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Board of Education
August 23, 2022 – Regular Meeting
Via Zoom
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Alexander Oliphant, Vice Chair Mary Tomasi, Secretary
Margo Gignac, Donna Antonacci, Christopher Rivers, Rosemary Gignac, Michelle
Millington.
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Interim Superintendent Dr. Thomas McDowell,
Business Director Rachel Linkkila, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Charles Hewes, Director
of Human Resources Shannon Ramsby, Director of Technology Darren Smith, Director of
Educational Operations Mario Hurtado, Interim Director of Pupil Services and Special
Education Glenn McGrath, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Director Amy
Emory, Assistant Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Elisa Fabiszak.
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Meeting Opening
Chair Alexander Oliphant called this meeting to order at 6:01pm.
1.2 Roll Call
Chair Oliphant did a roll call to establish a quorum.
1.3 Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Oliphant led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. RECOGNITIONS
2.1 National Honor Society Community Service
Bacon Academy's National Honor Society, comprised of 22 members, completed
717 service hours this school year.
The vast majority of these hours were all done within the town of Colchester
through a number of service projects including: NHS Peer tutoring program K-12,
Bacon to Bacon trash clean up, courtyard preservation and beautification, Red
Cross blood drives, Harrington Court holiday drive, childcare at PTO meetings,
and even students supporting our staff as teacher assistants.
Dr. Hewes said he was impressed with the number of hours and thanked the
students for their service.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Evan Evans commented on the special education being for students at both ends of the
spectrum and on the registration process for new students.
4. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
Dr. Thomas Y. McDowell, Interim Superintendent, said the convocation is scheduled
for 8:00 am at Bacon Academy on Monday, August 29, 2022 and all board members
are invited. An orientation with Attorney Anne Littlefield will be scheduled for
September 14 and 15. A committee has been established to interview candidates for
the Bacon Academy principal position.
Dr. McDowell met last week with M. Gignac to discuss getting more information out
to the public through FaceBook. They will start with video introductions of the Central
Board of Education
August 23, 2022 – Regular Meeting
Office Staff. Dr. McDowell a report to members for a proposal for Special Education
and Dr. McDowell and would like to discuss the proposal this evening.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
5.1 Approval of July 26, 2022 BOE Special Meeting Minutes
Motion by: C. Rivers
to approve the July 26, 2022, Special Meeting Minutes as read.
Second by: M. Gignac.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
6. PERSONNEL DISCUSSION
6.1 Director of Human Resources Shannon Ramsby shared an update of new hires.
There have been 20 new hires since the last meeting. This year there were 42
resignations/retirements and 18 transfers.
A discussion began regarding the Special Education changes but it was determined
that this item should be discussed further on a future agenda.
7. CURRICULUM DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
7.1 Request for Disposal: End of Life IT Equipment and Electronic Waste
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to approve the request from IT to have UPYCLE USA recycle end of life IT
equipment and electronic waste.
Second by: M. Millington.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8. FINANCIAL DISCUSSION
8.1 Business Director Update
New Business Director Rachel Linkkila noted that there is an update to the Munis
System and at this time she is working on closing out the year end items. Reports
for June, July and August will be presented to the Board in September.
8.2 Facilities Use Fee Schedule for 2022-2023
Director of Educational Operations Mario Hurtado presented the facilities fee
schedule for 2022-2023 with a 2.5% increase from last year.
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to approve the recommended update for the Facilities Use Fee Schedule for 2022-
2023.
Second by: R. Gignac.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.3 To approve the AGParts Worldwide buyback proposal regarding HP and Lenovo
Laptops
IT Director D. Smith noted that there will be another buyback or general recycling
in January.
Motion by: C. Rivers
to approve the AGParts Worldwide buyback proposal or general recycling.
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Board of Education
August 23, 2022 – Regular Meeting
Second by: M. Tomasi.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
9. POLICY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
9.1 3541.44 Transportation of Students by School Employees
This is a second reading of this policy.
Motion by: D. Antonacci
to approve this policy as presented.
Second by: R. Gignac.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
9.2 6146.2 Enrollment in an Advanced Course or Program and Challenging Curriculum
As this is a first reading, no action was taken.
10. OTHER ACTION ITEMS
10.1 Discussion and Possible Action on the American Federation of State, County and
Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO Local 1302-77 of Council #4 (Custodians) Contract
(discussion proposed for Executive Session)
10.2 Discussion and Possible Action on Local 818 of Council #4 AFSCME - AFL-CIO
(Cafeteria Supervisors) Contract (discussion proposed for Executive Session)
Motion by: D. Antonacci
to go into Executive Session.
Second by: M. Gignac.
Motion by: Donna Antonacci
to amend the motion to go into executive session for discussion concerning Item 10.1
the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO Local
1307-77 of Council #4 (Custodians) contract and Item 10.2 the Local 818 of Council
#4 AFSCME, AFL-CIO (Cafeteria Supervisors) contract and to include Dr. Thomas
Y. McDowell, Interim Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Charles Hewes, Assistant
Superintendent and Shannon Ramsby, Director of Human Resources.
Second by: Margo Gignac
Roll Call: Donna Antonacci, Rosemary Gignac, Margo Gignac, Mary Tomasi,
Michelle Millington, Christopher Rivers, Alexander Oliphant
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
Executive session entered into at 7:12 pm.
Public session entered back into at 7:30 pm.
Mary Tomasi, Vice Chair, took over the meeting. Chairman Oliphant was not
present as he had lost power due to a storm. All other members were present.
Motion by: Donna Antonacci
to approve the contract between the Colchester Board of Education and the
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO Local
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Board of Education
August 23, 2022 – Regular Meeting
1307-77 of Council #4 (Custodians) (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023).
Second by: Margo Gignac
Vote: Unanimous
Roll Call: Christopher Rivers, Michelle Millington, Margo Gignac, Donna
Antonacci, Rosemary Gignac, Mary Tomasi.
Motion by: Christopher Rivers
to approve contract between the Colchester Board of Education and Local 818 of
Council #4 AFSCME, AFL-CIO (Cafeteria Supervisors).
Second by: Michelle Millington
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
Roll Call: Rosemary Gignac, Margo Gignac, Donna Antonacci, Christopher
Rivers, Michelle Millington, Mary Tomasi.
11. PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments were received.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Oliphant adjourned this Regular Meeting at 7:33 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary
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