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Board of Education
March 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, Board of Finance Chair Rob Tarlov, Board of Finance Michael Egan.
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Mary Tomasi called this Regular Meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:02 pm
with a rollcall to establish a quorum. All members present.
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
No additions or changes were requested.
3. RECOGNITIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3.1 BOE Appreciation
JJIS Presentation for the BOE
JJIS VAHLs in Mrs. Leonard’s Class
JJIS Jaguar Band
Mrs. Cannata’s 1st Grade Class
Mrs. Totten’s 5th Grade Class
As this is Board Appreciation Month, students presented the Board with cards and videos
to show their appreciation.
3.2 First Grade Student Nolan Goggin
First grader Nolan Goggin saw food being wasted and began to worry about the families
in our Colchester community that might not have food. He worked with his teacher and
they discussed ways to make a difference. After learning more about the Colchester
community and the needs of those around us, all of the first grade classes decided to start
a food drive and donate the collections to the Gemma E. Moran Food Bank that services
all of New London County. The first graders worked hard to reach out to members of the
community by asking for their support with this project. The goal of the first grade
classes was to spread love by giving back. They worked hard to fill Mrs. Amado’s office
with food that was donated. They collected 1,850 items. The teachers were: Kelly
Keenan, Amy Rowe, and Meghan Barrows.
Nolan Goggin joined the meeting and spoke to the Board about his food drive, while in
line at the store and telling his Mom about the food drive, a lady overheard his
conversation and donated $200 to his project.
3.3 Kindergarten Teacher Katie Kehoegreen
Katie Kehoegreen has been a critical leader in the district’s diversity, equity, and
inclusion work. As co-chair of the district DEI committee, she has been instrumental in
facilitating meetings, organizing school-based parent focus groups, gathering resources
for staff, and guiding the committee in the development of a mission and goals, and the
Board of Education
March 9, 2021 – Regular Meeting
development of a lasting partnership with an outside organization, the National
Conference for Community and Justice. She’s helped to organize district-wide training
for staff and is working closely with the DEI curriculum subcommittee to use a tool to
evaluate how culturally responsive our curriculum is.
She has worked tirelessly at the building level as well, leading the CES DEI Committee. She
developed a list of tiered resources of a variety of mediums for staff to access to increase
their knowledge in diversity and equity work. These resources are designed to meet teachers
where they are within the work and include books, articles, videos, podcasts, etc. Katie has
written PTO grants for picture books and multi-cultural crayons to expand representation in
not only her classroom but in the school as a whole, and is working with the school
committee to add in layers of diversity, equity, and inclusion into the CARES (social
emotional learning) curriculum. She’s been a leader in the development of school-wide
projects including highlighting traditions from different cultures in the month of December
and helping to organize the celebration of Black History Month through highlighting
influential black Americans. This celebration culminated with the creation of “The Colors of
Us” wall at CES to highlight and celebrate the beauty in different skin colors.
Thanks to the dedication and leadership of Katie Kehoegreen, Colchester Public Schools
is making great gains in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
K. Kehoegreen also joined the meeting and said this was a group effort and she enjoyed
working with the administrators and teachers and is excited seeing growth and change .
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mike Caplet thanked and wants to celebrate the Board members for the time they put in,
especially this year. As a parent of the at home model for CES and JJES students, the teachers
have been fantastic and it has been an extremely positive experience for his children.
5. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
5.1 Pandemic/Vaccinations Update
Superintendent Burt said Colchester Elementary School (CES) and Jack Jackter Intermediate
(JJIS) were closed Monday after many teachers experienced side effects from recent
vaccinations. Additional teachers will have shots this Friday. Schools continue to be diligent
and keep up to date with Centers Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and
working with state and local health departments.
Graduation may be drive through again or a more traditional graduation on the football field.
5.2 Bacon Academy (BA) Senior Class Update
Principal Peel said some seniors are thriving and others are struggling. Seniors normally
carry six credits but now are only required to take the necessary credits to graduate. The
administration is paying close attention to grades and attendance. There is a process to
monitor senior progress, they can meet with a counselor, teachers and then, if necessary,
Principal Peel. The students are responding well to these meetings. This year’s seniors
have missed out on normal activities for last year and as well as limited sports. It is
difficult to do work at home so some students are coming in for ‘Wednesday Academy’
and some are in for four days when space is available.
5.3 Current Instructional Model Update
Superintendent Burt said CES and JJES students are full time, William J. Johnston Middle
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March 9, 2021 – Regular Meeting
School (WJJMS) will likely go to full time after the April vacation. Parent workshops will be
held prior to opening. BA is more difficult as the cohort system cannot be used at BA.
Lunches are a concern and classrooms are small. It is difficult to use distancing guidelines in a
high school. Other area districts are opening and Superintendent Burt will be in touch with
those districts.
Dr. Hewes shared a presentation comparing proficiency levels now and pre-Covid. There is
growth with students but there are many students who have missed instructional days that
will take time to recover. There is a greater number of students who may need significant support
than prior to Covid. There is a need to implement support and create intervention programs for
these students.
5.4 2021-2022 Budget Presentation
Superintendent Burt reviewed the proposed budget for the 2021-2022 school year. The proposed
budget is a 3.23% increase over last year for a total of $42,652,270, an increase $1,335,660.
This budget hopes to support students’ recovery from impact of pandemic, sustain current
instructional and operational programming, maintain funding for long-range planning in
facilities, technology and security, and to strengthen instructional support with possible grant
opportunities.
The Proposed 2021-2022 Budget is on the Board of Education website and questions may be
sent to budget@colchesterct.org
5.5 Communications
A letter was received from John Ambrose advocating the return to full time school at BA.
6. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR FIRST READING
6.1 Authorizing Minor Policy Edits
Superintendent Burt requested that Policy Committee consider allowing the Superintendent to
make minor adjustments to policies such as re-establishing policy series numbers, fixing
grammatical or spelling errors, and adjusting titles as needed. The Policy Committee approved
the request to forward to the full BOE for approval. The Policy Committee will be informed of
any changes in the non-substantive section of meetings; changes will also be forwarded to the
full BOE for information.
6.2 1312P General Complaint Procedures
6.3 4212.42P Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus Drivers
6.4 5111P Admissions/Placement
6.5 5145.14P On-Campus Recruitment
As these are first readings, no action was taken.
7. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
7.1 2021-2022 Healthy Food Certification Statement (ED099)
Colchester is in full compliance with the state requirements. This report is filed through
the state's online reporting system.
Motion by: J. Rose
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March 9, 2021 – Regular Meeting
to certify that the Colchester Public Schools Food Service Program meets Connecticut
Nutrition Standards for public schools.
Second by: J. Morozowich.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
7.2 Bacon Academy Graduation Date
Discussion of setting the graduation date for Bacon Academy. The last day of school is
currently June 17, 2021 and there is one built-in snow day remaining. The proposed date
of graduation is Saturday, June 19th.
Motion by: A. Domeika
to approve June 19, 2021, as Bacon Academy Graduation Day.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8. GRANTS/OTHER/FINANCIALS - None at this time.
9. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT - None at this time.
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10. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR A SECOND READING
10.1 3420P Tuition Fees
10.2 4115P Evaluation -Certified
10.3 4214P Transfer/Reassignment
10.4 5124P and 5124R Reporting to Parents
10.5 4218.4P Surveillance on School Property (Personnel)
10.6 5131.11 Surveillance on School Property (Students)
10.7 5131.911P Bullying Prevention and Intervention
10.8 5145.5P Policy Regarding Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972-Prohibition
of Sexual Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (Students)
Item 10.3 is tabled for further review.
Motion by: J. Rose
to approve Policy Items 10.1, 10.2, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 as above.
Second by: J. Morozowich.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
11. NON-SUBSTANTATIVE POLICIES - None at this time.
12. CONSENT AGENDA
12.1 Approval of February 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes
12.2 Approval of February 25, 2021 Special Meeting Minutes
12.3 Bacon Academy Request for Disposal
Motion by: M. Koziol
to approve the Consent Agenda Items 12.1, 12.2, 12.3.
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
13. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES
13.1 Policy – no meeting this month
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March 9, 2021 – Regular Meeting
13.2 Budget – J. Morozowich reported that there were not many changes. There are reductions in
in the magnet school tuition, the BA dishwasher has been installed, the Cafeteria Fund
remains about the same for projected deficit, and the Health Insurance Reserve Account
is strong.
13.3 Personnel – A. Domeika reported the committee met with Human Resources Director Shannon
Ramsby to standardize the HR report. There were 34 new hires since December 2020.
The new hires include 21 tutors, one resignation, seven retirements, one termination
and 34 FLMA requests – up 31%. Employees are 80% full time, 9% part time and 11%
temporary employees. Less than 1% are Asian/Black, 1% Hispanic and 76% are
female with 24% male employees.
13.4 Ad-Hoc Curriculum – no meeting
13.5 Ad-Hoc Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion –
“Update for the BOE “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Committee” March 9, 2021 -Two meetings were held since the last Board of
Education meeting in February. February 10, 2021 and February 24, 2021; the ad
hoc Committee reviewed a draft document; definitions of Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion and Cultural Competence. The draft document will eventually be
utilized along with an expanded definition of “Educational Equity” and The
Connecticut State BOE Five Year Plan (2016-2021) “Ensuring Equity and
Excellence for All Connecticut Students” to develop Goals for the Colchester’s
BOE ad hoc DEI Committee.
The ad hoc DEI Committee also met with a representative from NCCJ (The
National Conference for Community and Justice) located in Windsor CT for a
presentation regarding their work; trainings and consultation. Next meeting is
March 10 at 5:00pm.”
Submitted by Joanne Rose
14. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
• BA Project Grad Liaison – no report
• Board of Finance Liaison - J. Morozowich filled in for A. Domeika at the Board of Finance meeting
and was able to view the Police Department’s budget presentation learning
the needs of the Town and the Police Department.
• Board of Selectmen Liaison – no report
• Building Committee Liaison – no report
• Collaborative for Colchester’s Children (C3) Liaison – no report
• Commission on Aging – no report
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison
• Fire Department Liaison – no report
• Parks & Recreation Liaison – no report
• Police Commission Liaison – no report
• PTO Collaborative Liaison – no report
• School Readiness Council Liaison – no report
• Senior Center Liaison – no report
• Youth & Social Services Liaison - A. Domeika reported that Youth Services is considering a Learning
Lab opportunity for high school students.
15. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION ITEMS
15.1 Budget Calendar
15.2 WJJMS raises $649.32 for CT Children’s Medical Center
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March 9, 2021 – Regular Meeting
15.3 Next Meetings
MEETING DATE TIME LOCATION
DEI Committee March 10, 2021 5:00 PM Virtual
Policy Committee March 15, 2021 5:30 PM Virtual
Board of Education (workshop) March 16, 2021 6:00 PM Virtual
Board of Education (workshop) March 23, 2021 6:00 PM Virtual
DEI Committee March 24, 2021 5:00 PM Virtual
Board of Education March 30, 2021 6:00 PM Virtual
Budget Committee April 1, 2021 9:00 AM Virtual
Personnel Committee June 7, 2021 5:30 PM Virtual
15.4 Monthly Student Enrollment for March is 2204
15.5 Approved Committee Meeting Minutes
15.6 Monthly Budget Reports
15.7 Cafeteria Fund
15.8 Budget Transfers Under $5,000
15.9 Regulations – None at this time
Information items only, no action taken.
16. PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments received.
17. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Tomasi adjourned this meeting at 8:17 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary
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