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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
BUDGET COMMITTEE
Thursday, May 6, 2021
BOE Budget Committee Meeting 9:00AM
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
MINUTES
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jessica Morozowich, Joanne Rose
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, CFO Maggie Cosgrove,
Director of Educational Operations Mario Hurtado, Director of Pupil Services and Special
Education Kathleen Perry
OTHERS PRESENT: BOE Chair Mary Tomasi, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
Amy Trinnaman
1. CALL TO ORDER
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Morozowich called the meeting to order at 9:01AM.
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
None.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
3.1 Public Comment
None.
4. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4.1 Approval of April 1, 2021 Minutes
Motion by: J. Rose
To approve the minutes of the April 1, 2021 Budget Committee meeting
Second by: J. Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich
5. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
None.
6. BUDGET REPORTS
6.1 Monthly Budget Reports
CFO Maggie Cosgrove presented the budget report through the end of April 2021.
Unemployment claims are starting to slow down but there is a lag in claims at the state
level. Over-expenditures in Other Supplies/Materials were due to the purchase of
Chromebooks to be covered under the ESSER II grant. Pupil Services over-expenditures
are related to invoices for services incurred and are subject to reimbursement from the
Special Education Excess Cost grant along with out of District tuition and transportation.
Legal fees reflect an over expenditure due to ongoing negotiations and mediation.
Savings have been realized in the fuel lines because of reduced use of facilities, both
during school hours (in hybrid model with only half the student population present) and
in the evenings by community groups. Discussion ensued on Unemployment
Compensation claims related to daily substitutes.
6.2 Cafeteria Fund
CFO Cosgrove shared that the cafeteria fund reimbursement from the federal
government has dramatically improved the financial health of this program. The District
will not be running a summer meals program, as was done last summer. The District will
be working with Youth Services to ensure the needs of our community are met.
6.3 Health Insurance Reserve
CFO Cosgrove presented a report through the end of March 2021. The District is holding
steady, with claims being lower than this point last year. Because we are self-insured, a
healthy reserve in this fund is important.
6.4 Special Education Excess Cost Report
Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Kathleen Perry presented the Special
Education Excess Cost Report. Billing for transportation has been put on hold until
discrepancies are resolved.
6.5 Use of Schools
CFO Cosgrove presented the Use of Schools report, with few changes from last month
due to schools not being open for public use during pandemic. The Policy Committee is
reviewing Use of Schools policies to determine proper protocol for resuming use of our
schools by community groups outside school hours. Fees collected through use of
schools cover custodial fees associated with events, and are used to fund improvement
projects in areas utilized by the public. Beginning May 19th, the District will be
reviewing requests for use of schools on a case-by-case basis.
6.6 Capital Reserve
CFO Cosgrove presented the BOE Capital Reserve as of March 31, 2021. This report
has been presented to the Board of Finance for their recent budget workshops.
Superintendent Burt shared that there is a new competitive security grant we are
pursuing that would cover 60% of related expenses. Director of Educational Operations
Mario Hurtado provided an update on the Bacon Academy gym bleacher restoration
project.
6.7 Budget Transfers Under $5,000
Three budget transfers under $5,000 were presented:
1. Science textbooks at Bacon Academy in the amount of $159;
2. JJIS personal protective equipment (PPE) for music programming in the amount of
$2,500; and
3. JJIS additional supplies to support safe instruction in the amount of $1,017.
7. OLD BUSINESS
7.1 Update on Federal Grants
We do not yet have approval from the government on ESSER II. These funds will
supplement, not supplant, efforts to recovering the learning initiatives, including possible
additional tutoring and student support. Superintendent Burt shared that we are taking a
very close look at how ESSER II Grant funds can be utilized on needs such as
intervention, tutoring, social/emotional needs, extended school year, recovering learning,
needs of voluntary at-home learners and homeschooled students as related to
COVID-19. Guidelines for use of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds have not
been released by the government to school districts at this time. HVAC system
improvements for air quality are part of the long-range capital improvement plans; it is
possible that ARPA grant funding can assist with these expenditures.
Discussion ensued on Manufacturing at Bacon Academy and the possibility of expansion
of the program.
8. *NEW BUSINESS
8.1 2021-2022 Budget Discussion
The BOE was asked by the Board of Finance to reduce the proposed 2021-2022 budget
by $275,000. The budget calendar is currently being updated and will be posted on our
website.
8.2 *Budget Transfers Over $5,000
Two budget transfers over $5,000 were presented:
1. Special Education tutoring ($11,000) for hospitalized students
2. Bacon Academy Music Department - choral shells ($9,779)
Motion by: J. Rose
To approve the two (2) budget transfers over $5,000 and move to the full BOE for
review.
Second by: J. Morozowich
Vote: Unanimous
Roll call: J. Rose, J. Morozowich
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NEW ISSUES RAISED OR SUBJECTS DEVELOPED
9.1 Public Comment
None.
10. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:18AM.