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Board of Education
November 9, 2021 – Regular Meeting
Zoom Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mary Tomasi, Vice Chair Chris McGlynn, Amy Domeika, Suesen
Hickey at 6:50 pm, Jessica Morozowich, Joanne Rose.
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Bacon Academy Principal Matt
Peel, Colchester Elementary School Principal Judy O’Meara, Jack Jackter Intermediate School
Principal Elise Butson, William J. Johnston Middle School Principal Chris Bennett, Director of Pupil
Services and Special Education Kathleen Perry, Director of Teaching and Learning Charles Hewes,
Director of Education Operations Mario Hurtado, Chief Financial Officer M. Cosgrove.
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Mary Tomasi called the Board of Education meeting to order at 6:02 pm with a roll
call to establish a quorum.
2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Superintendent Burt requested adding enrollment report projections for next year as Item 5.4
and Screen and Stay as Item 7.2.
Motion by: C. McGlynn
to add the items as requested.
Second by: J. Rose.
Vote: Unanimous by those present.
3. RECOGNITIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3.1 Welcome New BOE Members
The Board of Education welcomes newly elected members Donna Antonacci,
Marguerite Gignac, Rosemary Gignac and Alexander Oliphant.
3.2 Recognition of Board Members’ Service
The Board of Education would like to thank the following members for their outstanding
service to the Colchester Public Schools and the Colchester community:
Mitchell Koziol, BOE 2009 - 2021
Chris McGlynn, BOE 2017- 2021
Amy Domeika, BOE 2017 – 2021
Joanne Rose, BOE 2020 - 2021
Superintendent Burt thanked the outgoing Board members for their tireless work and each
will receive a gift of appreciation of service.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Michael Egan, Board of Finance member, and former BOE member commended the members on
the level of effort given in the most difficult time of the last two years.
S. Hickey joined the meeting at this point in the agenda.
5. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
5.1 Pandemic Update
Superintendent Burt stated that vaccines have been approved for the 5-11 age group.
There are regional clinics are being planned for the student vaccinations.
Board of Education
November 9, 2021 – Regular Meeting
5.2 Cafeterias Update
A report from the Cafeteria:
“Supply and delivery are still an issue - ordering at least 3 to 4 weeks out, ordering extra
when something is in stock so we know we will have it to serve next time it's on the
menu. By doing this we have only had to change a menu less than a dozen times between
the 4 schools. Thurston Foods, our food vendor has recently merged with another, larger,
distribution company so, hopefully, this will help them get back on track which in turn
will help us.
Our government money (USDA & DOD) we have been finally able to start using. A
couple of weeks in October and so far this month. USDA commodities were finally
shipped to HPC, which has allowed us to order produce on delivery
days. Whichever school is getting their USDA order, we make one large produce order -
each manager then heads to that school upon delivery, picks up their produce and brings
it back to their kitchen. We've been ordering approximately $1,700-$2,000 of produce
per week. With this, we don't have to order produce from our vendor. However, when
each manager has to load their car and unload their car of cases of apples, oranges, pears,
grapes, cucumbers, baby carrots, etc. - it's a lot of extra work - but we are saving money
and getting our produce using our DOD dollars.
It continues to change week to week, but so far we have found a way to make it work the
best we can. Estimated reimbursement for October is $126,000.”
5.3 Communications (None at this time)
5.4 Enrollment Projections for Next Year
The projections were reviewed and an increase in enrollment has already been seen at
CES this year. The projections show a steady increase overall.
6. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR FIRST READING - None at this time
7. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
7.1 Discussion of/possible action on new BOE Members Handbook
J. Morozowich reviewed the proposed new handbook. New members will be given a
chance to review and discussion will be held at a future meeting.
7.2 Screen and Stay
This Governor’s Screen and Stay initiative will pertain to students K-12. Superintendent Burt
said he has not seen any student to student transmission of the virus within the school. Those in
contact with a Covid-19 case could participate under certain circumstances - asymptomatic, no
extracurricular activities, consistently masked, etc. This would keep students in school and
avoid quarantine. If symptoms were present then the previous isolation measures would be in
place.
8. GRANTS/OTHER FINANCIALS
8.1 Donation to Bacon Academy Robotics ($8,000)
Motion by: C. McGlynn
to accept the $8,000 donation from Dominion Energy to the Bacon Academy Robotics Club.
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November 9, 2021 – Regular Meeting
Second by: J. Morozowich.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.2 Budget Transfer Over $5,000
This transfer is in the amount $150,213 for Special Education/ARPA/ESSER Grant to realign the
budget due to a change from Social Workers to SPED teachers funded by the grant to preserve
Medicaid funding for the social worker positions.
Motion by: S. Hickey
to approve the budget transfer in the amount of $150,213 (Special Education/ARPA/ESSER
grants).
Second by: J. Rose
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.3 Budget Transfer Over $5,000
These transfers are between schools and subject areas to realign the budget with teacher
assignments due to retirement and internal transfers.
Motion by: A. Domeika
to approve three budget transfers in the amounts of $37,740, $37,620, and $38,080
(JJIS/WJJMS teacher assignments)
Second by: C. McGlynn
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.4 Budget Transfer Over $5,000
This transfer of $47,644 is for settlements of union contracts for paraprofessionals, office
professionals and town clerical (shared Finance positions).
Motion by: S. Hickey
to approve the budget transfer in the amount of $47,644 (Union Settlements)
Second by: J. Rose.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
8.5 Budget Transfer Over $5,000
This transfer is for non-union merit pay adjustments.
Motion by: C. McGlynn
to approve the budget transfer in the amount of $27,648 (non-union merit pay).
Second by: M. Koziol.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
9. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT
9.1 2021-2022 Chelsea Groton Teacher Grant Application
On behalf of CPS special education teacher, Danielle Poirier, Dr. Charles Hewes is
requesting the Board of Education approve the use of lessons 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, and 16 of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Money Smart curriculum resource in association
with the 2021/22 Chelsea Groton Teacher Grant. These lessons will support the students
enrolled in the Community Transition Academy of Colchester (CTAC) to develop
financial literacy. The teaching of these six lessons will also earn the CTAC program a
grant of $500 to be used to support the CTAC program.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the Curriculum Associated with the 2021-2022 Chelsea Groton Teacher Grant.
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Board of Education
November 9, 2021 – Regular Meeting
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
10. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR A SECOND READING
Policy Chair C. McGlynn stated that these policies have recommended language updates
from Shipman & Goodwin. Some policies were temporary due to Covid-19 needs and if approved
will be permanent Board policies.
10.1 0521P Nondiscrimination (Community/Board Operations)
10.2 1800P Green Cleaning Programs
10.3 1212P Volunteers, Student Interns, and Other Non-Employees
10.4 1220P Use of School Facilities
10.5. Visitors and Observations in School
10.6. 4112.5P Employment Checks
10.7 4118.11P Nondiscrimination (Personnel)
10.8 4118.112P Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (Personnel)
10.9 5124.1P Student Privacy Policy (PPRA)
10.10 5131.911P Bullying Prevention and Intervention
10.11 5145.4P. Nondiscrimination (Students)
10.12 5145.5P Policy regarding title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972-Prohition of Sex
Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (Students)
Motion by: A. Domeika
to approve the revisions to the policies as presented.
Second by: J. Morozowich.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
11. POLICIES RECOMMENDED FOR REMOVAL
These temporary policies were to deal with the pandemic and have been replaced by the
revised /updated policies in Item 10 and stated in parentheses.
11.1 1000.1T Green Cleaning Programs (1800P
11.2 1000.3T Volunteers, Student Interns, another No[employees
11.3 1000.2T Use of School Facilities (1330P)
11.4 4000.1T Employment Checks (4112.5P
Motion by: S. Hickey
to remove the above stated temporary policies.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
12. NON-SUBTANTIVE POLICIES (None at this time)
13. CONSENT AGENDA
13.1 Approval of October 12, 2021, BOE Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion by: J. Rose
to approve the October 12, 2021, minutes as read.
Second by: J. Morozowich.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
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November 9, 2021 – Regular Meeting
13.2 Request for Disposal: CES Library Media Center
Motion by: C. McGlynn
to approve the request from CES Library Media Center for Disposal of Obsolete Materials.
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
13.3 Request for Disposal: Old/broken equipment
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the request for disposal of the old/broken equipment.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
14. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES
14.1 Policy – C. McGlynn
14.2 Budget - J. Morozowich reported that the Vo-Ag School had a greater enrollment than
expected. The cafeteria food delivery delays are improving, and the Health Reserve
Account is very healthy.
14.3 Personnel – no report
14.4 Ad-Hoc Curriculum – Meeting scheduled for December 9, 2021.
14.5 Ad-Hoc Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Joanne Rose submitted the following report:
The most recent committee meeting was held on 10/13/2021. Superintendent Burt gave
an update regarding the work of the District DEI Committee. The ad hoc BOE DEI
Committee reviewed the draft committee goals.
The ad hoc DEI Committee also discussed suggestions on how to include student input
to the committee. The next meeting of the Committee will be to review the committee
goals, establish priorities, agree on definitions as related to the committee goals and
begin an “action plan”. The next committee meeting will be on November 10, 2021
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 – Chair Tomasi said the vote for the new Senior Center is November 16, 2021.
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
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Board of Education
November 9, 2021 – Regular Meeting
16. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION ITEMS
16.1 Next Meetings
AdHoc DEI Committee November 10, 2021 4:00 PM Pupil Services Conference room @ WJJMS
BOE Special meeting (orientation) November 30, 2021 5:30 PM BA LMC
Budget Committee December 2, 2021 9:00 AM Virtual
Personnel Committee December 6, 2021 5:30 PM Virtual
Curriculum Committee A December 9, 2021 5:30 PM Virtual
Board of Education December 14, 2021 6:00 PM Virtual
AdHoc DEI Committee December 15, 2021 5:00 PM Virtual
Policy Committee December 20, 2021 5:00 PM Virtual
16.2 Monthly Student Enrollment for November is 2262 students.
16.3 Approved Committee Meeting Minutes
Minutes DEI Committee Sept 9, 2021 (2)
Minutes Budget Subcommittee Oct 7, 2021
Minutes Policy Committee Sept 20, 2021
16.4 Monthly Budget Reports
16.5 Cafeteria Fund
16.6 Notices of Retirement/Resignation – None at this time
16.7 Regulations – None at this time
16.8 Budget Transfers Under $5000
16.9 VRABE Fall 2021 Report
17. PUBLIC COMMENT
Newly elected Board Member Donna Antonacci thanked the Board members and said she looks
forward to working with the them.
17. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to go into Executive Session to discuss a Request for a Leave of Absence and to invite
Superintendent Burt into the session.
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Unanimous to approve. Time: 7:20 pm.
Chair Tomasi brought the Board out of Executive Session at 7:25 pm.
Action below.
18. POSSIBLE ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION ACTION
Motion by: A. Domeika
to approve the Leave of Absence request.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
19. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Tomasi adjourned this Regular Meeting at 7:26 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary
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