BOEmtgOCT122021 (1)

Board of Education
October 12, 2021 – Regular Meeting
Zoom Meeting

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mary Tomasi, Vice Chair Chris McGlynn, Jessica Morozowich,
Joanne Rose, Suesen Hickey, Amy Domeika.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Suesen Hickey, Mitch Koziol.

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


1. MEETING OPENING
   1.1 Call to Order
       Chair Mary Tomasi called this Regular Meeting to order at 6:02 pm with a roll call of
       members to establish a quorum.

2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
   No additions or changes were requested.

3. RECOGNITIONS/ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
   3.1 BA Student Named Commended Student in National Merit Scholarship
       Bacon Academy Senior Michael Barnett has been named a Commended Student in the
       National Merit Scholarship competition, based on junior year PSAT scores. Of 3.4 million
       test takers nationwide, 34,000 high scorers will be named Commended Students and will
       receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise.

      Michael Barnett stated he will attend college to pursue a degree in computer science.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT
   No comments were received.

5. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
   5.1 Pandemic Update
       Superintendent Burt reported the Covid numbers are dropping. JJIS has had several cases
       that are not related. Students that are non-symptomatic do not have to quarantine if
       vaccinated. Non-vaccinated staff are testing once a week, 97% of the staff is fully
       vaccinated. The Governor’s mandate for masks has been extended to February. At this time
       the school facilities are open for outside groups to use.

   5.2 Transportation Update
       Transportation continues to see the same issues. There has been no information from the
       State to remediate the situation. M&J Bus Company is seeking new drivers. This is not a
       Colchester issue but a statewide one. The combined bus runs do receive a credit.
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October 12, 2021 – Regular Meeting

   5.3 Capital Improvement Plan Update
       The School Resource Officer, Resident State Trooper and Director of Education
       Operations M. Hurtado have reviewed the safety plans and an update is necessary for the
       school buildings, except WJJMS. There is an inspection each year but this will be a look
       into the future and in the updated long range improvement plan.

   5.4 Communications
       A letter was received from Seth Breitmiaer stating support for extending the mandatory
       mask use in Colchester schools.

6. POLICIES/REGULATION FOR FIRST READING
   6.1 0521P Nondiscrimination (Community/Board Operations
   6.2 1800P Green Cleaning Programs
   6.3 1330P Use of School Facilities
   6.4 1212P Volunteers, Student Interns, and Other Non-Employees
   6.5 12 50P Visitors and Observations in Schools
   6.6 4112.5P Employment Checks
   6.7 4118.11P Nondiscrimination (Personnel)
   6.8 4118.112P Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (Personnel)
   6.9 3541P Transportation
   6.10 5124.1P Student Privacy Policy (PPRA)
   6.11 5131.911P Bullying Prevention and Intervention
   6.12 5145.4P Nondiscrimination (Students)
   6.13 5145.5P Policy Regarding Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972-Prohibition of
                Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (Students)
                Above policies were reviewed. As this is the first reading, no action was taken.

7. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
   7.1 Proposed BOE Meeting Dates for 2022
       Superintendent Burt presented a proposed list of meeting dates for 2022 for review.
       Motion by: J. Rose
       to approve the proposed list of dates for 2022.
       Second by: J. Morozowich.
       Vote:        Unanimous to approve.

  7.2 Goodwin University Early College Advanced Manufacturing Pathway (ECAMP)
      Superintendent Burt presented a proposal from Goodwin University to form a partnership
      with Goodwin to develop a manufacturing course offering a certificate program.

  7.3 Budget Process Update
      Superintendent Burt would like to engage in the budget process early this year looking at
      needs, savings areas, efficiencies, being transparent, discussing the needs of the district.

  7.4 Budget Priorities
      A draft of the 2022-2023 budget priorities was discussed.



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October 12, 2021 – Regular Meeting

  7.5 October Enrollment
      Enrollment numbers were presented and in each class numbers were slightly above the
      projected numbers.

   7.6. Superintendent Evaluation Process Discussion
        The Superintendent’s goals will be set to line up with the Board’s goals. An evaluation is
        scheduled at the end of the year.

8. GRANTS/OTHER FINANCIALS (None at this time)

9. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT
   9.1 Test Scores Presentation
       Dr. Hewes reviewed the test scores of 2017, 2018, 2019, no tests in 2020. Progress was
       being made prior to the pandemic and the scores for this year show that the pandemic has
       had an impact, especially with the younger students. Continued support is needed for
       these students.

10. POLICIES/REGULATION FOR A SECOND READING (None at this time)

11. POLICIES RECOMMENDED FOR REMOVAL
    11.1 1000.1T Green Cleaning Programs (1800P)
    11.2 1000.2T Use of School Facilities (1300P)
    11.3 1000.3T Volunteers, Student Interns, and Other Non-employees (1212P)
    11.4 4000.1T Employment Check
    11.5 5000.3T Transportation (3541P)
         The above policies were temporary policies to deal with the pandemic and will be
         removed when the new policies are approved.

12. NON-SUBSTANTIVE POLICIES (None at this time)

13. CONSENT AGENDA
    13.1 Approval of September 14, 2021 BOE Regular Meeting Minutes
         Motion by: C. McGlynn
         to accept the minutes of the September 14, 2021, meeting, as read.
         Second by: A. Domeika.
         Vote:        Unanimous to approve.

    13.2 Field Trip: Bacon Academy Chamber/Women’s Choir to Ogunquit, Maine
         Motion by: J. Morozowich
         to approve the BA Chamber/Women’s Choir to Ogunquit, Maine.
         Second by: A. Domeika.
         Vote:       Unanimous to approve.

14. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES
    14.1 Policy – No further report.
    14.2 Budget – J. Morozowich noted that the food service company has suspended produce
                   deliveries due to the supply shortage. Produce will be purchased from a
                   another company for market value having to pay out of pocket, not being able
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October 12, 2021 – Regular Meeting

                 to use USDA government funds. Usually, USDA funding runs out in early spring
                 and the switch is made then. It is hoped that the supply situation will be resolved
                 and the USDA funding will be used at that time. This is a country-wide issue.
    14.3 Personnel – A. Domeika said the committee is looking at revising the exit interview
    14.4 Ad-Hoc Curriculum – Superintendent Burt said a meeting is planned for November.
    14.5 Ad-Hoc Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – J. Rose said a meeting will be held tomorrow.

15. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
    1. BA Project Grad Liaison
    2. Board of Finance Liaison
    3. Board of Selectmen Liaison
    4. Building Committee Liaison
    5. Collaborative for Colchester’s Children (C3) Liaison
    6. Commission on Aging
    7. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison
    8. Fire Department Liaison
    9. Parks & Recreation Liaison
    10. Police Commission Liaison
    11. PTO Collaborative Liaison
    12. School Readiness Council Liaison
    13. Senior Center Liaison
    14. Youth & Social Services Liaison
        No reports at this time.

16. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION ITEMS
    16. Next Meetings

     MEETING                   DATE                    TIME      LOCATION
     DEI Committee             October 13, 2021        5:00 PM   Virtual
     Policy Committee          October 18, 2021        5:00 PM   Virtual
     Budget Committee          November 4, 2021        9:00 AM   Virtual
     Board of Education        November 9, 2021        6:00 PM   Virtual
     Personnel Committee       December 6, 2021        5:30 PM   Virtual

   16.2 Monthly Student Enrollment for October is 2246.
   16.3 Approved Committee Meeting Minutes
   16.4 Monthly Budget Reports
   16.5. Cafeteria Fund
   16.6 Budget Transfers Under $5,000 (None at this time)
   16.7 Notices of Retirement/Resignation
         1. Lawrence Paterno
         2. Jill Leonard
         3. Linda Kurczy
         4. Barbara Stiles
         5. Melanie Wehrenberg
         6. Katherine Jesmonth
   16.8 Regulations (None at this time)
         Information items only, no action taken.
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October 12, 2021 – Regular Meeting

17. PUBLIC COMMENT
    No comments received.

18. EXECUTIVE SESSION
    18.1 Staff Request for Leave of Absence
    18.2 Superintendent’s Goal Setting
    18.3 Personnel Discussion
         Motion by: C. McGlynn
         to go into Executive Session to discuss 18.1, 18.2 and 18.3 and to invite Superintendent
         Burt to all sessions but to invite Director of Human Resources Shannon Ramsby to discuss
         Item 18.1 Staff Request for Leave of Absence.
         Second by: A. Domeika.
         Vote:         Unanimous to approve. Time: 7:55 pm.

         Chair Tomasi brought the Board out of Executive Session at 9:02 pm.
         See below for action.

19. POSSIBLE ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION
    Motion by: A. Domeika
    to approve the leave of absence as requested.
    Second by: C. McGlynn.
    Vote:         Unanimous to approve.

    No action was taken on Item 18.2 and Item 18.3.

20. ADJOURNMENT
    Chair Tomasi adjourned this meeting at 9:03 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary




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