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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
Colchester, CT
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
6:00 PM
The Commons (Black Box Theater)
William J. Johnston Middle School
360 Norwich Avenue, Colchester
MINUTES
OARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Alexander Oliphant,Vice Chair Mary Tomasi,
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Secretary Margo Gignac, Donna Antonacci, Rosemary Gignac, Michelle Millington, Christopher
Rivers
DMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Daniel P.Sullivan, III, Assistant
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Superintendent Jessica L. Kuckel, Principal of Colchester Elementary School Judy O’Meara,
Assistant Principal of Colchester Elementary School Meghan Amado
THERS PRESENT: Business Director Rachel Linkkila,Executive Assistant to the
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Superintendent/Board Clerk Heather Petit, Instructional Technology Coordinator Barbara
Johnson
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. RECOGNITIONS/ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
2.1 Colchester Elementary School Stars of Honor
rincipal of Colchester Elementary School (CES) Judy O’Meara and Assistant Principal
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of Meghan Amado, recognized the scholastic achievement of CES Stars of Honors in
Grades K-2. Ms. Aamdo said the students were also recognized at the October 14, 2023
UConn Men’s Soccer game. The following students were recognized:
indergarten Stars of Honor: Carleigh DiFronzo-Hayes, Salem Singletary, Aashi Patel,
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Levi Trant, Vincent Capodicci, Sylvia Pastuszak, Andrew McGlynn, Theodore Ryan,
Greyson Gianini
rade 1 Stars of Honor:Jeremias Bermudez-Garces,Brooks Naples, Madisyn Faski,
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Remi Kent, Nadine Badu, Adelynn Lumadue, Florence Morse, Brigham Bell, Bonnie
Oddis
rade 2 Stars of Honor: McKinley Petersen, KarterUzialko, Finn Stahl, Garrett
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Kerrigan, Oliver De Leon Nadeau, Porter Winters, Carson Reid, Henry Szczur, Skylar
Bigelow, Lucas Payne, Lorenzo Christy, Emma Kennedy
3. STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS REPORT
3.1 Student Board Member Report
rooke Dean gave the student board member report. Ms. Dean said Bacon Academy held
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their homecoming dance this past weekend. Prior to the dance, Bacon Academy had
spirit week and afterward the homecoming football game. Ms. Dean said that there will
be an upcoming event, Powder Puff, where junior and senior girls will play under the
lights at Cougar Field, playing flag football coached by the football team. Ms. Dean
reported that for Breast Cancer Awareness, Interact is hosting “manis for a cure” where
students can get their nails done for a donation of five dollars.
s. Dean said that William J. Johnston Middle School held their annual book fair on
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Monday. At JJIS Jack-to-Lantern is being hosted by the PTO from 6:00-8:00 PM on
Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
Ms. Dean said the biggest concern is getting the football fields back together.
4. *ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
4.1 New Agenda Items
None.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
5.1 For Public Comments, Please See Bylaw on Meeting Conduct
None.
6. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
6.1 Update from the Superintendent
Superintendent Sullivan gave an update on safety staff. Mr. Sullivan stated that the
District is fully staffed with a School Safety Officer (SSO) at each school. In addition the
District has a substitute SSO to help cover if anyone is out. Mr. Sullivan stated there will
be training this week and also on election day for the SSOs. Superintendent Sullivan
reported that the school safety plan has been submitted to the state and a flip chart on
school emergencies is in process of being completed and will be distributed to staff
throughout the schools.
r. Sullivan said that he is working with Business Director, Rachel Linkkila, on the
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HVAC grant submission to address the HVAC needs at Bacon Academy.
uperintendent Sullivan discussed the new state law on kindergarten start age. Mr.
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Sullivan stated that the state Department of Education is working on guidance for
districts in regard to the new start date.
r. Sullivan stated that the district is currently working on the 2024-2025 budget and
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each school/department will submit their budgets in Excel by Thanksgiving to the
Superintendent and Business Director. Mr. Sullivan stated that he will be meeting with
newly elected Board members and others on the budget process.
uperintendent Sullivan stated that the Pride and Purpose committees have begun to
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meet. Mr. Sullivan stated that if people are still interested in being involved with a
committee, they can email him and he will let the committee chairs know of their interest.
7. *CONSENT AGENDA
7.1 *Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes of September 26, 2023
7.2 *WJJMS Grade 8 Band/Chorus Field Trip to Broadway in NY
7.3 *WJJMS Grade 8 Band/Chorus Field Trip to Six Flags in Agawam, MA
7.4 *BA Band Field Trip to Symphony Hall in Boston, MA
7.5 *BA Choir Field Trip to Broadway in NY
otion by:M.Gignac
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To approve the consent agenda as presented.
Second:R.Gignac
Roll call:All in favor.
Vote:Motion carried.
8. POLICIES – FIRST READ
8.1 9110 Oath of Office
8.2 9325 Meeting Conduct
8.3 9326 Minutes/Taping/Broadcasting
onna Antonacci discussed the first read of policies 9110, 9325, and 9326. Ms.
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Antonacci stated that 9110 Oath of Office is an update from Shipman & Goodwin and the
Committee added language as well that Oath of Office would be per charter to cover any
future charter changes. Ms. Antonacci stated that policy 9325 is recommended for
removal. Ms. Antonacci stated that policy 9326 Minutes is an update from Shipman &
Goodwin which has language regarding electronic meetings. Discussion was had on the
9326 and recommendation was to change the word “reduced” in writing to “summarized”
in writing.
9. *POLICIES - SECOND READ
9.1 *1180 Memorials to Deceased Students and Staff
s. Antonacci stated that the Committee had discussion on policy 1180 given feedback
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received from Shipman & Goodwin. Superintendent Sullivan recommended that any
memorial the District may do be a dedicated space at each school for individuals that
have passed away during their time at the school.
iscussion was had in regard to a fundraising activity at Bacon to purchase bricks. Mr.
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Sullivan stated that if the Pride and Purpose Facilities Committee brought that
r ecommendation forward it would have to be approved by the Board prior to
implementing.
otion by:D.Antonacci
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To approve policies 1180
Second:M.Tomasi
Roll call:All in favor
Vote:Motion carried.
9.2 *9250 Remuneration
otion by:D.Antonacci
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To approve policy 9250
Second:A. Oliphant
Roll call:All in favor
Vote:Motion carried
10.REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS / COMMITTEES
10.1 Reports from Board Liaisons
● Board of Selectmen: Donna Antonacci
Ms. Antonacci stated there will be a town meeting in regard to the senior
center as well as a town meeting this Thursday for a tax exemption for
Colchester firefighters. Mr. Bisbikos and Mr. LaChappelle gave thanks to
Dr. Charles Hewes for his service to Colchester Public Schools.
● Board of Finance: Christopher Rivers
Mr. Rivers reiterated the town meeting and subsequent referendum on the
senior center. Mr. Rivers stated that the audit from last year is still being
finalized and that the audit for this past year has already started. Mr.
Rivers stated that Rachel has been assisting the town to help close out the
WJJMS bonding which should result in a significant reimbursement to the
town.
r. Rivers spoke to the July and August monthly financial reports. Mr.
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Rivers stated that the significant change in the salary line used from July
to August is due to the majority of staff salaries first hitting the budget in
August which are then encumbered for the fiscal year.
r. Rivers presented transparency software that he created to track
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monthly Board expenditures. Mr. Rivers said that he has heard many
community members speak of wanting more transparency. He said that
companies offer this service often at a significant cost; however, he was
able to build one at no cost using open source statistical software R/R
Studio). Mr. Rivers presented the transparency software and asked the
Board to review it and let him know any questions or changes they would
like to see. Mr. Rivers stated that he would volunteer time to train the
Board of Education finance office to support its use.
ichelle Millington thanked Mr. Rivers for building the software for the
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Board. Ms. Millington stated that this will be easier for many to review
where money is being spent.
● P&R Commission: Margo Gignac
None.
● PTO Collaborative: Margo Gignac
None.
● C3 Collaborative: Rosemary Gignac
Ms. Gignac said that at the last meeting the collaborative discussed budget
items and a grant they will be submitting.
● Commission on Aging: Mary Tomasi
None.
● Youth & Social Services: Michelle Millington
Ms. Millington stated that Youth & Social Services put a presentation
online about child anxiety which is a great resource.
10.2 Reports from Board Committees
● Budget Finance Committee
Report given during liaison report.
● Policy Committee
No further report.
● Curriculum Committee
None.
● Facilities Committee
Mr. Rivers stated that the committee may work on an updated Capital
Improvement Plan depending on what the Pride and Purpose Facilities
recommends moving forward.
11.BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INFORMATION ITEMS
11.1 Next Meetings
● Budget Finance Committee Meeting: Wednesday, November 1 2023
● BOE Regular Meeting: Tuesday, November 14, 2023
11.2 ctober 1, 2023 Enrollment
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The enrollment was 2,161 for October 1.
11.3 ersonnel Report
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Informational only; attachment in Board packet.
11.3 Notices of Retirement/Resignation
Valerie Stanton
●
● Erin Hermann
● Gregg Shalor
12.PUBLIC COMMENT
12.1 For Public Comments, Please See Bylaw on Meeting Conduct
r. Sullivan asked that the Board add two topics for executive session; a legal matter and
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a personnel matter.
otion by:M.Gignac
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To add two items to executive session including a legal matter (13.2) and a personnel
matter (13.3).
Second:M.Millington
Roll call:All in favor
Vote:Motion carried.
otion by:M.Gignac
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To recess for two minutes.
Second:D.Antonacci
Roll call:All in favor
Vote:Motion carried.
13.*EXECUTIVE SESSION
13.1 *Discussion on the Colchester Association of School Administrators Contract for
2024-2027 (proposed for Executive Session)
13.2 * Discussion on a legal matter (added to the agenda; proposed for executive
session)
13.3 * Discussion on a personnel matter (added to the agenda; proposed for executive
session)
otion by:M.Gignac
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To move into executive session at 7:01 PM for discussion regarding the Colchester
Association of School Administrators contract, a legal matter and a personnel matter;
inviting in Superintendent Daniel Sullivan and Colchester Elementary School Principal
Judy O’Meara for portions of the session.
Second:M.Millington
Roll call:All in favor
Vote:Motion carried
The Board returned to public session at 7:27 PM.
14.*POSSIBLE ACTION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION
14.1 *Colchester Association of School Administrators Contract for 2024-2027
otion by:M.Gignac
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To approve the Colchester Association of School Administrators contract for 2024-2027
Second:C.Rivers
Roll call:All in favor
Vote:Motion carried
15.ADJOURNMENT
Motion by:M.Gignac
To adjourn the meeting at 7:28 PM
Second:D.Antonacci
Roll call:All in favor
Vote:Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
eather R. Petit
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Executive Assistant to the Superintendent/Board Clerk