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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
March 15, 2022 ~ 6:00 P.M.
ZOOM
MINUTES
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Alexander Oliphant, Vice-Chair Mary Tomasi,
Secretary Jessica Morozowich, Donna Antonacci, Margo Gignac, Rosemary Gignac,
Christopher Rivers
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Director of Teaching and
Learning Dr. Charles Hewes, Principal of Bacon Academy Matthew Peel, CFO Maggie
Cosgrove, Human Resources Director Shannon Ramsby
OTHERS PRESENT: Board of Finance Chair Andrea Migliaccio, Board of Finance Member
Michael Egan
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Oliphant called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
3. RECOGNITION/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The month of March is Board of Education Member Appreciation Month.
Superintendent Burt shared a video of Bacon Academy choir students singing and saying
thank you to Board of Education members.
4. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION//ACTION ITEMS
4.1 *2022-2023 Budget Workshop
Superintendent Burt presented budget questions submitted to the Board of Education;
all budget questions and answers are posted to the Colchester Public Schools website
under the Education Budget page. Colchester Public Schools administrators were
present to help answer questions. Superintendent Burt recommended that the Board
consider a 1.17% budget increase ($125,572) based on the recommendation of 3.0
FTE staff reduction at Bacon Academy instead of a 5.0 FTE reduction.
Superintendent Burt said he could bring forward different iterations of potential areas
of reduction based on the board’s desire. Christopher Rivers asked if the
Superintendent could speak to paraprofessionals’ roles and responsibilities and how
they are utilized. Superintendent Burt will also share historical staffing statistics.
Discussion was had in regard to the oil spill at Bacon Academy and potential budget
impact going forward. Superintendent Burt said he met with an environmental
specialist this week to discuss different remediation strategies. They have not heard
back from the insurance company yet but if funds are needed for the project that are
not covered they could potentially utilize the unfunded balance. CFO Maggie
Cosgrove said anything incurred this year would not be part of next year’s budget.
Superintendent Burt presented the proposed reorganization of the finance department.
CFO Cosgrove discussed the need for separate dedicated staff for the Board of
Education and town. The proposed reorganization would have a Business Director
and Accountant fully dedicated to the Board of Education and continue shared
benefits, payroll and accounts payable positions with the town.
For the Board of Education workshop next Tuesday, March 22, 2022, Superintendent
Burt will provide: recommended/other reductions based on different scenarios of
staffing levels at Bacon Academy for both a 1.0% and .87% budget increase, details
on paraprofessional roles, historical staffing statistics, curriculum implementation
needs and long-term plan, and finance department comparisons.
5. COMMUNICATION
Board Secretary Morozowich shared communications received from the public.
Vice-Chair Tomasi asked to hear from Board of Finance Chair Andrea Migliaccio and
Board of Finance Member Michael Egan on the budget.
Board of Finance Member Michael Egan stated he hopes to see more feedback and
participation from the public moving forward. He said there was good discussion on the
positions at Bacon Academy and how they might affect curriculum and enrollment based
on a 5.0 FTE reduction versus a 3.0 FTE reduction. Mr. Egan said the board had good
ideas in moving that forward with the 1%. He stated that at the Board of Education and
Board of Finance meetings they have been discussing the finance department
reorganization and he is looking forward to learning how the hiring process will occur.
Chair of the Board of Finance Andrea Migliaccio stated that she was surprised to learn
the Board of Education was potentially making an adjustment to a 1.17% increase but
appreciated that the board spoke to it at the meeting tonight. Ms. Migliaccio said that she
enjoyed the dialogue tonight and appreciated the finance reorganization discussion. Ms.
Migliaccio said she hoped to see more public participation as well.
Vice-Chair Tomasi asked to look at having the Board of Education Meetings on the town
website calendar as well to promote participation.
6. *PUBLIC COMMENT
2
None.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:11PM.
*POSSIBLE ACTION ITEM
3