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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, January 6, 2022
BOE Budget Committee Meeting 9:00 AM
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
MINUTES
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jessica Morozowich, Marguerite Gignac, Donna
Antonacci
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, CFO Maggie Cosgrove,
Director of Digital Learning and Innovation Darren Smith, Director of Pupil Services and
Special Education Kathleen Perry, and Director of Facilities Mario Hurtado
OTHERS PRESENT: Executive Assistant to the Superintendent Heather Petit
1. CALL TO ORDER
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Morozowich called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM
2. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
Superintendent Burt asked to add three items to the agenda: 5.3 Contract Tracing Positions,
5.4 Finance Office Reorganization, and 7.2 Update on 2022-2023 Budget
Motion by: Marguerite Gignac
To approve the addition of agenda items 5.3, 5.4 and 7.2.
Second by: Jessica Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous
Role Call: Donna Antonacci, Marguerite Gignac, Jessica Morozowich
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
3.1 Public Comment
None.
4. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4.1 Approval of December 2, 2021 Minutes
Motion by: Marguerite Gignac
To approve the minutes of the December 2, 2021 Budget Committee Meeting
Second by: Donna Antonacci
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: Jessica Morozowich, Donna Antonacci, Marguerite Gignac
Chair Morozowich asked that the November 2021 Budget Committee Minutes be put on
the agenda for approval at the February meeting.
5. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
5.1 *Wireless Project Bid Approval
Director of Digital Learning and Innovations Darren Smith discussed the importance of
updating the aging wireless system in the district. The update would include all of the
buildings in the district. A survey was conducted which helped determine where
wireless access is low and areas it is still needed throughout the buildings. Three
different vendors bid on the wireless project. Insight was the best pricing with labor
through EASTCONN for a total bid of $191,583and is consortium pricing. Marguerite
Gignac inquired about the much lower cost difference between this bid and other
submissions and if this meant a significant difference in outcomes. Mr. Smith said that
there is no difference in outcomes nor in quality. Mr. Smith stated the plan is to have
this ordered by the end of January as there is often a 4-6 month lead time. The goal is to
have this in place by the end of the summer in time for next school year.This project will
be paid through the ARPA grant.
Motion by: Donna Antonacci
To approve the recommendation of the wireless project bid for Insight/EASTCONN and
forward to the full board for approval.
Second by: Marguerite Gignac
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: Jessica Morozwich, Donna Antonacci, Marguerite Gignac
5.2 Raptor Emergency Management System
Superintendent Burt discussed the Raptor system and potential utilization of the Raptor
app going forward. The district currently utilizes Raptor in all school buildings for
immediate background checks. Raptor also provides an app that works in concert with
Powerschool that he would like to purchase. With the app, every single staff member
would have the ability to call a lockdown. Notification immediately goes out to all staff
as well as an immediate notification to emergency personnel including 911. The Raptor
app also assists in reunification of students and families in a crisis situation. The app has
incredible flexibility and also assists in lockdown drills. In addition, the app includes an
attendance and visitor system. The initial implementation cost is $6,400 with a recurring
cost of $7,200. This school year the cost would be less as it would be prorated. Chair
Morozowich asked if there is any issue with teachers having this on their phones and
also with the district phone system, as it is antiquated. Superintendent Burt said this app
circumvents the schools’ phone systems. In regard to staff access, the discussion is
being had with Administrators as to whether or not it would be mandated for all staff
and any implications that might entail; however, the app itself is secure and there is no
issue to have it on staffs’ personal devices. All committee members agreed with going
forward with the app.
5.3 Contract Tracer Positions
Superintendent Burt said that the Board had approved Contract Tracer positions recently;
however, the state has since updated their guidance concerning contact tracing.
Superintendent Burt said he would like to instead use that funding to continue to fund
staff who are working with students who are quarantined for 5 days. These staff help
with distance learning management; gathering schoolwork and resources for families
whose child(ren) is/are in quarantine. The funding would primarily come from the
ARPA grant.
5.4 Finance Office Reorganization
Superintendent Burt discussed finance office reorganization. CFO Cosgrove will be
retiring in June. The Deputy CFO also recently left and most recently learned that the
Benefits/Payroll Coordinator took a position outside the district. Due to the combination
of Town/Board of Education positions, there is a potential challenge to fill these
positions. Superintendent Burt said in the reorganization we would have our own
Finance Director, accountant, and a position to help with benefits which would fall under
Human Resources. The payroll/accounts payable positions would remain shared.
Superintendent Burt said it is difficult to be competitive on the open market with
combined positions for Town and Board of Education. He recently met with the First
Selectman to discuss these changes as well. Superintendent Burt would like the Board to
have its own finance department. Superintendent Burt estimates it will be an increase of
approximately $60,000 to make these changes. He stated that we pay for a portion of
these positions already so it would be a matter of reallocating most of the funding.
Superintendent Burt said the overall reorganization will significantly increase the
district’s capacity and capabilities. Superintendent Burt stated that compared to other
districts, Colchester is woefully understaffed. Chair Morozowich agreed and had similar
concerns with filling shared positions.
Chair Morozowich recommended a comparison between staffing at Colchester and other
districts as well as a description of CFO duties be brought to the board at the next
meeting.
6. BUDGET REPORTS
6.1 Monthly Budget Reports
CFO Cosgrove presented the December 2021 budget report. CFO Cosgrove stated most
of the information is in line with where the district was in November.
6.2 Cafeteria Fund
CFO Cosgrove presented the November 2021 Cafeteria Financial Report. CFO Cosgrove
said that the cafeteria fund is going in a good direction. The current reimbursement
funding from the government has eliminated prior year concerns. CFO Cosgrove and
Superintendent Burt discussed recent staff challenges in Food Services. Chair
Morozowich asked that they let the Board know if there is any way they can help.
6.3 Health Insurance Reserve
CFO Cosgrove shared the November 2021 Health Insurance Reserve report and stated
that the report continues to reflect positive information. The district has remained steady
overall. CFO Cosgrove had a meeting with Lockton and they explained why premiums
continue to rise. CFO Cosgrove gave an overview of the contract with Lockton who is
based out of Farmington. The district pays a flat fee for their services.
6.4 Special Education Excess Cost Report
Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Kathy Perry said that this is the first
month all funds and forecasts are in. Ms. Perry said there were no new out placements
of students since the last report. Ms. Perry said currently the Board of Education deficit
between tuition and transportation is $14,750.89 which is a loss due to the state cap of
77%. Ms. Perry said this may change month-to-month based on service changes.
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
Superintendent Burt gave an update on federal grants. Superintendent Burt said there
have been some small changes since ARPA was brought forward last summer. He will
provide more detail on those changes at the February meeting.
Superintendent Burt had a nice conversation with the Agriculture Commission on the
farm to school grant and they will present to the Board on Tuesday.
7.2 Update on 2022-2023 Budget
Superintendent Burt said he will be meeting with Principals and Directors next week on
the 2022-2023 budget. He stated that currently there are 10 sections of Kindergarten
that will be moving up to First Grade. The district may need to keep 10 sections in
Kindergarten if enrollment trends continue. In addition, there are preschool and social
worker positions that are grant-funded that are planned to be moved back into the
budget. As positions were taken out of the budget for the grants, the savings from those
moves were put into the end of year funds. As the grants run out, there is a need to put
them back into the budget. Superintendent Burt stated that these positions that were put
in place are key to ensure the district can continue with needed social emotional and
academic support.
8. *NEW BUSINESS
None.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NEW ISSUES RAISED OR SUBJECTS DEVELOPED
9.1 Public Comment
None.
10. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:08 AM