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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
BUDGET COMMITTEE
Thursday, June 3, 2021
BOE Budget Committee Meeting 9:15AM
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
MINUTES
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jessica Morozowich, Joanne Rose
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, CFO Maggie Cosgrove,
Director of Educational Operations Mario Hurtado, Director of Pupil Services and Special
Education Kathleen Perry
OTHERS PRESENT: BOE Chair Mary Tomasi, BOE Member Suesen Hickey, Executive
Assistant to the Superintendent Amy Trinnaman
1. CALL TO ORDER
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Morozowich called the meeting to order at 9:18AM.
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
None.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
3.1 Public Comment
None.
4. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4.1 Approval of May 6, 2021 Minutes
Motion by: J. Rose
To approve the minutes of the May 6, 2021 Budget Committee meeting
Second by: J. Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich
5. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
5.1 *2021-22 Budget Adjustment
Superintendent Burt updated the Committee on the proposed budget adjustment. The
Board of Finance reduced the proposed 2021-2022 budget in the amounts of $275,000
and $364,175, for a total of $639,175. The BOE previously discussed possible areas of
reduction for $275,000 at a special meeting in April 2021. The Superintendent presented
suggestions for reduction for the $364,175 additional amount. ARPA/ESSER grant
funding can be used to cover improvements in our HVAC systems in schools. Proposed
reductions include device purchases, capital improvements adjustments, and IT reserve.
Curriculum implementation, specifically programs designed to recover the lost learning,
is covered by grant funds as well. These items will need to be added into the budget
process for the following year. ARPA funding can also be used for staffing (e.g.,
Interventionists) as directly related to COVID-19’s impact on learning.
Discussion ensued on contributions to the reserve fund.
This agenda item was tabled and returned to later in the meeting; CFO Cosgrove next
presented the monthly reports.
Motion by: J. Rose
To recommend the proposed 2021-2022 budget adjustments and move to the full BOE
for discussion.
Second by: J. Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich
5.2 Long-range Capital Improvement Plan
Superintendent Burt and Director of Educational Operations Mario Hurtado presented
the CPS Long-Range Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Short-term needs at Bacon
Academy include oil tank replacement, HVAC repairs, kitchen equipment, and roof
repairs. Bacon long-term (8-10 years) needs include HVAC
equipment/supplies/installation, new roof, carpeting, flooring, painting, window
treatments, bathrooms, driveway and parking lot updates, fields/tennis courts
repair/drainage, interior/exterior lighting, as well as smaller repairs and updates. Funding
the long-range needs is critical to avoid potential higher costs in the future. Discussion
ensued regarding use of ARPA funding for some expenses. The CIP for JJIS includes
roof repairs. Two options were presented. At CES, the roof is in good condition but will
require regular, preventive maintenance to avoid greater expenses in the future. Budget
transfers that pertain to the CIP are on this meeting’s agenda. This will be presented to
the full BOE on June 8, 2021.
5.3 *Possible Addition of Kindergarten Teacher
Based on enrollment projections for Kindergarten of 174 students, the approved BOE
budget for 2021-22 raised the number of Kindergarten sections from 8 to 9. At this time
it is likely the Kindergarten enrollment will exceed the maximum number of students for
9 sections (total 180 students) and an additional section, for a total of 10, is
recommended at this time. This addition may be temporarily funded by a grant if
necessary.
Motion by: J. Rose
To move the request for an additional Kindergarten teacher to the full BOE for
discussion and approval.
Second by: J. Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich
6. BUDGET REPORTS
6.1 Monthly Budget Reports
CFO Maggie Cosgrove presented the budget report through the end of May 2021.
Year-end projections are underway. Pupil Services for out of District placement
over-expenditures are subject to reimbursement from the Special Education Excess Cost
grant along with out of District tuition and transportation.
6.2 Cafeteria Fund
CFO Cosgrove shared that the cafeteria fund reimbursement from the federal
government has dramatically improved the financial health of this program. Based on the
estimated reimbursement amount, we anticipate a more favorable outcome than
originally expected.
6.3 Health Insurance Reserve
CFO Cosgrove presented a report through the end of April 2021. May 2021 claims are
similar to recent months. While there are a higher number of claims, overall there are no
significant concerns. There were very few stop-loss claims this year.
CFO Cosgrove left the meeting at 9:56AM.
6.4 Special Education Excess Cost Report
Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Kathleen Perry presented the Special
Education Excess Cost Report. There are no changes in tuitions or the number of
students. Billing for transportation showed discrepancies, but credit due from LEARN
will resolve the overage.
6.5 Use of Schools
None at this time.
6.6 Capital Reserve
None at this time.
6.7 Budget Transfers Under $5,000
None at this time.
7. OLD BUSINESS
7.1 Update on Federal Grants
The CSDE provided an update to the ESSER II and ARPA ESSER grants on May 27th.
The District will be preparing a Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of
Services Plan that will be shared with the public for stakeholder input.
8. *NEW BUSINESS
8.1 *Budget Transfer Over $5,000: Curriculum (CES Wonders Reading Program)
8.2 *1330 Use of School Facilities: Fee Schedule for 2021-2022
8.3 *Budget Transfer Over $5,000: CES Roofing
8.4 *Budget Transfer Over $5,000: JJIS Roofing
8.5 *Budget Transfer Over $5,000: WJJMS Long-Range Maintenance
8.6 *Budget Transfer Over $5,000: Bacon Academy Building Repairs
Motion by: J. Rose
To approve agenda item 8.1 Budget Transfer Over $5,000: Curriculum (CES Wonders
Reading Program) and move to the full BOE for review.
Second by: J. Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich
Motion by: J. Rose
To approve the fee schedule in agenda item 8.2: 1330 Use of School Facilities: Fee
Schedule for 2021-2022 and move to the full BOE for review.
Second by: J. Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich
Motion by: J. Rose
To approve item 8.3: Budget Transfer Over $5,000: CES Roofing and move to the full
BOE for review.
Second by: J. Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich
Motion by: J. Rose
To approve agenda item 8.4: Budget Transfer Over $5,000: JJIS Roofing and move to
the full BOE for review.
Second by: J. Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich
Motion by: J. Rose
To approve agenda item 8.5: Budget Transfer Over $5,000: WJJMS Long-Range
Maintenance and move to the full BOE for review.
Second by: J. Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich
Motion by: J. Rose
To approve agenda item 8.6: Budget Transfer Over $5,000: Bacon Academy Building
Repairs and move to the full BOE for review.
Second by: J. Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NEW ISSUES RAISED OR SUBJECTS DEVELOPED
9.1 Public Comment
None.
10. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:20AM.