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Board of Education
February 11, 2020 – Regular Meeting
Colchester Elementary School Cafeteria
315 Norwich Avenue
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mary Tomasi, Vice Chair Chris McGlynn, Amy Domeika,
Sue Hickey, Jessica Morozowich, Joanne Rose; Student Members Nick Janus and Shannon
Hickey.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mitch Koziol.
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Bacon Academy Principal Matt
Peel, Bacon Academy Assistant Principal Amy Begué, William J. Johnston Middle School
Principal Chris Bennett, 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.
OTHERS PRESENT: Board of Finance Liaison Andrea Migliaccio.
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Mary Tomasi called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Second grade students from
Mrs. DiCioccio's class led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chair Tomasi presented each of the students with a pledge card for their participation.
1.2 Moment of Silence
A moment of silence was held for Matthew Turkington and family.
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Superintendent Burt requested adding a WJJMS field trip to New York to the Museum of
Natural History, 911 Memorial Museum and the Jewish Heritage Museum on May 27, 2020.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the addition of the field trip as Item 12.5 under the Consent Agenda.
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
3. CELEBRATIONS
3.1 Innovators of the Month: Colchester Elementary School
February's Innovators of the Month are from Colchester Elementary School: Karen Groves
and Barbara Gabriel.
Barbara and Karen are not only working on the ISTE Standards, but they are supporting
our second graders in learning about Science and research. For example, a few of the
standards they have focused on lately are:
• ISTE- Knowledge Constructor: 3a With guidance from an educator, students use digital
tools and resources, contained within a classroom platform or otherwise provided by the
teacher, to find information on topics of interest.
Board of Education
February 11, 2010
• Innovative Learner Dispositions: Ask questions and is curious.
• NGSS 2-ESS1-1: Make observations from several sources to construct an evidence-
based account for natural phenomena.
Their lessons are based on the skills learners need for their non-fiction/research unit. In
this unit, students will research, generate their own questions, select a specific topic and
research it, and select from a menu of tools to teach/present what they have learned.
Students will also be evaluating their wonder questions and revising them to make the
questions deeper and more open-ended.
Students used their IPads to show the Board members the land mass research project they
are working on.
3.2 JJIS's Team Megawhats 1st Place Win at First Lego League State Finals
First Lego League State finals were held at Shelton High School on December 7, 2019. There
were 50 teams competing and the Jack Jackter Intermediate School’s Team Megawatts won
first place for their presentation. Three WJJMS students are part of the team, helping the JJIS
students. Brooke Rodgers is from Bacon Academy and is the team mentor.
The students gave paraprofessional Renee Anderson a bouquet of flowers “in appreciation of
all her hard work” helping the team.
Chair Tomasi presented R. Anderson with a Certificate of Recognition.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
4.1 No comments were received.
5. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
5.1 Communications
No communication received.
5.2 District Improvement Update
Superintendent Burt noted the new mission statement “We create innovative thinkers for a
dynamic world” and gave a presentation on Board goals being developed for the district
improvement plan, operational and instructional improvement and student achievement.
6. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR FIRST READING (NONE)
7. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
7.1 Ratification of Teacher's Contract
Discussion and possible action to ratify the July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2023 contract between
the Colchester Board of Education and the Colchester Federation of Teachers Local #1827.
Motion by: C. McGlynn
to authorize the Board Chair to sign the contract between Colchester Board of Education and
the Colchester Federation of Teachers Local #1827 for July 1, 2020-June 30, 2023.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
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February 11, 2010
7.2 Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SCADD) Request for
Smartboard Donations
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the request from Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
(SCADD) for donation of unused BOE smartboards.
Second by: J. Rose.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
7.3 Child Nutrition Programs Authorized Signature Change
The district must annually sign the USDA agreement regarding the responsibilities of a
school district in running meal programs. This document changes the authorized
signatures to Superintendent Burt and CFO Maggie Cosgrove.
Motion by: C. McGlynn
to approve the change to the authorized signatures required for the Child Nutrition Program
to Superintendent Burt and CFO M. Cosgrove.
Second by: J. Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
7.4 Assign BOE Members to Ad-Hoc Curriculum Committee
Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Charles Hewes will have curricular and policy
updates to be reviewed by the Ad-Hoc Curriculum Committee before June 2020.
The curriculum committee concerning Humanities will have members J. Rose,
J. Morozowich and A. Domeika. The Math curriculum committee members will be
C. McGlynn and S. Hickey.
7.5 Establish Ad-Hoc Communications Committee and Assign BOE Members
The Ad-Hoc Communications Committee will seek to improve district communications.
This item will be tabled until next meeting for further discussion.
8. GRANTS/OTHER FINANCIALS (NONE)
9. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT
9.1 Bacon Academy Program of Studies 2020-2021
A summary of proposed additions and changes to the 2020-2021 Bacon Academy Program
of studies was presented. Assistant Principal Amy Begué summarized the changes and
responded to Board member questions.
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the 2020-2021 Bacon Academy Program of Studies as presented.
Second by: C. McGlynn.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
9.2 William J. Johnston Middle School Program of Studies 2020-2021
Principal Bennett was in attendance for any questions pertaining to changes or additions
to the William J. Johnston Middle School Program of Studies 2020-2021.
Motion by: C. McGlynn
to approve the William J. Johnston Middle School Program of Studies 2020-2021 as
presented.
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February 11, 2010
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
10. CONTINUED DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
10.1 WJJMS Building Project Update
Superintendent Burt noted there are two issues still unresolved and the project will not
be closed out until those are resolved.
11. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR SECOND READING
11.1 3110P Budget Planning
The Policy Committee reviewed this policy and recommended changes.
11.2 9402 Bylaw: Facilities Review
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve revised policy 3110P Budget Planning and Bylaw 9402 Facilities Review.
Second by: J. Rose.
Vote: Unanimous to approve both items.
12. CONSENT AGENDA
12.1 Approval of 1/14/2020 Minutes
12.2 Approval of 1/23/2020 BOE Special Meeting Minutes
12.3 Approval of 1/28/2020 BOE Special Meeting Minutes
12.4 Field Trip: Bacon Academy Spanish students to NYC
12.5 Field Trip to American Museum of Natural History, 9/11 Memorial Museum and
Museum Of Jewish Heritage
Motion by: J. Morozowich
to approve the Consent Agenda with a correction to the minutes of January 14, 2020,
Item 10.3 Policy 5141.214 was incorrectly identified as Policy 5142.21.
Second by: S. Hickey
Vote: Unanimous to approve Consent Agenda with one correction.
13. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES
13.1 Policy – No report.
13.2 Budget – J. Morozowich was elected Chair at February 5 Budget Committee meeting
and gave a report including: the soft freeze is still on and next month
Superintendent Burt with CFO Cosgrove will determine if a hard freeze is
necessary. The budget presentations are scheduled with a public meeting on
March 31, budget questions may be submitted and will be answered
anonymously at the meeting. Discussion with other districts for
‘flat tuition rates’ for students to attend schools outside districts is ongoing.
Colchester is discussing combining resources with another town for the 18-21
program.
13.3 Personnel – No report.
13.4 Ad-Hoc Curriculum – Membership established.
13.5 Ad-Hoc Consolidation – No report.
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February 11, 2010
14. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
S. Hickey, liaison to C3, noted C3 is sponsoring a Village Parenting Support Program
presentation and as liaison to Youth First, reported they recently presented a movie on social
media and youth.
15. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION ITEMS
15.1 Next Meetings
Meeting MeetingTime Date Location
BOE - Budget Presentation 7:00PM February 18, 2020 CES Cafeteria
BOE Conference
Policy Committee 6:30PM February 24, 2020
Room
7:00PM February 25, 2020
BOE-Budget Workshops CES Cafeteria
7:00PM March 3, 2020
BOE Conference
Budget Committee 9:00AM March 5, 2020
Room
15.2 Enrollment for February 2020 is 2298 students.
15.3 Regulations (None at this time)
15.4 Approved Committee Meeting Minutes: Budget Committee 1/9/2020
15.5 Monthly Budget Reports
15.6 Health Insurance Reserve Analysis
15.7 Budget Transfers Under $5,000 (None at this time)
Information items only – no action taken
16. INFORMATION ITEMS: NON-SUBSTANTIVE POLICY CHANGES (NONE)
17. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NEW ISSUES RAISED OR SUBJECTS DEVELOPED
No comments received.
18. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Tomasi adjourned this Regular Meeting at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary
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