MinutesDEICommittee03102021docx (1) (1)

COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
                              Colchester, CT


                 DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE

                                   March 10, 2021 ~ ​5:00 PM
                            Virtual Meeting via BoardDocs and Zoom

                                            MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT:​ Chair Joanne Rose, Jessica Morozowich, Amy Domeika
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: ​Director of Pupil Services & Special Education Kathleen Perry
OTHERS PRESENT:​ BOE Chair Mary Tomasi, CES Teacher Katie Kehoegreen

   1. CALL TO ORDER
      Chair J. Rose called the meeting to order at 5:18PM.

   2. ​*ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
        None.

   3. ​PUBLIC COMMENT
       None.

   4. ​*APPROVAL OF MINUTES
       4.1 *Approval of Minutes from February 24, 2021 Meeting
           Motion by: ​A. Domeika
           To approve the minutes of the February 24, 2021 DEI Committee Meeting
           Second by: ​J. Morozowich
           Vote: ​Unanimous
           Roll call:​ A. Domeika, J. Morozowich, J. Rose

   5. ​*PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
       5.1 *Discussion of Training
           Chair Rose shared that the Committee has $5,650 budgeted for training. The Committee
           reviewed a proposal from the National Conference for Community & Justice on the
           ways in which the training programs provided by NCCJ can inform and facilitate the
           diversity, equity, and inclusion work of the Board. Priorities for training were discussed.
           Motion by: ​J. Morozowich
           For the Committee to enter into an agreement NCCJ for the purpose of scheduling 4-5
           trainings with NCCJ before June 30th:
                ● "Foundational Work"
                ● "White Privilege - Does Being White Make a Difference?"
                ● "Microaggressions and Skill Building"
                ● "Courageous Conversations" and
           ● "Do you know the Language Around Gender?"
       Second by: ​A. Domeika
       Vote: ​Unanimous
       Roll call:​ A. Domeika, J. Morozowich, J. Rose

   5.2 *Review of Definitions, Mission Statement & Goal Development
       The Committee reviewed several documents on definitions, mission statement, and goal
       development.
       Motion by: ​A. Domeika
       To establish a subcommittee to work on draft goals to bring back to the larger committee
       for review.
       Second by: ​J. Morozowith
       Vote: ​Unanimous
       Roll call:​ A. Domeika, J. Morozowich, J. Rose

   5.3 Discussion on Inviting Guests and Diversifying Input
       The Committee discussed that inviting guests and diversifying input will be a priority
       once initial training and goal development are established. This agenda item will be
       addressed at a later date.

   5.4 Communication Goals
       The Committee discussed establishing a media presence about DEI work that is
       happening in districts across the state. Newspaper articles, community conversations,
       use of social media, and sharing the work of the Committee with the First Selectman
       were discussed. The goal is for the community to understand that this work is being
       done.

6. ​REPORTS
    6.1 Committee Update
        A survey will be sent shortly to all staff and M&J bus employees; focus groups are
        planned for the near future.
    6.2 Training
    6.3 Curriculum
    6.4 Hiring

7. ​OLD BUSINESS
    7.1 Discussion on Training Material
    7.2 Recommendations for Future Training Materials
        In future meetings, the Committee will share good resources and training materials at
        this time.

8. ​NEW BUSINESS
    None.

9. ​ESTABLISH NEXT MEETING PRIORITIES
    1. Review draft goals
    2. Discuss NCCJ proposal
10. ​PUBLIC COMMENT
     None.

11. ​ADJOURNMENT
  The meeting adjourned at 6:30PM.