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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
AD HOC DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
5:00 PM
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT: Rosemary Gignac, Jessica Morozowich, Christopher Rivers
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Meghan Amado
OTHERS PRESENT: Board of Education Vice Chair Mary Tomasi, Board of Education Member
Donna Antonacci
1. CALL TO ORDER
Christopher Rivers called the meeting to order at 5:02PM.
2. *ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
None.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
4. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
4.1 *Selection of Committee Chair
Motion by: J. Morozowich
To select Christopher Rivers as Chair of the Ad Hoc DEI Committee
Second by: R.Gignac
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: R.Gignac, Jessica Morozowich, Christopher Rivers
4.2 Discussion: Meeting Organization
Discussion was held on the committee meeting schedule going forward. It was
decided that the Ad Hoc DEI Committee would meet bi-monthly on the third
Wednesday of the month at 5:00 PM.
4.3 Review and Update on BOE Ad Hoc DEI Committee and Goals
The Committee reviewed the October 2021 revised DEI goals. Jessica Morozowich
gave an overview of past work of the committee. J.Morozowich stated that the
committee worked on the goals after taking National Conference for Community and
Justice (NCCJ) training and looking at the state’s DEI document (5-year outlook). The
goals were developed with a small writing committee with the intention to speak to
DEI and also align with the district’s mission and vision. The committee then started
to develop action steps, starting with Goal 2: The Board of Education supports the
academic, social, emotional and physical health needs of students so that they can
thrive. They viewed Goal 2 as an immediate need due to Covid, et al.
Chair Rivers stated he agreed that in collaboration with the Superintendent, Goal 2
was the next step forward. Chair Rivers stated he would like to have steps available
for the public on how the work is moving forward. Jessica Morozowich stated it
would be important for the new committee to review the goals and see if any changes
need to be made and then share them with the full board and public. Jessica
Morozowich said it is important to understand the Board’s role versus the
administration’s role in the work as the board should not be implementing work
directly in the schools. The committee decided immediate steps forward will be to
review the goals, work on any changes, bring them to the full board for awareness,
and start on an action plan.
Jessica Morozowich stated that it would be helpful to have a quick report from the
district’s DEI committee at their meetings and would also like to recruit families and
the community for their input. Meghan Amado said she would be happy to provide
an update at meetings from the district’s committee.
It was agreed that it would be important to share resources with board members going
forward that are relevant to the work.
5. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5.1 *Approval of Minutes from November 10, 2021 Meeting
Motion by: J. Morozowich
To approve the minutes of the November 10, 2021 DEI Committee Meeting
Second by: R.Gignac
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: Jessica Morozowich, Rosemary Gignac, Christopher Rivers
6. OLD BUSINESS
None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
None.
8. ESTABLISH NEXT MEETING PRIORITIES
The committee will review goals and create action steps going forward. Chair Rivers said he
would like to work with the policy committee on policies relevant to student names and how
students choose to be identified.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
Donna Antonacci said she would look at policies relevant to this work.
Rosemary Gignac stated she had put a document together on this work that she will share
with the committee.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:34 PM.