BOEmtgOCT132020p (1)

Board of Education
October 13, 2020 – Regular Meeting
Zoom Meeting

      MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mary Tomasi, Vice Chair Chris McGlynn at 6:32 p.m., Joanne
Rose, Suesen Hickey, Jessica Morozowich, Mitch Koziol.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Amy Domeika,

ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Bacon Academy Principal Matt
Peel, William J. Johnston Middle School Principal Chris Bennet, Colchester Elementary School
Principal Judy O’Meara, Jack Jackter Intermediate School Principal Elise Butson, Director of
Teaching and Learning Charles Hewes, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Kathleen
Perry, Director of Education Operations Mario Hurtado, Director of Human Resources Shannon
Ramsby, Chief Financial Officer Maggie Cosgrove.

OTHERS PRESENT: Board of Selectmen Liaison Denise Mizla.



1. MEETING OPENING
   1.1 Call to Order
       Chair Mary Tomasi called this Regular Meeting to order at 6:03 pm with a roll call to establish
       a quorum.

2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
   No additions were requested.

3. CELEBRATIONS
   3.1 Ty Wissler named State Grade-Level Winner in Handwriting Contest
       Ty Wissler has been named State Grade-Level Winner of the 29th annual Zaner-Bloser National
       Handwriting Contest. Over 280,200 students participated in this year’s contest!

   3.2 Caitlin Bagdasarian: National Merit Commended student
       Bacon Academy Senior Caitlin Bagdasarian was named a “Commended Student” by National
       Merit Scholarship for scoring in the top 3% nationally on the PSAT’s last year.
       Caitlin joined the meeting and said she has applied to colleges to pursue a Mechanic Engineering
       education

4. PUBLIC COMMENT
   Michael DuBreuil read a letter to the Board endorsing going back to school fulltime.

5. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
   5.1 Communications
       Letter from M. DuBreuil as noted in Item 4 – Public Comment

   5.2 Draft Long-Range Instructional Recovery Plan
       Superintendent Burt and Dr. Hewes shared a draft of the Long-Range Instructional Recovery
       Plan. This is a three tiered plan using guidance from the State Health Department and the State
       Department of Education. Superintendent Burt has been in contact with other districts sharing
       thoughts, has had feedback from teachers, and is working with daycare providers.
       There is serious concern about the balance of the loss education of the children and concern
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October 13, 2020 – Regular Meeting
       over the safety of the staff. As this is budget season, there is also an impact on the budget
       from the virus.

C. McGlynn joined the meeting during this discussion.

6. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR FIRST READING (None at this time)

7. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
   7.1 Approval of 2021 BOE Meeting Dates
       The Board of Education meeting dates for 2021 were presented for approval with
       the location to be determined and the meeting time set for 6:00 pm.
       Motion by: J. Morozowich
       to approve the proposed 2012 BOE meeting dates as presented.
       Second by: S. Hickey.
       Vote:         Unanimous to approve.

  7.2 Addition of 1.0 Office Professional in Pupil Services and Special Education
      This position works with Medicare reimbursements, other legal matters to do with Pupil
      Services and Special Education. Filling in with long-term substitutes has not worked. This
      is a necessary position to fill.
      Motion by: J. Morozowich
      to approve the addition of 1.0 Office Professional in Pupil Services and Special Education.
      Second by: M. Koziol.
      Vote:        Unanimous to approve by those present.

  7.3 2020-2021 Budget Update
      Superintendent Burt met with First Selectman M. Bylone and Finance Board Chair R. Tarlov
      for an overview of priorities for next year.

  7.4 October 1st Enrollment
      October 1st 2020

             CES.       498
             JJIS.      442
             WJJMS      499
             BA         732
             BAAE         4
             CTAC         4     TOTAL:        2179

      Superintendent Burt noted that 48 students have withdrawn for home schooling. Another
      180 are doing at home learning.

8. GRANTS/OTHER FINANCIALS
   8.1 ESSER Grant
       The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER Fund) was
       established as part of the Education Stabilization Fund in the CARES Act. State educational
       agencies (SEAs) will award subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to address the
       impact that the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2029 (Covide-19) has had, and continues to have,
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Board of Education
October 13, 2020 – Regular Meeting
       on elementary and secondary schools across the nation. This grant was mistakenly reported
       to be for $189,000, and is actually $211,529.
       Motion by: S. Hickey
       to approve the ESSER Grant in the amount of $211,529.
       Second by: C. McGlynn
       Vote:        Unanimous to approve.

   8.2 Barnes Foundation Grant
       The Barnes Foundation Grant will focus on playwriting at JJIS.
       Motion by: J. Rose
       to accept the Barnes Foundation Grant in the amount of the $8,000 for playwriting at JJIS.
       Second by: M. Koziol.
       Vote:        Unanimous to approve.

   8.3 2021-2022 Budget Priorities
       Superintendent Burt reviewed the draft of the 2021-2022 year budget priorities.
       Motion by: J. Morozowich
       to approve the draft presented for the 2021-2022 budget.
       Second by: S. Hickey.
       Vote:        Unanimous to approve.

   8.4 Allowance of Rollovers: 403b Plans
       This is a plan to allow employees enrolled in previous employers’ plans to roll over to the
       available 403b plan available in Colchester.
       Motion by: M. Koziol
       to approve the amendment to the 403b plan documents is allow for rollovers.
       Second by: C. McGlynn.
       Vote:         Unanimous to approve.

9. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT (None at this time)

10. CONTINUED DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
    10.1. WJJMS Building Project: Vote to accept project as complete.
          This item was tabled.

    10.2 Pandemic impact Update
         This update will be a standing item at each meeting.
         At this time, the impact on the cafeteria fund and pay to play are concerns.

11. CONSENT AGENDA
    11.1 Notifications of Retirement
         Letters for notification of retirements have been received.

    11.2 Minutes from September 8, 2020 BOE Meeting
         Motion by: J. Morozowich
         to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
         Second by: S. Hickey.
         Vote:        Unanimous to approve.
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October 13, 2020 – Regular Meeting

12. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES
    12.1 Policy - C. McGlynn stated the next meeting for the Policy Committee is October 26, 2020,
         to prioritize new legislation and complete the 5000 series.

    12.2 Budget - J. Morozowich reported on the concern for the cafeteria fund due to loss of
         revenue, an expected insurance increase, winter weather may have an impact, so the
         budget is being watched carefully. There is $13000 -$15000 in the Stop & Shop donation
         account that will pay for a program to allow sports and other activities to be viewed
         through a subscription program.

    12.3. Personnel – no report

    12.4 – Ad-Hoc Committee – no report

    12.5 – Diversity Committee – J. Rose noted that the Ad-Hoc Equity, Inclusion and Diversity
           Committee meets every two weeks and has completed a mission statement. The focus
           group is gathering information from other agencies.

13. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
    S. Hickey noted that Colchester Collaborative for Children (C3) has revealed a new logo and is
    continuing their puzzle fundraiser. Youth First has a Learning Lounge to support WJJMS
    student study. Discussion is ongoing at Youth and Social Services for a prevention council on
    vaping and the Trick or Trunk Halloween program is scheduled to be held.

    No other reports at this time.

14. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION ITEMS
    14.1 Next Meetings

             MEETING                     DATE                  TIME        LOCATION
             Policy Committee            10/26/2020            5:30 PM     Virtual
             Budget Committee            11/5/2020             9:00 AM     Virtual
             Board of Education          11/10/2020            6:00 PM     Virtual
             Personnel Committee         12/7/2020             5:30 PM     Virtual

    14.2 Enrollment Report
          The total enrollment for October is 2179 students.
    14.3 NEASC 2 Year Report
    14.4. Approved Committees Meeting Minutes
    14.5. Monthly Budget Reports
    14.6 Cafeteria Fund
    14.7 Health Insurance Reserve
    14.8 Regulations – none at time
    14.9 Budget Transfer under $5000 - none at this time
          No action on information items.



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Board of Education
October 13, 2020 – Regular Meeting

15. INFORMATION ITEMS: NON-SUBSTANTIVE POLICY CHANGES – None at this time

16. PUBLIC COMMENT
    No comments received.

17. ADJOURNMENT
    Chair Tomasi adjourned this meeting at 7:46 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary




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