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Board of Education
September 14, 2021 – Regular Meeting
ZOOM Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chair Chris McGlynn, Jessica Morozowich, Joanne Rose, Suesen
Hickey, Amy Domeika.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Mary Tomasi, Mitch Koziol.
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Bacon Academy Matthew 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 Teaching
and Learning Dr. Charles Hewes, Director of Education Operations Mario Hurtado, Director of
Human Resources Shannon Ramsby, Chief Financial Officer M. Cosgrove.
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to order.
Vice Chair Chris McGlynn called this Regular Meeting to order at 6:04 pm with a roll call
to establish a quorum.
2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Policy 1700P was requested to be added to the agenda.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to add Policy 1700P - Possession of Deadly Weapons or Firearms Policy as Item 10.1.
Second by: J. Rose.
Vote: Unanimous to approve by those present.
3. RECOGNITIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3.1 WJJMS Staff (present and past) Collaborate on History Textbook
Laura Krenicki, Grade 6 Social Studies teacher, has been collaborating with Jeremy
McKenzie, a Colchester parent and Mansfield Middle School teacher, to write a
chapter for this textbook: Understanding and Teaching Contemporary U.S. History since
Reagan. It is believed that it will be used at the college level. Former WJJMS teacher
Kate English is also working on this project. Our mission statement starts with "we" and
this is a nice example of Colchester staff and parents working together on a national level.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Evan Evans commented on the federally funded lunch program.
5. REPORT FROM SPERINTENDENT
5.1 Return to School Update
Superintendent Burt thanked the Administration and all the staff for their effort in a
fantastic start to the school year. The schools are open for a full time schedule. An
outstanding job was done with new staff. The schools are essentially fully staffed.
5.2 Pandemic Update
Reporting of Covid-19 cases will be weekly. This week four cases were reported.
Approximately 66% of the 12-18 year old group is vaccinated. Three feet separation
is in effect in classrooms and six feet apart is still in effect for bus students. If elementary
students need to quarantine, tutors will be available. For the older students, live remote
learning will be used. Superintendent Burt stated consistency is a priority.
Board of Education
September 14, 2021 – Regular Meeting
5.3 Transportation Update
Transportation remains a concern due to shortage of drivers in every district. Bus runs
are being combined causing extra time on the bus for students. Superintendent Burt is
in touch with M&J Bus Company and lobbying the Governor to possibly help with
licensing procedures to hire more bus drivers. It takes up to twelve weeks to receive a
license. It is possible that sports may be impacted.
5.4 Enrollment Update
At this time there are 2,245 students enrolled in the school system. There are 200
kindergarten students with ten sections, up from eight previously.
5.5 Communications
A letter was received in support of the mask mandate.
6. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR FIRST READING
6.1 4118.11P Nondiscrimination (Personnel)
6.2 4118.112P Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (Personnel)
6.3 4112.5P Employment Checks
The above items were tabled.
7. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
7.1 Colchester BOE paraprofessionals Cafeteria Workers SIDE Letter regarding time
insurance for probationary employees.
Motion by: A. Domeika
to approve the SIDE letter regarding the change in employment time to be eligible for
insurance.
Second by: J. Rose.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
7.2 Superintendent Evaluation Process
This item will be tabled for review by the Personnel Committee.
7.3 Budget Process Update
Superintendent Burt stated he would like to bring budget priorities to the Budget
Committee and the Board meetings in October. He would also like to find ways to make
the budget more transparent, possibly using videos.
8. GRANTS/OTHER FINANCIALS
8.1. ARPA Grant Update
The American Rescue Plan Act Grant has been approved. The HVAC system along with
other items to be considered are in a plan that is available on the website.
9. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT
9.1 CSDE Flexibilities for Educator Evaluation
Dr. Hewes said last year the State Department of Education (CSDE) allowed flexibilities
for teachers’ evaluations due to the limited time during the pandemic. The Colchester Public
Schools Professional Development and Evaluation Committee (PDEC) approved the
flexibilities plan. Districts have been given the option to accept the flexibilities for the 2020-
2021 school year.
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Board of Education
September 14, 2021 – Regular Meeting
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to accept the Flexibilities for Implementing the CT Guidelines for Educator Evaluation
2017 for the 2021-2022 School Year.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
10. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR A SECOND READING
10.1 Policy 1700P Possession of Deadly Weapons or Firearms.
This policy follows the state law.
Motion by: J. Rose
to approve Policy 1700P as presented.
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
11. POLICIES RECOMMENDED FOR REMOVAL (None at this time)
12. NON-SUBSTANTIVE POLICIES (None at this time)
13. CONSENT AGENDA
13.1 Approval of August 10, 2021 BOE Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the August 10, 2021, BOE Regular Meeting minutes eliminating the
information for 5.3 as it is incorrect and adding A. Domeika as present.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
14. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES
14.1 Policy – C. McGlynn said a meeting is scheduled for September 20, 2021, at 6:15 pm.
14.2 Budget – J. Morozowich reviewed budget items and noted the 2020-2021 unaudited budget
balance is over $400,000 that will be placed in the Capital Improvements to go
toward the remediation of the oil tanks at BA. There are large capital improvements
that will be necessary in the near future.
14.3 Personnel – A. Domeika reported the committee will meet September 20, 2021, at 5:30pm.
14.4 Ad-Hoc Curriculum – Dr. Hewes said the Math Curriculum will be reviewed later this year.
14.5 Ad-Hoc Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - The BOE ad hoc "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion"
Committee met on September 8, 2021,Superintendent Burt provided an update of the District
DEI Committee. The district committee will be merged with the School Climate Committee
Draft goals for the BOE ad hoc DEI Committee were reviewed. A subgroup of the Committee
will review goals and indicators prior to the next meeting. Future meeting dates: the second
Wednesday of each month at 5:00pm. Submitted by Joanne Rose
15. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
15.1 Listing of Board Liaisons
1. BA Project Grad Liaison – No report.
2. Board of Finance Liaison – No report.
3. Board of Selectmen Liaison – No report.
4. Building Committee Liaison – No report.
5. Collaborative for Colchester’s Children (C3) Liaison - S. Hickey said the Annual
Meeting will be held on September 20, 2021 ats 6:30 pm.
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Board of Education
September 14, 2021 – Regular Meeting
6. Commission on Aging – no report.
7. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison – J. Rose the Town Ad-Hoc Committee was
approved at a town meeting. The Board of Selectmen is accepting applications for
membership.
8. Fire Department Liaison -no report.
9. Parks & Recreation Liaison – A. Domeika said an informational meeting for the
playground will be held at the RecPlex on September 16, 2021, at 6:00 pm.
10. Police Commission Liaison – no report.
11. PTO Collaborative Liaison – no report.
12. School Readiness Council Liaison – no report.
13. Senior Center Liaison – In M. Tomasi’s absence, J. Morozowich said the Senior
Center referendum is coming up and the committee is looking to get the information
to the public including parents of students.
14. Youth & Social Services Liaison – no report.
16. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION ITEMS
16.1. Next Meetings
MEETING DATE TIME LOCATION
Policy Committee September 20, 2021 5:00 PM Virtual
Budget Committee October 7, 2021 9:00 AM Virtual
Board of Education October 12, 2021 6:00 PM Virtual
Personnel Committee December 6, 2021 5:30 PM Virtual
DEI Committee TBD Virtual
16.2 Donation of School Supplies by Turner Home Improvement
16.3 Monthly Student Enrollment is at 2445 students.
16.4 Approved Committee Meeting Minutes
1. Budget Committee: June 17, 2021
2. Personnel Committee: August 3, 2021
3. DEI Ad Hoc Committee: April 7, 2021
16.5 Monthly Budget Reports
16.6 Cafeteria Fund
16.7 Budget Transfers under $5,000 (None at this time)
16.8 Notices of Retirement/Resignation
1. Linda Kurczy
2. Jill Thompson
3. Marie Center
16.9 Regulations (None at this time)
Information items only, no action taken.
17. PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments received.
18. ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair McGlynn adjourned this Regular Meeting at 7:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary
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