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Board of Education
August 10, 2021 – Regular Meeting
ZOOM Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mary Tomasi, Vice Chair Chris McGlynn, Jessica Morozowich,
Joanne Rose.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Suesen Hickey, Mitch Koziol.
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Colchester Elementary School
Principal Judy O’Meara, Jack Jackter Intermediate School Principal Elise Butson, William J.
Johnston Middle School Principal Chris Bennett, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education
Kathleen Perry, Director of Education Operations Mario Hurtado, Director of Human Resources
Shannon Ramsby, Chief Financial Officer M. Cosgrove, Youth and Social Services Director
Valerie Geato, Coalition Coordinator Charity Benedict, District Nutrition Program Coordinator
Leanne Ranheim.
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order.
Chair Mary Tomasi called this Regular Meeting to order at 6:05 pm with a roll call to
establish a quorum.
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Superintendent Burt requested the following additions to the agenda:
Final Draft of BOE Goals as Item 7.6, Office Professionals Contract as Item 7.7, IT Request for
Disposal as Item 13.4, CES Request for Disposal as Item 13.5, Regular Meeting Minutes of July
13, 2021, as Item 13.6, and Special Meeting Minutes of July 13, 2021, as Item 13.7.
Motion by: C. McGlynn
to add Items to the agenda as requested.
Second by: J. Rose.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
3. RECOGNITIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3.1 Welcome our new SRO: Craig Scheel
School Resource Officer Craig Scheel was introduced to the Board members.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
No comments received.
5. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
5.1 Pandemic Update
Superintendent Burt stated there will be full day classes for all, no voluntary at home
learners this year. Tutors will continue if a student has to be isolated. Vaccination is not
required nor proof of vaccination for school. Masks will be required on the buses, and at
this time until September 30, masks will be required in the classroom. Classroom
spacing is down to three feet from six feet. It is hoped that students will be back in the
cafeteria at the elementary level but the high school will take more planning.
5.2 Meals Update for School Year 2021-2022
Leanne Ranheim, noted that the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has
approved free meals again for all students for the 2021-2022 school year. Last year saw
a large increase in breakfast and lunch numbers.
Board of Education
August 10, 2021 – Regular Meeting
5.3 CPS DEI Committee Update
J. Rose noted that Colchester Public Schools Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
submitted a proposal to the Board of Selectmen and it has been approved to move forward
to a Town meeting.
5.4 Communications
A message from ‘Unmask Our Kids’ was received as well as one email in favor of
wearing masks and one against wearing masks.
6. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR FIRST READING
6.1 Summary of Policy Updates since 2018
The Board of Education (BOE) has reviewed and updated 163 out of 288 (57%) policies
and Bylaws since September 2018.
6.2 1700P Possession of Deadly Weapons or Firearms
As this policy is a first reading, no action was taken.
7. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
7.1 Approval of Addendum to Purchasing Policy – Federal Uniform Guidance Requirements
This is an addendum that must be followed when using federal grant monies.
Motion by: C. McGlynn
to approve the Purchasing Policy (3320P) addendum and the procurement standards document
as an appendix.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
7.2 Youth First Student Surveys
RE: SEARCH Institute’s Developmental Assets Program. BOE members/School
Administration were involved in the planning for the Drug Free Communities grant (back
in 2018-2019). The plan was to administer a Developmental Assets survey in four grades
every two years. The developmental assets program is closely tied in with social emotional
learning. Youth First received funding to administer the survey to 1000 students. V. Geato
and C. Benedict reviewed the survey process.
Motion by: A. Domeika
to approve administration of Youth First Student Surveys.
Second by: J. Morozowich.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
7.3 Approval of Registered Behavior Technician Position Description.
The Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is a paraprofessional who practices under
the close, ongoing supervision of the district’s Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
The draft of a job description was reviewed by the Board.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the Registered Behavior Technician position description.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
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Board of Education
August 10, 2021 – Regular Meeting
7.4 Paraprofessional Contract Discussion Regarding Health Insurance
This contract was reviewed and will move forward to the Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) process and then brought back to the Board for action.
7.5 Contracts Review Regarding Maternity Leave Requests
This contract has been updated and will be brought back to the Board as an MOU for
action.
7.6 Final Draft of Board of Education Goals
Minor changes were presented and reviewed for BOE goals for 2021-2023. A Special
Meeting may be called in October to review the goals to date.
7.7 Office Professionals Contract
This contract was ratified by the union last week and will be effective on day of Board
approval through June 30, 2024.
Motion by: A. Domeika
to approve the Office Professionals Contract effective August 10, 2021, through
June 30, 2024.
Second by: J. Rose.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8. GRANTS/OTHER FINANCIALS
8.1 ARPA Grant Update
Superintendent Burt held two workshops for feedback and prepared a video to highlight
the grant. Response was sparse and the paperwork has been submitted for the grant.
8.2 Budget Transfer Over $5,000 – Food Service
A transfer is being requested of $43,305 to cover the losses in the Food Service
Department due to the pandemic.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the budget transfer in the amount of $43,305 to over the losses in the Food
Service Department due to the pandemic.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
9. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT (Not at this time)
10. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR A SECOND READING
10.1 9325B Meeting Conduct
Minor changes recommended by Connecticut Association of Boards of Education
(CABE).
Motion by: J. Rose
to approve revisions to 9325B Meeting Conduct.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
11. POLICIES RECOMMENDED FOR REMOVAL
11.1 9400B Monitoring Products and Processes
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Board of Education
August 10, 2021 – Regular Meeting
As this policy is redundant, it was recommended to be removed.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to remove Bylaw 9400B Monitoring Products and Processes.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
12. NON-SUBSTANTIVE POLICIES (Not at this time)
13. CONSENT AGENDA
13.1 Bacon Academy Request for Disposal (Business textbooks)
13.2 Bacon Academy Request for Disposal (FCS program
13.3 Bacon Academy Request for Disposal (Social Studies textbooks)
13.4 Tech Request for Disposal (Tech items)
13.5 CES Request for Disposal (Grade 1 Science materials)
13.6 July 13, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes
13.7 July 13,2 021 Special Meeting Minutes
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to table Item 13.6 Regular Meeting Minutes of July 13, 2021, and approve the
remaining items on the Consent Agenda as presented.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
14. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES
14.1 Policy - None
14.2 Budget - None
14.3 Personnel - None
14.4 Ad-Hoc Curriculum - None
14.5 Ad-Hoc Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – J. Rose -next meeting is September 8, at 5:00 pm.
15. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
15.1 Listing of Board Liaisons
1. BA Project Grad Liaison
2. Board of Finance Liaison
3. Board of Selectmen Liaison
4. Building Committee liaison
5. Collaborative for Colchester’s Children (C3) Liaison
6. Commission on Aging
7. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison – J. Rose said the Town AdHoc DEI Committee
recommendations were approved by the Board
of Selectmen to move to a Town Meeting
8. Fire Department Liaison
9. Parks & Recreation Liaison
10. Police Commission Liaison
11. PTO Collaborative Liaison
12. School Readiness Council Liaison
13. Senior Center Liaison
14. Youth & Social Services Liaison
No other reports at this time.
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Board of Education
August 10, 2021 – Regular Meeting
16. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION ITEMS
16.1 Next Meetings
MEETING DATE TIME LOCATION
Policy Committee August 19, 2021 5:00 PM Virtual
Budget Committee September 2, 2021 9:00 AM Virtual
Personnel
September 13, 2021 5:30 PM Virtual
Committee
Board of Education September 14, 2021 6:00 PM Town Hall
DEI Committee TBD Virtual
16.2 Monthly Student Enrollment -
16.3 Approved Committee Meeting Minutes
16.4 Head Start Program Letter
16.5 Monthly Budget Reports - None at this time.
16.6 Cafeteria Fund – None at this time.
16.7 Budget Transfers Under $5,000 – None at time.
16.8 Notices of Retirement/Resignation
16.9 Regulations – None at this time.
Information items only, no action taken.
17. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to go into Executive Session to discuss a Staff Request for a Leave of Absence
and to invite Superintendent Burt and Director of Human Resources Shannon Ramsby into
the session.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve. Time: 7:59 pm.
Chair Tomasi brought the Board out of Executive Session at 8:04 pm.
See below for action.
18. POSSIBLE ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by: A. Domeika
to approve the staff request for a Leave of Absence.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
19. PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments received.
20. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Tomasi adjourned this meeting at 8:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary
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