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Board of Education
April 7, 2020 – Regular Meeting –
Remote Zoom Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mary Tomasi, Vice Chair Chris McGlynn, Amy Domeika,
Suesen Hickey, Jessica Morozowich, Joanne Rose, Mitchell Koziol.
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Principal Colchester Elementary
School Principal Judy O’Meara, Jack Jackter Intermediate School Principal Elise Butson, Director
of Teaching and Learning Charles Hewes, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education
Kathleen Perry, Director of Education Operations Mario Hurtado, Director of Human Resources
Shannon Ramsby, Chief Financial Officer Maggie Cosgrove.
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Tomasi called this remote Zoom Regular Meeting to order at 4:00 pm. with a roll
call for attendance. All present.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
2.1 Citizens are invited to address the Board by emailing boardquestions@colchesterct.org or
in written form to Colchester Board of Education, 127 Norwich Avenue, Suite 202,
Colchester, Connecticut 06415. Public questions entered at least one hour prior to the
start of the meeting will be addressed if in regard to an agenda item. Other questions will
be answered in writing and added to the minutes of the meeting.
No comments were received.
3. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
3.1. Communications
A letter was received regarding the status of Spring break. At this time, it is likely to
remain in place.
3.2 Board Appreciation Discussion
Board members were grateful for the show of appreciation at the March 10, 2020 Regular
Board of Education meeting and would like to acknowledge the many students and others
involved. It was decided to make a video to say thank you.
3.3 Budget 2020-21 Timeline Update
The budget is being reviewed in detail and the Board has 30 days to move forward. A
video meeting is planned for April 15, 2020, at 7:00 pm with the Board of Finance to
present the budget.
3.4 Budget Freeze Update
The freeze is in place and each request is being reviewed by Superintendent Burt. There
will be more update in May on the impact of the closure on the current budget.
3.5 Transportation Contract Update
Superintendent Burt provided the Board with an update for M&J and LEARN contracts
in light of the Governor’s Executive Order. The district will follow the order and
renegotiate both contracts for the remainder of the year.
Board of Education
April 7, 2020 – Regular Meeting
4. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR FIRST READING
4.1 6172.6P and 6172.6R Virtual Online Courses
The above Policy and Regulation are being sent back to the Policy Committee for further
To authorize the Board Chair to sign finalized copy of the Memorandum of Agreement with Nurses on
work during the district closure as a result of the COVID19 pandemic
review.
5. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
5.1 LEARN Contract Renewal
As a result of a closure the Superintendent delayed the issuing of an RFP for special
education transportation for one year and has negotiated a one-year extension with the
district’s current vendor, LEARN, for the 2020-2021 school year.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the 2020-2021 contract with LEARN.
Second by: J. Rose.
Vote: Roll call vote was unanimous to approve.
5.2 Bacon Academy Graduation Date
The recommendation is that the Bacon Academy graduation date be set for Monday, June
15, 2020.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to set the Bacon Academy graduation date for Monday, June 15, 2020.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Roll call vote was unanimous to approve.
5.3 BOE Budget 2020-2021 Discussion
As a result of the Governor's changes to the budget process and public meetings,
the Board of Education may open the 2020-2021 budget for possible adjustment.
5.4 Approve MOA Working Agreements
A finalized copy of the Memorandum of Agreement with Nurses on work during the
district closure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic must be signed by the Board Chair.
Item tabled.
6. GRANTS/OTHER FINANCIALS
6.1 Budget Transfer over $5,000
Unexpended instructional supply budget lines are available to purchase additional
Chromebooks based on additional need among students. A document outlining the details
of this budget transfer is attached to these minutes.
Motion by: A. Domeika
to approve the budget transfer in the amount of $18,000 for the purchase of additional
Chromebooks.
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Roll call vote unanimous to approve.
6.2 Donation from Bacon Academy Parent for Baseball Field
This donation is part of a matching gift program via Benevity for the Voya company.
Motion by: A. Domeika
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Board of Education
April 7, 2020 – Regular Meeting
to accept the donation of $2795 from Bacon Academy parent Stanley Harasimowitz for
the purpose of improving the Bacon Academy baseball field.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Roll call vote unanimous to approve.
7. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT
None at this time.
8. CONTINUED DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
8.1 WJJMS Building Project Update
No discussion at this time.
9. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR SECOND READING (NONE)
10. CONSENT AGENDA
10.1 Approval of March 10, 2020 Minutes
10.2 Approval of March 10, 2020 Special Meeting Minutes
10.3 Approval of April 1, 2020 Special Meeting Minutes
10.4 Bacon Academy English Department Request for Disposal of Obsolete Materials
Motion by: J. Rose
to approve the Consent Agenda.
A. Domeika amended the motion to remove Item 10.2
Second by: J. Morozowich to the amended motion.
Vote: Roll call vote unanimous to approve.
11. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES
11.1 Policy
11.2 Budget
11.3 Personnel
11.4 Ad-Hoc Curriculum
11.5 Ad-Hoc Curriculum
No reports at this time.
12. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
No reports at this time.
13. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1 Next Meetings
Meeting Meeting Time Date Location
Policy Committee 4:00PM April 27, 2020 Virtual
Budget Committee 9:00AM May 7, 2020 Virtual
Board of Education 4:00PM May 12, 2020 Virtual
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Board of Education
April 7, 2020 – Regular Meeting
13.2 Enrollment Report for April 2020 BOE Meeting – 2294 Students for March 2020
13.3 Regulations (None at this time)
13.4 Approved Committee Meeting Minutes
13.5 Monthly Budget Reports
13.6 Health Insurance Reserve Analysis
13.7 Budget Transfer Under $5,000 (None at this time)
13.8 Bacon Academy Dual Enrollment Opportunities
Information items only, no action.
14. INFORMATION ITEMS: NON-SUBSTANTIVE POLICY CHANGES (NONE)
15. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Tomasi adjourned this meeting at 4:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary
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