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Board of Education
September 27, 2022 – Regular Meeting
Via Zoom
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Alexander Oliphant, Vice Chair Mary Tomasi, Donna Antonacci,
Secretary Margo Gignac, Christopher Rivers, Rosemary Gignac, Michelle Millington.
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Interim Superintendent Dr. Thomas McDowell, Assistant
Superintendent Dr. Charles Hewes, Assistant Principal Amy Begué Business Director Rachel
Linkkila
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Alex Oliphant called this Regular Meeting to order at 6:01 pm.
1.2 A roll call was called to establish a quorum. All members present.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Oliphant led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
2.1 New Agenda Items
No new items were requested.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Jennifer Cox stated that she had to search for this meeting as it is not on the Town website as
are other town meetings.
4. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
4.1 Superintendent Report
Superintendent McDowell announced that Glenn McGrath’s last day will be this Friday.
However, G. McGrath will continue to assist with hearings. Dr. McDowell said this has
been a difficult time in coping with a student death. Grief counselors are available at
BA and WJJMS.
The Special Education Supervisor position was posted on Friday. There will be no
Human Resources personnel report as S. Ramsby is not available.
4.2. Bacon Academy Principal Appointment
Superintendent McDowell noted there were eight applications for the BA Principal
position. Four candidates were invited for an initial interview. Two candidates were
brought forward for an additional interview. All three current school principals
recommended Assistant Principal Amy Begue´ or the Bacon Academy Principal position.
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to approve the administration’s recommendation of the appointment of Amy Begué to the
position of Bacon Academy Principal.
Second by: M. Gignac.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
5.1 Approval of September 13, 2022, BOE Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion by: M. Millington
to approve the September 13, 2022, Regular Meeting Minutes, as read.
Second by: D. Antonacci.
Board of Education
September 27, 2022 – Regular Meeting
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
5.2 BA Fundraising Request – Friends of Football HUDL Streaming Donation
The football games are taped and available for streaming. This donation is
towards the cost of the streaming service.
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to approve accepting the $750 donation from the Friends of Football.
Second by: D. Antonaccio.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
5.3 BA Music Fundraising Request – Lyman Orchard Pie & Cookie Dough
See Item 5.6.
5.4 BA SOAR Fundraising Request – Sweatshirt Sales
See Item 5.6.
5.5 BA Fan Cloth and Student Council Fundraising Request - BA Apparel
See Item 5.6.
5.6 BA Drama Club Haunted House Fundraising Request
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to approve Item 5.3. BA Music Fundraising request, Item 5.4 BA SOAR Fundraising
request, Item 5.5 BA Fan Cloth and Student Council Fundraising request and Item 5.6
BA Drama Club Haunted House Fundraising request.
Second by: R. Gignac.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
6. FINANCIAL DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
6.1 Business Director Update
Rachel Linkkila reviewed the monthly budget reports for July and August noting that it is
early in the budget year.
7. POLICY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
7.1 Suspension of Bylaws: 9130 Committees and 9131 Standing Committees
Policy Chair D. Antonaccio stated this would be a suspension of these policies to allow
time to try the ‘Committee as a Whole’ concept.
Motion by: M. Gignac
to suspend Policy 9130 Committees and Policy 9131 Standing Committees
Second by: R. Gignac.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
D. Antonaccio will make a note to revisit these Bylaws in six months.
7.2 6146.2 Enrollment in an Advanced Course or Program and Challenging Curriculum
This is the second reading of a new policy required by legal session and received from
Shipman Goodwin.
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to approve the new policy re: Enrollment in an Advanced Course or Program and
Challenging Curriculum.
Second by: C. Rivers.
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Board of Education
September 27, 2022 – Regular Meeting
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
Motion by: D. Antonaccio
to move Item 9 before Item 8 to allow for Public Comments prior to the Executive Session.
Second by: R. Gignac.
Vote: Unanimous approve.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
Susie Milner stated her gratitude to the Board members for bringing the Principal Search to a
quick close and S. Milner fully supports Ms. Begue.
8. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Discussion and Possible Action on Employee Leave Request (discussion proposed for
Executive Session)
Motion by: D. Antonaccio
to go into Executive Session and invite Superintendent Dr. McDowell.
D. Antonaccio amended the motion to include inviting Dr. McDowell and Assistant
Superintendent Dr. Hewes into the Executive Session.
Second by: M. Millington.
Vote: In favor: D. Antonaccio, C. Rivers, M. Millington, M. Tomasi, A. Oliphant,
Abstaining: M. Gignac, R. Gignac (both had left the meeting to go into Executive
Session)
Approved: 5-2. Time: 6:38 pm.
Chair Oliphant brought the Board out of Executive Session at 6:48 pm.
Motion by: D. Antonacci
to approve the employee’s leave request up to and including the end of the 2022-23 school year.
Second by: Rosemary Gignac
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
Moved before Item 8.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Oliphant adjourned this Regular Meeting at 6:48 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary
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