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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
6:00 PM
Town Hall Meeting Room 1 (Hybrid)
MINUTES
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Alexander Oliphant, Vice-Chair Mary Tomasi (via Zoom),
Secretary Margo Gignac, Donna Antonacci, Rosemary Gignac, Michelle Millington, Christopher
Rivers
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Daniel P. Sullivan, III, Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Charles E. Hewes, Principal of Jack Jackter Intermediate School Elise Butson, Principal of
Bacon Academy Amy Begué, Principal of Colchester Elementary School Judy O’Meara, Principal
of William J. Johnston Middle School Christopher Bennett, Jack Jackter Intermediate School
Assistant Principal Jennifer Reynolds, Colchester Elementary School Assistant Principal Meghan
Amado, William J. Johnston Middle School Assistant Principal Stacy Ewings, Bacon Academy
Assistant Principals Melissa Cyr and Michael Mal
OTHERS PRESENT: student Board Members Brooke Dean and Ryan Moores, Business Director
Rachel Linkkila, Director of Digital Learning and Innovation Darren Smith, Director of Educational
Operations Mario Hurtado, District School Resource Officer Corporal Craig Scheel, Executive
Assistant to the Superintendent/Board Clerk Heather Petit
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Alexander Oliphant called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM
1.2 Roll Call
1.3 Pledge of Allegiance
2. STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS REPORT
2.1 Student Board Member Report
Brooke Dean and Ryan Moores
Ryan Moores and Brooke Dean gave a student board member update on happenings in the
schools. Bacon Academy held PJ & Prep Night for mid-term exams which was very
successful. Upcoming events and activities include: singing valentines from BA choir,
Interact Club Bake Sale, the SnowBall dance on February 24, 2023 at Bacon Academy and
a pep rally the day of the dance.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
2.1 For Public Comments, Please See Bylaw on Meeting Conduct
None.
4. PRIORITY DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
4.1 *Colchester Public Schools Board of Education Members Handbook
Motion by: M.Gignac
Motion to adopt the Colchester Board of Education handbook and approve changes to
Bylaws as needed when updated by the Board.
Second: R.Gignac
Roll Call: All in favor
Vote: Motion carried.
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4.2 *Authorized Signatories for Child Nutrition Programs
Motion by: M.Gignac
Motion to approve the changes for signatories for the State Department of Education Child
Nutrition Programs to include Daniel P. Sullivan, III and Business Director Rachel
Linkkila.
Second: C.Rivers
Roll Call: All in favor
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Vote: Motion carried.
5. *CONSENT AGENDA
5.1 *Board of Education Special Meeting Minutes of January 24, 2023
Motion by: M.Tomasi
Motion to approve the Board of Education Special Meeting minutes of January 24, 2023 as
presented.
Second: M.Millington
Roll Call: All in favor
Vote: Motion carried.
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6. *REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS/COMMITTEES
6.1 Reports from Board Liaisons
Board of Selectmen: Donna Antonacci reported that the Board of Selectmen
discussed the approval of a feasibility project for the fields. The First Selectman
gave an update on Jack’s Chevrolet being purchased by a third party. There is a
proposal for it to possibly house a youth center and police station.
Board of Finance: Christopher Rivers
Christopher Rivers said the Board of Finance is currently going through monthly
reports. Mr. Rivers encouraged the public to attend the Board of Finance Public
Forum on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 6:30 PM.
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P&R Parent Commission: Margo Gignac
None.
PTO Collaborative: Margo Gignac
Margo Gignac reported the first meeting will be held on Wednesday evening; more
to report at the next meeting.
C3 Collaborative: Rosemary Gignac
Margo Gignac attended in Rosemary Gignac’s stead. The Collaborative discussed
possible grant applications. They will be working with teachers at CES for their
observations.
Commission on Aging: Mary Tomasi
Mary Tomasi said the next meeting will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023 at
9:00 AM. Superintendent Sullivan will attend and introduce himself. The meeting
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will be held in Town Hall Meeting Room 1.
Youth & Social Services: Michelle Millington
Michelle Millington attended the Youth and Social Services meeting on February 1,
2023. Ms. Millington reported that Youth and Social Services have a lot of
interesting things in development including possible vaping detectors in the Bacon
Academy bathrooms.
The Board took a recess to work on technical issues at 6:40 PM.
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The Board returned from recess at 6:49 PM.
6.2 Reports from Board Committees
Chair Oliphant stated that as of last meeting, individual committees and members were
established. Committee meetings will begin to be scheduled.
7. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INFORMATION
7.1 Next Meetings
● BOE Budget Workshops: February 14 & 23, 2023
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7.2 Enrollment Report
Current enrollment for the district is 2260.
7.3 Notices of Retirement/Resignation
● Rob Meany
● Kristan Gallucci-Campbell
● Shannon Ramsby
● Lee Tighe
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
8.1 For Public Comments, Please See Bylaw on Meeting Conduct
None.
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9. REPORT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
9.1 Superintendent 2023-2024 Budget Presentation
Superintendent Sullivan thanked the Business Director Rachel Linkkila and Accountant Michelle
Marceau, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Charles Hewes, Executive Assistant Heather Petit,
principals, assistant principals, and directors for all of their work on the budget.
Superintendent Sullivan gave a budget presentation for the 2023-2024 school year budget. The
budget presentation and all supporting documents can be found on the District website at
https://www.colchesterct.org/board_of_education/education_budget.
There will be upcoming Board of Education budget workshops on February 14, 2023 and February
23, 2023 at 6:00 PM in Town Hall Meeting Room 1. The public is encouraged to attend.
10. ADJOURNMENT
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Chair Oliphant adjourned the meeting at 7:25 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Heather R. Petit
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent/Board Clerk
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