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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
6:00 PM
ZOOM
MINUTES
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Alexander Oliphant, Vice-Chair Mary Tomasi, Secretary
Margo Gignac, Donna Antonacci, Rosemary Gignac, Michelle Millington, Christopher Rivers
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Daniel P. Sullivan, III, Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Charles E. Hewes, Bacon Academy Principal Amy Begué
OTHERS PRESENT: Executive Assistant to the Superintendent/Board Clerk Heather Petit, Student
Board Members Brooke Dean and Ryan Moores
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Oliphant called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM
1.2 Roll Call
Chair Oliphant conducted a roll call of the Board.
1.3 Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Oliphant led the Board and attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
5.1 Student Board Member Report
Ryan Moores gave a report on student activities that occurred in December and January as
well as upcoming events. They included:
● Eighth graders visited Bacon Academy to take a tour and ask questions of students
and teachers.
● Spirit week was held at Bacon Academy before the holidays.
● Annual National Honor Society (NHS) Harrington Court fundraiser. Community
members brought in items (toys, blankets, etc), and NHS students wrapped them
and distributed them to Harrington Court residents.
● Student Council held a toiletry drive for the Colchester Food Bank.
● Semester 1 Capstone Projects will be presented at 6:00 PM on January 18, 2023
● PJs and Prep night will be held on January 19, 2023. Students can come to Bacon
Academy and study the night before midterms; refreshments will be served.
● Drama Club will hold auditions for Pride and Prejudice on January 23, 2023.
5.2 District Update from the Superintendent
Superintendent Sullivan thanked the Board and community again for welcoming him to the
district. Mr. Sullivan has met with principals, directors, and visited schools during his first
week. Mr. Sullivan said he is working on the budget and on staying within Board of
Finance guidelines. Mr. Sullivan thanked Chair Alex Oliphant and Secretary Margo Gignac
for their support and guidance thus far.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
3.1 For Public Comments, Please See Bylaw on Meeting Conduct
Samantha Van Zilen and Jennifer Cox welcomed Superintendent Sullivan to Colchester and
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stated it would be helpful to have Board meetings on the Town of Colchester website.
4. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
4.1 *Preschool and Grade 3 Wonders Curriculum
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Dr. Charles Hewes, Assistant Superintendent, gave an overview of the preschool
curriculum revision. The vision for preschool includes building self-regulatory and social
emotional skills, building foundational academic skills, hands-on learning experiences, and
individualized and differentiated instruction.
Dr. Hewes discussed the Wonders preschool program and its benefits which include
thematic units, focus on literacy, social-emotional learning supports, and differentiated
materials.
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Dr. Hewes reported that the state recently passed legislation in regard to K-3 reading
programs. Colchester currently implements the Wonders ELA program in grades K-2 and
would be looking to extend that curriculum program into Grade 3.
The cost of the 6-year option of the Wonders program for preschool is $23,551 (paid by
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Esser 2 grant) and the 6-year option of the Wonders program for Grade 3 is $49,000 (paid
by ARPA grant). Neither program would have any impact on the current budget or next
year’s budget.
Ms. Gignac and Donna Antonacci requested more time and more information in regard to
the current Wonders program before voting to adopt. Dr. Hewes stated he would like to
purchase the program as it is mandated through legislation and would give time to get the
materials into the hands of teachers.
Superintendent Sullivan said there is a risk that they will not be able to utilize the monies
allocated from the grant for the purchases and recommended the Board authorized two or
three members of the Board of Education to serve on a literacy subcommittee to meet with
Dr. Hewes and Ms. O’Meara in regard to the program and that the Board authorized the
committee to determine if the materials could be purchased.
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Motion by: M.Gignac
To form an ad-hoc committee for the review of the preschool and literacy programs and
that committee has the authority to approve such programs.
Second: R.Gignac
Discussion: The ad-hoc committee members will be Alex Oliphant, Mary Tomasi and
Donna Antonacci
Roll Call: M.Tomasi, C.Rivers, R.Gignac, M.Gignac, M.Millington, D.Antonacci,
A.Oliphant
Vote: Unanimous
4.2 *School Calendar for 2023-2024
Motion by: M.Tomasi
To approve the school calendar for 2023-2024 as presented
Second: M.Gignac
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Roll Call: R.Gignac, M.Gignac, D.Antonacci, C.Rivers, M. Tomasi, M.Millington,
A.Oliphant
Vote: Unanimous
4.3
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*Participation of Non-Colchester Public School Students in Extracurricular and
Co-Curricular Activities
Superintendent Sullivan recommended that the Board consider when it is appropriate and
possibly problematic, as well as any unintended consequences (i.e. impact it might have on
current Colchester Public School students) when considering non-Colchester Public School
students participation in activities. Mr. Sullivan recommended that a few board members
meet with school staff, administration, et al. to discuss the matter further.
Motion by: M.Gignac
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To form an ad-hoc committee to review the participation of non-Colchester Public School
students in extracurricular and co-curricular activities and to set guidelines and bring those
guidelines back to the full board.
Second: C. Rivers
Roll Call: M.Gignac, D.Antonacci, M.Tomasi, M.Millington, R.Gignac, C.Rivers,
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A.Oliphant
Vote: Unanimous
Members of the committee are to include Margo Gignac, Alexander Oliphant and
Rosemary Gignac
4.4 *BA Robotics Field Trip to West Springfield, MA
Motion by: M.Gignac
To approve the Bacon Academy Robotics field trip to Western New England University
Second: R.Gignac
Roll Call: D.Antonacci, M.Tomasi, M.Millington, C.Rivers, R.Gignac, M.Gignac,
A.Oliphant
Vote: Unanimous
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4.5 *BA Robotics Field Trip to Springfield, MA
Motion by: M.Tomasi
To approve the Bacon Academy Robotics field trip to West Springfield, MA
Second: D.Antonacci
Roll Call: M.Gignac, M.Tomasi, R.Gignac, M.Millington, D.Antonacci, C.Rivers,
A.Oliphant
Vote: Unanimous
4.6 Policy 9321 Time, Place and Notice of Meetings
First reading; no action taken
Discussion was had in regard to the posting of meetings on the Town website. Heather Petit
stated the concern was not having access to the website calendar on the Town website and
that any change in dates, times or meetings (i.e. canceling, posting of Special Meetings, et
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al.) could not be done by the Superintendent’s office. This could potentially make the
Board non-compliant with the Freedom of Information Act. Superintendent Sullivan
recommended an alternative would be to ask the town to post a link to the Board of
Education meetings page on their website. The Board agreed this would be helpful.
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4.7 *Discussion and Possible Action on Colchester Federation of Teachers Contract
(Discussion proposed for executive session)
Motion by: M. Tomasi
To enter into executive session in regard to the Colchester Federation of Teachers contract
inviting Superintendent Daniel P. Sullivan, III and Dr. Charles Hewes
Second: M. Millington
Roll Call: M. Gignac, R.Gignac, D.Antonacci, C.Rivers, M.Millington, A.Oliphant
Vote: Unanimous
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Entered executive session at 7:25 PM.
Returned to public session at 7:38 PM
Motion by: M.Tomasi
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To approve the three-year July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026 contract with Colchester
Federation of Teachers contract Local #1827, American Federation of Teachers
Second: R.Gignac
Roll Call: C.Rivers, D. Antonacci, R. Gignac, M.Gignac, M.Tomasi, A.Oliphant;
(M.Millington had not returned from Executive Session at time of vote but stated she
agreed upon return)
Vote: Unanimous
5. *CONTINUED DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
5.1 *Board of Education Meeting Dates for 2023
Motion by: M.Millington
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To approve the Board of Education 2023 meeting schedule
Second: M.Gignac
Roll Call: M.Gignac, M.Millington, R.Gignac, C.Rivers, M.Tomasi, D.Antonacci,
A.Oliphant
Vote: Unanimous
6. *CONSENT AGENDA
6.1 *Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2022
Motion by: C. Rivers
To approve the Board of Education Regular Meeting minutes of December 13, 2022
Second: M.Tomasi
Roll Call: C.Rivers, M.Millington, M.Tomasi, D.Antonacci, M.Gignac, R.Gignac,
A.Oliphant
Vote: Unanimous
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6.2 *BA Career and Technical Education Materials Removal Request - Photo
Development Tables and Metal Foundry
Motion by: D.Antonacci
To approve the Bacon Academy Career and Technical Education materials removal request
Second: C.Rivers
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Roll Call: C.Rivers, M.Millington, M.Tomasi, D.Antonacci, M.Gignac, R.Gignac,
A.Oliphant
Vote: Unanimous
7. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
7.1 Reports from Board Liaisons
Town Board and Commissions
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Board of Selectmen: Donna Antonacci reported that the injunction had been lifted and the
town would be moving forward with the senior center project. The project was awarded to
BRD builders.
Board of Finance: Christopher Rivers reported that the next meeting is scheduled for
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Wednesday, January 11, 2023. At the last meeting, Mr. Rivers and Business Director,
Rachel Linkkila, answered questions in regard to the budget process and schedule.
P&R Parent Commission: None.
PTO Collaborative: None.
C3 Collaborative: Rosemary Gignac reported that C3 was working in partnership with CES
and JJIS on attendance. The kindergarteners visited Cragin Library and saw a puppet show
and participated in a library card registration event. They will be hosting a family night on
April 20, 2023.
Youth & Social Services: Michelle Millington reported they met last week. They had great
success with the Resolution Run. An informational meeting on internet safety will be held
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at Town Hall on Thursday, January 12, 2023; this will be a hybrid meeting. Youth and
Social Services will be moving forward in working to get funding regarding vaping
detectors for the high school.
Commission on Aging: None.
Board of Education Liaisons
Personnel: None.
Policy: None.
Curriculum: None.
Budget: None.
8. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INFORMATION ITEMS
8.1 Next Meetings
Next meeting will be held on January 24, 2023.
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8.2 Enrollment Report
The current enrollment for the district is 2,270 students. Superintendent Sullivan reported
that elementary enrollment continues to grow. He will be looking into a NESDEC
membership for the district. NESDEC offers historical five-year enrollment projections.
8.3
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Notices of Retirement/Resignation
Krista Kennedy
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
9.1 For Public Comments, Please See Bylaw on Meeting Conduct
Samantha VanZilen thanked the Board for looking into putting a link to the Board of
Education meetings page on the town website.
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Jennifer Cox thanked Dr. Hewes for his expertise on curriculum and thanked Board
members for postponing the vote so they could obtain more information. Ms. Cox
reiterated that she would like to have a link on the town website to the meetings.
10. ADJOURNMENT
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Chair Oliphant adjourned the meeting at 8:08 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Heather R. Petit
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent/Board Clerk
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