MinutesDEICommittee09082021docx (2)

COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
                             Colchester, CT



                DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE
                                 September 8, 2021 ~ 5:00 PM
                           Virtual Meeting via BoardDocs and Zoom

                                 MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Joanne Rose, Amy Domeika, Jessica Morozowich
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt
OTHERS PRESENT: BOE Chair Mary Tomasi

   1. CALL TO ORDER
      Chair J. Rose called the meeting to order at 5:08PM.

   2. *ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
       2.1 Motion to add to Old Business a discussion on communication as standing agenda item
           7.2: Communications.
           Motion by: A. Domeika
           To add to Old Business a discussion on communication as standing agenda item 7.2:
           Communications
           Second by: J. Morozowich
           Vote: Unanimous
           Roll call: A. Domeika, J. Morozowich, J. Rose

      2.2 Motion to add to Old Business as item 7.3: Diversifying Input to the Committee by
          inviting a Student Representative
          Motion by: A. Domeika
          To add to Old Business as item 7.3: Diversifying Input to the Committee by inviting a
          Student Representative
          Second by: J. Morozowich
          Vote: Unanimous
          Roll call: A. Domeika, J. Morozowich, J. Rose

   3. PUBLIC COMMENT
      None.

   4. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES
      4.1 *Approval of Minutes from April 7, 2021 Meeting
          Motion by: A. Domeika
          To discuss the minutes of the April 7, 2021 DEI Committee Meeting
          Second by: J. Morozowich
       Vote: Unanimous
       Roll call: A. Domeika, J. Morozowich, J. Rose

       Motion by: J. Morozowich
       To approve the minutes of the April 7, 2021 DEI Committee Meeting
       Second by: A. Domeika
       Vote: Unanimous
       Roll call: A. Domeika, J. Morozowich, J. Rose

5. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
   5.1 Committee Update
       Superintendent Burt provided an update of the District DEI Committee. The
       Committee has reviewed the information from NCCJ and is discussing long-range
       planning. A priority is to sustain this work over time. Superintendent Burt shared that
       the work of this committee overlaps significantly with the School Climate Committee,
       so the next step is to merge these two groups together. Board goals, District goals, and
       the goals of this committee are in alignment. The School Climate Committee will be
       working with Dr. Hewes, Director of Teaching and Learning, to evaluate the current
       curricula. J. Morozowich requested more information on the School Climate
       Committee. Discussion ensued on the scope of the School Climate Committee.

   5.2 Review DEI Committee Draft Goals
       Chair Rose shared the DEI Committee draft goals. She is proposing that a small group,
       including Superintendent Burt and Dr. Hewes, consider the indicators again and bring
       this agenda item back to the full Committee to revisit. Now that BOE goals are
       established, the goals of this Committee will be further reviewed to remain in
       alignment with larger BOE goals.

   5.3 *Establish DEI Committee Meeting Dates
       The Committee discussed establishing future meeting dates. It was proposed to meet
       monthly or bi-monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at 5:00PM.
       Motion by: J. Morozowich
       To establish DEI Committee Meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at
       5:00PM
       Second by: A. Domeika
       Vote: Unanimous
       Roll call: A. Domeika, J. Morozowich, J. Rose

6. REPORTS
   6.1 Training
   6.2 Curriculum
   6.3 Hiring
   No reports at this time.
7. OLD BUSINESS
   7.1 Recommendations for Future Training Materials
       ● J. Rose shared a conversation on “Why and How to Talk to Kids About
          Microagression,” from Embrace Race.
       ● J. Morozowich shared a book called Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from
          the Inside out by Ruth King.
       ● Superintendent Burt shared that four copies of a blueprint for districts on DEI work
          has been purchased and will be shared with the Committee.
       ● A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America by Ronald Takaki was
          shared by Chair Rose.
       ● African American Connecticut Explored by Garnet Books was also suggested.

   7.2 Communications
       This will be a standing agenda item for the Committee to discuss how communications
       will take place.

   7.3 Diversifying Input to the Committee by inviting a Student Representative
       Discussion ensued about having student voices represented. BOE Chair Tomasi
       suggested that Public Comment during DEI Committee meetings is an appropriate forum
       for student input. Broader announcements of DEI meetings was discussed. This
       discussion will continue next month.

8. NEW BUSINESS
   None.

9. ESTABLISH NEXT MEETING PRIORITIES
   In addition to goals and indicators, a mission statement for the DEI Committee is also being
   discussed.

10. PUBLIC COMMENT
    None.

11. ADJOURNMENT
   The meeting adjourned at 6:01PM.