MinutesDEICommittee04072021docx

COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
                             Colchester, CT



                DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE
                                   April 7, 2021 ~ 5:00 PM
                           Virtual Meeting via BoardDocs and Zoom

                                          MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Joanne Rose, Jessica Morozowich, Sue Hickey
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Director of Pupil Services &
Special Education Kathleen Perry, CES Assistant Principal Meghan Amado
OTHERS PRESENT: BOE Chair Mary Tomasi

   1. CALL TO ORDER
      Chair J. Rose called the meeting to order at 5:05PM.

   2. *ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
       None.

   3. PUBLIC COMMENT
      None.

   4. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES
      4.1 *Approval of Minutes from March 24, 2021 Meeting
          Motion by: J. Morozowich
          To approve the minutes of the March 24, 2021 DEI Committee Meeting
          Second by: S. Hickey
          Vote: Unanimous
          Roll call: S. Hickey, J. Morozowich, J. Rose

   5. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
      5.1 Discussion of Definitions, Mission Statement & Goal Development
          TABLED.

      5.2 Communication Goals
          There are five upcoming dates for DEI training, during which time there will be no
          Committee meetings. When training is completed, communication goals will include
          sharing lessons learned in specific with the DEI Committee. Resources will also be
          shared with members.

   6. REPORTS
      6.1 Committee Update
          A DEI survey is going out to all CPS employees. The focus of the survey is to gather
          information to create an action plan for NCCJ. Lisa Tatko from NCCJ and M. Amado
       met with M&J Bus Company to arrange for DEI training for bus drivers during the
       2021-2022 school year.
   6.2 Training (not at this time)
   6.3 Curriculum (not at this time)
   6.4 Hiring
       The Training, Curriculum, and Hiring subcommittees will be meeting towards the end of
       the month. Subcommittees are discussing staff training, integrating DEI into curriculum,
       and hiring protocols.

7. OLD BUSINESS
   7.1 Review of NCCJ Training Sessions
       Foundational work will begin this month. Additional administrative staff has also been
       extended invitations to be included in the voluntary training.
   7.2 Discussion on Training Materials
       ● Implicit Bias Test via Harvard University
       ● EdWeb and Leading for Equity
   7.3 Recommendations on Future Training Materials
       Committee Chair Rose solicited recommendations on future training materials. Each
       member of the Committee shared favorite authors, TV segments, etc. S. Hickey shared a
       webinar resource: Leading for Equity via EdWeb. “Courageous Conversations” was
       discussed; students are referred to as “scholars” to raise expectations. K. Perry shared
       This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism by Don Lemon. J.
       Morozowich will be watching “Like” which is offered by Youth Services.

8. NEW BUSINESS
   None.

9. ESTABLISH NEXT MEETING PRIORITIES
   There will be no meetings of the Committee until training is complete.

10. PUBLIC COMMENT
    Jeff Koonankeil of 14 Penee Lane asked what the origin of this Committee is. Was this
    created as a result of active discrimination against someone? Is diversity limited to race,
    gender identity, and sexual orientation, or are we seeking diversity in political thought and
    religious beliefs? What is meant by equity? Equal outcomes for everyone? What is meant by
    inclusion? Is there documentation that someone is being excluded from participation? Mr.
    Koonankeil expressed grave concern about NCCJ activities. Are we developing a
    curriculum to help students be successful in their post-high school career? Chair Rose noted
    comments.

11. ADJOURNMENT
   The meeting adjourned at 5:49PM.