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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
EMERGENCY BOARD MEETING
May 13, 2022 ~ 2:00 P.M.
Zoom
MINUTES
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Alexander Oliphant, Donna Antonacci, Margo Gignac, Rosemary
Gignac, Christopher Rivers
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Y. McDowell, Director of
Teaching and Learning Dr. Charles E. Hewes
OTHERS PRESENT: Director of Chatham Health District Russell Melmed, Executive Assistant to the
Superintendent Heather Petit
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Alexander Oliphant called the meeting to order at 2:01PM.
2. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
Chair Oliphant stated that the emergency meeting was called due to a breakout of COVID-19 cases at
Bacon Academy.
Dr. McDowell said he spoke to Board Attorney Anne Littlefield who confirmed that the breakout cases
of COVID-19 at the high school warranted an emergency meeting.
Chatham Health Director Russell Melmed discussed his recommended mitigation strategies for Bacon
Academy including mask use, testing before large events and gatherings, and staying home when sick.
Margo Gignac asked about the option of remote learning for students who are quarantined. Dr.
McDowell and Dr. Hewes discussed remote learning options only for students who are required to
quarantine. Dr. Hewes said a reasonable amount of time would be one school day for teachers to
prepare to assist students in quarantine.
Motion by: M.Gignac
To recommend the use of masks and recommend that students test before any events and that any
recommendations may be reversed by the Superintendent if the numbers decrease significantly.
Second by: D.Antonacci
Vote: M.Gignac, D.Antonacci, A.Oliphant in favor; C.Rivers opposed; R.Gignac did not vote due to
technical difficulties. Motion passed.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:33 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Heather R. Petit
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent