Machine-extracted text of a publicly
posted document, provided for reference and search. The original document at
the link above is authoritative.
COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
BUDGET COMMITTEE
Thursday, March 5, 2020 ~ 9:00AM
Board of Education Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mitchell Koziol, Jessica Morozowich, Joanne Rose
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Director of Pupil Services and
Special Education Kathleen Perry, CFO Maggie Cosgrove, Director of Educational Operations
Mario Hurtado
OTHERS PRESENT: Chair Mary Tomasi, Assistant to the Superintendent Amy Trinnaman
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Morozowich called the meeting to order at 9:00AM
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
None.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4.1 February 6, 2020
Motion by: J. Rose
To approve the minutes of the February 6, 2020 Budget Committee meeting
Second by: M. Koziol
Vote: Unanimous
5. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
5.1 Tuition at Bacon Academy
Superintendent Burt has been meeting with regional Superintendents to develop a
standardized tuition rate for out of district students. Currently the tuition rate for out of
district students of the per pupil expenditures is above surrounding districts.
Superintendent Burt is recommending setting the regular education tuition rate at
$12,200. Although the rate will be lower, it is expected that Colchester can attract more
students as the rate will be competitive with what is charged by other districts in the
area.
5.2 CTAC program rent/MOU
Colchester has had discussions with East Haddam to establish a partnership for shared
resources for the 18-21 program. These shared resources would include leasing costs for
a shared space, and transportation necessary to enhance program opportunities. If
supported by the Board of Education, a formal MOU will be developed with legal
counsel. There is also the possibility of students from other districts attending the
program for which tuition would be charged. No additional staff is expected to be hired.
Benefits to students include a larger group of adults and peers for social learning.
5.3 Advanced Manufacturing Program
Superintendent Burt is exploring the potential to partner with Goodwin College to
establish a training center at Bacon Academy. This would provide an advanced
manufacturing path for Bacon students. Skills learned translate to industry standards.
Advanced manufacturing certificate advances a student to almost an Associate’s degree.
Robotics, plastics, welding, advanced manufacturing. No costs to improvement of
infrastructure needed at Bacon. We are also looking at summer programs for residents,
and VRABE looking at utilizing Bacon facilities to help adult learners. The new gas line
allows for development of these programs, and Joe Courtney, Pratt and Whitney,
Electric Boat are all allies in building these programs. Some programs may go down into
the Middle School so incoming Bacon students have a good foundation to graduate with
an Associate’s degree.
5.4 4/28 Election Day expenses
April 28, 2020 is Democratic primary voting day. After considering other options,
Superintendent Burt is recommending to have this be an early release day district-wide.
6. FINANCIAL REPORTS
6.1 Monthly Budget Reports
CFO Cosgrove shared the budget report through the end of February. She reiterated the
certified personnel salary budget lines as being over expended due to hiring decisions at
the beginning of the school year. The Finance department continues to monitor major
line items, and update the projected year-end expenditures. With the mild winter, there is
a likelihood that we won’t utilize the gallons of fuel that were budgeted. The line item
for legal costs is also over budget with 5 months remaining in the fiscal year. Funds have
been identified by the Administration as part of the budget freeze and are included in a
budget transfer to move the funds to the contingency line item.
6.2 Health Insurance Reserve
There have been more stop loss level claims than in prior years. The Town has also
experienced more stop loss claims, but the balance in the overall Reserve Fund is
approximately the same as at the start of the fiscal year.
6.3 Special Education Excess Cost Report
There are no changes in the Special Education Excess Cost Report from last month. We
have had significant efforts to keep students in our schools, instead of outplacements.
We have highly specialized programs and systems for doing what is right for each
individual student in the least restrictive environment.
6.4 Cafeteria Fund
CFO Cosgrove explained that this fund fluctuates significantly over the course of a year.
Revenues, payroll, and expenses are not consistent from one month to the next because
months have different numbers of school days. We have not received the free/reduced
lunch reimbursement for December and January, but that figure is known and included
in revenue amounts. Minimum wage increases may impact the cafeteria fund. Under
consideration is an online payment option for parents to pay for food service charges. A
group of parents and administrators are working together to review the online payment
options for a variety of school and extracurricular expenses.
6.5 Budget Transfers Under $5,000
CFO Cosgrove reviewed the budget transfer under $5,000 (copy of which is attached to
these minutes).
6.6 Capital reserve (No report this month)
6.7 Use of schools (No report this month)
7. OLD BUSINESS
7.1 Budget Freeze Update
As discussed earlier, several actions have been done to mitigate the budget situation.
Superintendent Burt is enacting a hard budget freeze. The only expenses that will be
authorized are those directly related to and necessary for instruction. Reductions in the
need for substitutes have been discussed.
7.2 Budget 2020-2021 Update
The Board of Education has accepted the Superintendent’s proposed budget. Next step is
the budget presentation to the Board of Finance scheduled for March 31, 2020.
8. NEW BUSINESS
8.1 Budget Transfers Over $5,000
CFO Cosgrove reviewed the budget transfers over $5,000 (copies of which are attached
to these minutes).
Motion by: M. Koziol
To accept the budget transfers over $5,000 as presented, and move the transfers to the
full BOE for approval.
Second by: M. Koziol
Vote: Unanimous
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NEW ISSUES RAISED OR SUBJECTS DEVELOPED
None.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Morozowich adjourned the meeting at 10:25AM.