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Board of Education
February 8, 2022 – Regular Meeting
Zoom Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Alexander Oliphant, Vice Chair Mary Tomasi, Donna Antonacci,
Maguerite Gignac, Rosemary Gignac, Jessica Morozowich, Christopher Rivers.
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Bacon Academy Principal
Matt Peel, Colchester Elementary School Principal Judy O’Meara, William J. Johnston Middle
School Principal Chris Bennett, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Kathleen
Perry, Director of Teaching and Learning Charles Hewes, Director of Technology Darren Smith,
Director of Education Operations Mario Hurtado, Chief Financial Officer M. Cosgrove.
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Alexander Oliphant called this Regular Meeting to order at 6:02 pm with a roll call
to establish a quorum.
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
2.1 New Agenda Items
No additions or changes were requested.
3. RECOGNITIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3.1 Welcome New Board Member Christopher Rivers
Superintendent Burt welcomed C. Rivers to the Board.
3.2 Colchester Senior Center Thanks JJIS Students
A letter was received from Senior Center Director Patricia Watts thanking the students at
JJES for their generous donations to the Holiday Box Project.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Seth Breitmaier commented on the upcoming decision regarding masks.
Patrick Walsh commented on the time it took for an investigation of an incident that happened
about three months ago.
Joseph Torneo commented on data availability in reference to wearing masks.
5. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
5.1 Pandemic Update
Superintendent Burt said the Board will hold a Special Meeting soon to discuss the
direction for masks and will share all the communications that have been received in
reference to wearing masks. Information is being sent by the Department of Health.
5.2 Grants Update
Dr. Hewes reviewed the various grants the district receives noting the amount, the
award period and the expenditures from those grants.
5.3 2022-23 Budget & CIP Update
A review of the budget revealed reductions in some areas such as employee insurance,
and increase in costs in others such as oil, transportation.
Board of Education
February 8, 2022 – Regular Meeting
5.4 Communications
Correspondence was received regarding a complaint filed with the state regarding a student’s
program.
6. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR FIRST READING
6.1 6141.2PR Recognition of Religious Holidays
6.2 6145.6P Travel and Exchange Programs
6.3 4111.1P Equal Employment Opportunity
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to approve with changes discussed.
Second by: D Antonacci.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
6.4 9271B Code of Ethic/9272B Code of Conduct
No action was taken on Items 6.1, 6.2 or 6.4. These items will be on the next agenda for
a second reading.
7. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
7.1 Revise BOE Committee Assignments
C. Rivers will chair the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, be a member of the
Budget Committee and a Liaison to the Parks & Recreation Commission. M. Gignac will
be a member of the Personnel Committee and J. Morozowich will be the Liaison to C3.
7.2 Underground Storage Tank at BA
M. Hurtado is researching the possibility of an underground tank due to physical restrictions
for an above ground tank. If approved, the tank should be installed this summer.
7.3 Discussion on Heating Oil Purchasing
Oil prices are locked in for the year and a decision to lock in now or wait was discussed.
7.4 Revised Preschool Long-Range Plan
Superintendent Burt reviewed the revised configuration of the preschool classrooms.
7.5 BA Jazz Band Field trip to UMASS Amherst Jazz Festival
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to approve the Bacon Academy field trip request for the Jazz Band to attend the UMASS
Amherst Jazz Festival on Saturday April 9, 2022.
Second by: M. Gignac.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
7.6. Robotics Team Field Trip to Western NE University for First Robotics Competition
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to approve the field trip for the Bacon Academy Robotics Team to Western New England
University for the First Robotics Competition March 18-20, 2022.
Second by: M. Gignac.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
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Board of Education
February 8, 2022 – Regular Meeting
8. GRANTS/OTHER FINANCIALS
8.1 Set Tuition Rate
The Board of Education permits non-resident students from other school districts to attend
local schools when they can be accommodated in existing classes. The students or their
sending district shall pay a tuition fee to be established annually by the Board of Education.
Superintendent Burt is recommending keeping the tuition the same as last year.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to set the tuition rate for the 2022-2023 school year at $12,200.
Second by: M. Tomasi.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.2 Budget Transfers over $5,000 (none)
8.3 Donation from Carolina Precision Technologies
Principal Peel noted that this is a very competitive program. The Robotics Team is not
funded through the budget and is a very expensive program. Teams need materials, work
long days that includes food as well as food, lodging and uniforms for competitions.
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to accept the $1,000 donation from Carolina Precision Technologies to the Bacon
Academy Robotics Club
Second by: C. Rivers.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
9. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT
None at this time.
10. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR A SECOND READING
10.1 1120P Public Participation at Board of Education Meetings
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to approve Policy 1120P Public Participation at Board of Education Meetings.
Second by: R. Gignac.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
11. POLICIES RECOMMEND FOR REMOVAL
11.1 5000.3T Transportation
This policy was a temporary policy for Covid-19 related issues.
Motion by: M. Gignac
to remove Policy 5000.3T Transportation
Second by: J. Morozowich.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
12. NON-SUBSTATIVE POLICIES
12.1 4118.5P Employee Use of District’s Computer System
This is only a number change to the Policy.
13. CONSENT AGENDA
13.1 Approval of January 11, 2022, BOE Regular Meeting
13.2 Approval of January 13, 2022, BOE Special Meeting
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Board of Education
February 8, 2022 – Regular Meeting
13.3 Approval of January 18, 2022, BOE Special Meeting
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Second by: D. Antonacci.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
14. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES
14.1 Policy – No further report
14.2 Budget – No further report
14.3 Personnel - No report
14.4 Ad-Hoc Curriculum
14.5 A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – No date has been set.
No further reports from the above committees.
15. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
15.1 Reports from Board Liaisons
BOF Liaison M. Gignac stated a forum will be held February 9, 2022, for the
budget discussion and there is a survey regarding the budget on the Town website.
CoA Liaison M. Tomasi noted the Commission on Aging is moving ahead with the
Community Health Fair to be held at WJJMS in May.
16. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION
16.1 Next Meetings
Board of Education March 8, 2022 6:00 PM Virtual
Policy Committee February 16, 2022 5:30 PM Virtual
Budget Committee March 3, 2022 9:00 AM Virtual
Personnel Committee February 28, 2022 5:30 PM Virtual
Ad-Hoc Curriculum
May 3, 2022 6:00 PM Virtual
Committee
16.2. Monthly Student Enrollment for February is 2272 students.
16.3 Approved Committee Meeting Minutes
16.4 Monthly Budget Reports
16.5 Cafeteria Fund
16.6 Regulations (None at this time)
16.7 Budget Transfer Under $5,000
16.8 Notices of Retirement/Resignation
Information items only, no action taken.
17. PUBLIC COMMENT
Board of Finance Liaison M. Eagan noted the budget meetings for the Board of Finance
will be February 23, to discuss the BOS budget and March 15 and March 22 to discuss the
Board of Education budget.
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Board of Education
February 8, 2022 – Regular Meeting
18. EXECUTIVE SESSION
18.1 Staff Request for Leave of Absence
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to go into Executive Session to hear a Staff Request for Leave of Absence and to invite
Superintendent Burt.
Second by: M. Gignac
Vote: Unanimous to approve. Time: 7:51 pm.
Chair Oliphant brought the Board out of Executive Session at 7:54 pm.
See below for action.
19. POSSIBLE ACTION OF LEAVE REQUEST
Motion by: M. Gignac
to approve the staff request for unpaid leave of absence.
Second by: M. Tomasi.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
20. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Oliphant adjourned this meeting at 7:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary
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