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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
2:00 PM
Pupil Services and Special Education
Conference Room
MINUTES
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Alexander Oliphant, Donna Antonacci, Margo Gignac,
Rosemary Gignac, Christopher Rivers
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Dr. Thomas Y. McDowell, Superintendent, Dr. Charles
E. Hewes, Assistant Superintendent, Glenn McGrath, Interim Director of Pupil Services and
Special Education
OTHERS PRESENT: Attorney Anne Littlefield, Amy Emory
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Oliphant called the Special Meeting to order at 2:08 PM
1.2 Roll Call
Chair Oliphant conducted a roll call of Board of Education members
1.3 Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Oliphant led the meeting attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance
2. *ACTION ITEMS
2.1 *Discussion and Possible Action on the Appointment of a Director of Pupil
Services and Special Education (discussion proposed for executive session)
Dr. McDowell spoke about the process of the interview rounds and interviewers who
included special education parents, teachers, and administrators.
Glenn McGrath stated that the Pupil Services and Special Education (PPS) department
conducted a survey of the primary characteristics and attributes people were looking for
in a director. A high response rate was received from the survey and showed that
families were looking for someone strong in communication, building relationships, and
also strategic planning and the ability to move the district forward. Mr. McGrath shared
references received in regard to the recommended candidate, Amy Emory.
Motion by: Margo Gignac
To enter into executive session at 2:19 PM and invite Dr. Charles Hewes, Dr. Thomas Y.
McDowell, Glenn McGrath, and Amy Emory
Second by: Christopher Rivers
Vote: Unanimous
Roll Call: Rosemary Gignac, Donna Antonacci, Margo Gignac, Christopher Rivers,
Alexander Oliphant
Public session entered back into at 2:42 PM
Motion by: Margo Gignac
To appoint Amy Emory as the Director of Pupil Services and Special Education with the
Colchester Public Schools
Second by: Rosemary Gignac
Vote: Unanimous
Roll Call: Rosemary Gignac, Donna Antonacci, Margo Gignac, Christopher Rivers,
Alexander Oliphant
2.2 *Discussion and Possible Action on a Proposed Separation Agreement (discussion
proposed for executive session)
Motion by: Rosemary Gignac
To enter into executive session at 2:45 PM and invite Dr. Thomas Y. McDowell, Dr.
Charles E. Hewes, and Attorney Anne Littlefield
Second by: Christopher Rivers
Vote: Unanimous
Roll Call: Rosemary Gignac, Donna Antonacci, Margo Gignac, Christopher Rivers,
Alexander Oliphant
Public session entered back into at 3:16 PM
Motion by: Margo Gignac
The Board of Education authorizes the Interim Superintendent Dr. Thomas Y. McDowell
to enter into a severance agreement with the Bacon Academy Principal Matthew Peel,
executing such agreement on behalf of the Colchester Board of Education.
Second by: Donna Antonacci
Vote: Unanimous
Roll Call: Rosemary Gignac, Donna Antonacci, Margo Gignac, Alexander Oliphant,
(Christopher Rivers had to leave the meeting prior to the vote)
3. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:18 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Heather R. Petit
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent