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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
POLICY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
BOE Policy Committee Special Meeting 5:30 PM
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
MINUTES
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Donna Antonacci, Mary Tomasi, Margo Gignac
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Principal of William J.
Johnston Middle School Christopher Bennett, Colchester Elementary School Principal Judy
O’Meara, and Jack Jackter Intermediate School Principal Elise Butson
OTHERS PRESENT: None
1. CALL TO ORDER
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Antonacci called the meeting to order at 5:32PM
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
2.1 Public Comment
None.
3. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3.1 Approval of February 16, 2022 Minutes
Motion by: M.Tomasi
To approve the minutes of the February 16, 2022 Policy Committee Meeting
Second by: M.Gignac
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: Mary Tomasi, Margo Gignac, Donna Antonacci
4. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION/POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS:
POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR A FIRST READING
4.1 Series 5000P/R Attire and Hygiene
Committee discussed the attire and hygiene policy revision to bring in uniforms for
William J. Johnston Middle School and Bacon Academy. Mary Tomasi asked about first
amendment rights regarding expression. Superintendent Burt said uniform policies have
been approved. Ms. Tomasi asked if this was vetted to parents, PTOs, etc. Chair
Antonacci said she spoke to the Superintendent about doing a possible survey but wanted
to see how the committee felt. Superintendent Burt stated he spoke to administrators at
the schools and they felt if one school had uniforms, all schools should have them. He
also recommended that if the board moves forward with uniforms that it will not start
until the fall of 2023.
Margo Gignac said she has heard from parents that it would level the playing field. Ms.
Gignac said she has mixed feelings about it.
Ms. Tomasi asked how many schools in the state have a uniform policy. Superintendent
Burt said he can do research on this and bring it back to the next committee meeting.
Christopher Bennett stated he reached out to the principals group through Learn (about
30-40 members) and said the only one that responded that they did uniforms was River
Academy in East Hartford. Mr. Bennett stated that dress code is not a huge issue at
WJJMS. Colchester has a fairly strict dress code and does a good job enforcing it. Mr.
Bennett stated at most it is 1-2 kids a day. Mr. Bennett said he thinks it is a community
and Board of Education decision and would expect a lot of people to show up to debate
the issue. Chair Antonacci asked Mr. Bennett what his personal opinion was. Mr.
Bennett said for 99% of the kids 99% of the time they are dressed appropriately for
school. Mr. Bennett reiterated that he thinks it's a community and board decision.
Elise Butson said she cannot recall a dress code violation in her tenure. Ms. Butson said
she could reach out to teachers to see if they have seen anything in the classroom. Ms.
Butson said she agrees with Mr. Bennett that it is a community and board decision.
Judy O’Meara stated that she agrees with Mr. Bennett and Ms. Butson as well.
Chair Antonacci said that at the very least clothing racist in nature should be forbidden.
Superintendent Burt shared a recent survey that was done by Norwich families and
students on uniforms.
The committee asked to survey the Colchester families on their thoughts regarding
uniforms. Chair Antonacci said she will work on questions and send them to the
Superintendent.
4.2 5131.91P/R Hazing
Superintendent Burt said this was a recommendation from the Director of Teaching and
Learning Dr. Charles Hewes based on the recent Title IX investigation. The
Superintendent said there is some overlap with the bullying policy but if there is
something happening on the team as a whole it allows the district to enforce some
elements not covered. It also shows that the administration and board takes what
happened seriously and has put policies in place to control this behavior in the future.
Chair Antonacci said she would like the policy looked at further after the Title IX
investigation but does not want to wait two months to put the policy in place. The
committee asked that the policy be vetted by the board attorney as well. Superintendent
Burt will reach out to the attorney and then bring it back for a second reading for the
Committee.
4.3 6162.6P Use of Copying Devices
Superintendent Burt said there have been lawsuits recently in regard to copyrighted
material and stated this revision protects the district and the board. Superintendent Burt
said it also protects students and teachers who copy material under “fair use” law.
Motion by: M.Tomasi
To move 6162.6P Use of Copying Devices to the full board for a first reading.
Second by: M.Gignac
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: Margo Gignac, Mary Tomasi, Donna Antonacci
4.4 6162.51P Surveys of Students
Chair Antonacci said she believes if students do not want to participate in a survey they
should not have to. Margo Gignac said the language is just protecting the child that they
cannot receive a survey in regard to any of the items listed without parental consent.
Chair Antonacci said she would like to look at it again.
The committee will bring the policy back for continued discussion.
4.5 9123B Secretary of the Board
The committee discussed the changes to the policy and discussion was had in regard to
communication including social media.
Motion by: M.Gignac
To move 9123B Secretary of the Board to the full board for a first reading.
Second by: M.Tomasi
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: Margo Gignac, Mary Tomasi, Donna Antonacci
5. OTHER POLICIES REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION (NONE)
None.
6. *CONTINUED DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
6.1 3451.3P Transportation
Policy to remain under continued discussion and Superintendent and Director of
Educational Operations Mario Hurtado will bring forth future recommendations.
6.2 6115P Ceremonies and Observances
Policy tabled; Chair Antonacci will continue researching policy language.
7. *NON-SUBSTANTIVE POLICIES
None.
8. *POLICIES/REGULATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR REMOVAL
None.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NEW ISSUES RAISED OR SUBJECTS DEVELOPED
None.
10. ESTABLISH NEXT MEETING AGENDA PRIORITIES
Continue with 6000 Series including 6115P Ceremonies and Observances, 6162.51P
Surveys of Students as well as Series 5000PR Attire and Hygiene, 5131.91P/R Hazing,
and Transportation policy
11. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 6:37PM