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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
6:00 PM
The Commons (Black Box Theater)
William J. Johnston Middle School
360 Norwich Avenue, Colchester
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, Principal of Colchester Elementary School Judy O’Meara,
Principal of Jack Jackter Intermediate School Elise Butson, Principal of Bacon Academy Amy
Begué, Assistant Principal of William J. Johnston Middle School Stacy Ewings, Assistant
Principal of Bacon Academy Michael Mal, Assistant Principal of Bacon Academy Melissa Cyr,
Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Amy Emory, Assistant Director of Pupil of
Services and Special Education Rebecca Tedesco
OTHERS PRESENT: Business Director Rachel Linkkila, Executive Assistant to the
Superintendent/Board Clerk Heather Petit, Executive Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent
Michelle Flynn
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Alexander Oliphant called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM
1.2 Roll Call
Chair Alexander Oliphant conducted a roll call of the Board.
1.3 Pledge of Allegiance
2. STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS REPORT
2.1 Student Board Member Report
Chair Oliphant welcomed new student board member Mariam Kasli and reported that
Student Board Member, Brooke Dean, was at a cross country meet that evening.
3. *ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
3.1 New Agenda Items
Donna Antonacci asked to remove 8.1 from the agenda, Policy 1180, as the Board
received a response from the Board attorney and she would like to give the Policy
Committee time to review it.
Motion by: D. Antonacci
To remove agenda item 8.1, Policy 1180, from the agenda
Second: C.Rivers
Roll call: All in favor
Vote: Motion carried
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
4.1 For Public Comments, Please See Bylaw on Meeting Conduct
None.
5. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
5.1 District Academic Performance Report
Dr. Charles Hewes presented the Academic Performance Report for the district.
Dr. Hewes stated that student score data needs to be handled with care. Dr. Hewes
discussed important items of note:
1. The students tested in 2022 are different from the students tested in 2023.
2. The percentage of students meeting benchmark do not represent the total population of
students enrolled in Colchester Public Schools.
3. Tests are short and assess only skills related to reading, math, and science.
4. The Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) assessment given to
students in grades K-2 is not administered by the State, so results are not available on
EdSight.
Dr. Hewes recognized students and academic highlights from the Class of 2023. Dr.
Hewes reported overall district student achievement (67% of students meeting benchmark
in literacy, 63% in math and 68% in science).
Dr. Hewes discussed student achievement by school in literacy, math and science. Dr.
Hewes said a lot of work has been done by staff and instructional coaches in regard to
student performance.
Christopher Rivers stated that the District has done a very good job in not using Covid as
an excuse for student data while still recognizing that it has affected student performance.
Mr. Rivers said it is important to have great teachers and staff in the classrooms and
throughout the District and thanked staff for all of the work that they do. Mr. Rivers
asked what the best practices are for students in regard to their education and how the
Board could assist students and their education.
Dr. Hewes encouraged the Board to look at the data to see where they can put resources
to directly support students. Dr. Hewes said it is important to make time in the schedule
that is allotted for curriculum work and investing in training new teachers in the District
to ensure that they have the skills to help children using cutting edge research.
6. *CONSENT AGENDA
6.1 *Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes of September 12, 2023
Motion by: C. Rivers
To approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of September 12, 2023
Second: M.Gignac
Roll call: All in favor
Vote: Motion carried
7. POLICIES – FIRST READ
7.1 9250 Remuneration
Policy was a first read; no action was taken. Ms. Antonacci asked that the name be
changed to reimbursement for second reading.
8. *POLICIES - SECOND READ
8.1 *1180 Memorials to Deceased Students and Staff
Item removed from agenda.
9. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS / COMMITTEES
9.1 Reports from Board Liaisons
● Board of Selectmen: Donna Antonacci
None.
● Board of Finance: Christopher Rivers
None.
● P&R Commission: Margo Gignac
None.
● PTO Collaborative: Margo Gignac
None.
● C3 Collaborative: Rosemary Gignac
None.
● Commission on Aging: Mary Tomasi
None.
● Youth & Social Services: Michelle Millington
None.
9.2 Reports from Board Committees
● Budget Finance Committee
Mr. Rivers discussed where fees incurred by the District are allocated:
- Pay-to-Play at WJJMS approximately $16,000 will be collected - $9,000
would go to athletics for events and buses and $7,00 to officials and other
fees.
- Pay-to-Play at BA approximately $85,000 will be collected - $73,000
would go to athletics for buses and $12,000 to officials and other fees.
- Preschool Tuition - approximately $134,010 will be collected - $92,760
will go to and $41,250 to paraprofessional salaries.
- BA Student Parking - approximately $20,00 will be collected and will be
used to offset transportation expenditures at Bacon Academy.
● Policy Committee
None.
● Curriculum Committee
None.
● Facilities Committee
None.
Margo Gignac stated that the Superintendent had a very good meeting with students,
families, staff, and the Board in regard to moving the District forward.
10. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INFORMATION ITEMS
10.1 Next Meetings
● Policy Committee Meeting: Tuesday, October 3, 2023
● Budget Finance Committee Meeting: Wednesday, October 4, 2023
● Curriculum Committee Meeting: Monday, October 16, 2023
● BOE Regular Meeting: Tuesday, October 24, 2023
10.2 Notices of Retirement/Resignation
● Thomas Kessler
● Tammy McGee
● Lily Reisner
● Alison Dougherty
11. PUBLIC COMMENT
11.1 For Public Comments, Please See Bylaw on Meeting Conduct
None.
Chair Oliphant thanked Dr. Hewes for all of his dedication to the school district. The
Board of Education gave Dr. Hewes a card and expressed their appreciation for all he has
done.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Oliphant adjourned the meeting at 6:35 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Heather R. Petit
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent/Board Clerk