fees
6.2 4115P Evaluation-Certified
6.3 4214P Transfer/Reassignment
6.4 5124P Reporting to Parents
6.5 4218.4P Surveillance on School Property (Personnel)
6.6 5131.11P Surveillance on School Property (Students)
6.7 5131.911P Bullying Prevention and Intervention
6.8 5245.5 Policy regarding Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972-Prohition of Sex
Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (Students)
As this is the first reading for the above policies, no action was taken.
7. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
7.1. Tuition Rate for School Year 2021-2022
Non-resident students from other school districts may attend local schools when they can
be accommodated. The tuition is paid by the sending district. It will remain at $12,000
for this school year.
Motion by: C. McGlynn
to approve the Tuition Rate as presented for school year 2021-2022.
Second by: J. Rose.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8. GRANTS/OTHER FINANCIALS
8.1 Budget Transfer Over $5,000
This is a transfer of $8,000 from Custodial Supplies to Building Repairs due to needed
Funds for anticipated mechanical repairs. Funds are available in Custodial Supplies du
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Board of Education
February 9, 2020 – Regular Meeting
to supplies purchased but not used due to school closure, reimbursement by State due to
Covid-19 and due to hybrid instructional model.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the budget transfer request of $8,000 for Bacon Academy custodial supplies
and building repairs.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.2 Budget Transfer Over $5,000
This transfer corrects the account number for the Math SRBI Paraprofessional at BA.
Motion by: A. Domeika
to approve the transfer of $23,520 to correct the account number for the Math SRBI
Paraprofessional at Bacon Academy.
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.3 Donation to Bacon Academy Library Media Center
The donation will be used to purchase furniture for the Library Media Center (LMC) to
enhance the functionality of the space and support the new ways students and teachers
use it.
Motion by: J. Rose
to accept a donation check in the amount of $576.60 from Stanley Harasimowitz for
Bacon Academy’s Library Media Center.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.4. Transportation Contract with East Haddam
Motion by: S. Hickey
to approve the transportation contract with East Haddam regarding transport of students to
Norwich Technical High School.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
9. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT
9.1 Bacon Academy Program of Studies for 2021-2022
Vice Principal Amy Begue reviewed the summary of additions and changes to the 2021-
2022 Bacon Academy Program of Studies.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the 2021-2022 Bacon Academy Program of Studies.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
10. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR A SECOND READING
10.1 4000P Concepts and Rules in Personnel
10.2 4118.51P Social Networking
Motion by: M. Koziol
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Board of Education
February 9, 2020 – Regular Meeting
to approve Policy 4000P Concepts and Rules in Personnel and Policy 4118.51P Social
Networking.
Second by: J. Rose.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
11. NON-SUBSTANTIVE POLICIES
11.1 4213P. Assignment
11.2 5145.124P. Use of Alcohol Detection Devices
No action taken.
12. CONSENT AGENDA
12.1 Approval of January 14, 2021 Special Meeting Minutes
12.2 Approval of January 12, 2021 BOE Meeting Minutes
12.3 Approval of January 28, 2021 Special Meeting Minutes
Motion by: A. Domeika
to approve Items 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3 meeting minutes as read.
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
12.4 Recycling Smart Boards – Request from IT
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve Item 12.4 Recycling Smart Boards.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
13. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES
13.1. Policy – no further report
13.2 Budget – J. Morozowich reported that the magnet school tuition invoices are less than
anticipated. The cafeteria fund is still a concern, health claims have increased,
Special Education invoices are fluctuating, and there is a new BA scoreboard
paid from athletic funds.
13.3 Personnel – A. Domeika noted Personnel is meeting on March 1, 2021.
13.4. Ad-Hoc Curriculum – no report
13.5 Ad-Hoc Diversity, Equity and Inclusion –
J. Rose said the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee had the first meeting
February 4, 2021, electing J. Rose as chair. The next meeting will be February 10,
and meetings will be every other week. At this time, they are reviewing the mission
statement and working with the Town AdHoc Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
14. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
14.1 Listing of Board Liaisons
1. BA Project Grad Liaison
2. Board of Finance Liaison
3. Board of Selectmen Liaison
4. Building Committee Liaison
5. Collaborative for Colchester’s Children (C3) Liaison
6. Commission on Aging
7. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison
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Board of Education
February 9, 2020 – Regular Meeting
8. Fire Department Liaison
9. Parks & Recreation Liaison
10. Police Commission Liaison
11. PTO Collaborative Liaison
12. School Readiness Council Liaison
13. Senior Center Liaison
14. Youth & Social Services Liaison
No reports were presented.
15. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION ITEMS
15.1 Budget Calendar – available on website.
15.2 CES Pajama Day raises $959.17 for Children’s Medical Center
15.3 Donation of Braille materials to Pupil Services
Claire Krieger graciously donated Braille items including stacks of alphabet cards, several
copies of Weekly Reader, a copy of the Constitution plus paperbacks about Louis Braille
and Helen Keller. She says this of her donation: “Hopefully, you will be able to aid some
partially sighted student on their journey to literacy.”
15.4. Next Meetings
MEETING DATE TIME LOCATION
Policy Committee 2/16/2021 5:30 PM Virtual
Personnel Committee 3/1/2021 5:30 PM Virtual
Budget Committee 3/4/2021 9:00 AM Virtual
Board of Education 3/9/2021 6:00 PM Virtual
15.5 Monthly Student Enrollment -
Student Enrollment for February is 2,178 students.
15.6 Approved Committee Meeting Minutes
15.7 Monthly Budget Reports
15.8 Cafeteria Fund
15.9 Budget Transfer Under $5,000
15.10 Regulations (None at this time)
Information items only, no action taken.
16. PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments were received.
17. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Tomasi adjourned this meeting at 7:41 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary
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