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COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION
SPECIAL MEETING
Thursday, February 22, 2024
6:00 PM
The Commons at William J. Johnston Middle School
MINUTES
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Alexander Oliphant, Vice-Chair Christopher
Rivers, Secretary Margo Gignac, Donna Antonacci, Michelle Millington, Rosemary Gignac,
Stefanie Tracey-Calash
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Daniel P. Sullivan, III, Assistant
Superintendent Jessica L. Kuckel, Bacon Academy Principal Amy Begué, Colchester
Elementary School Principal Judy O’Meara
OTHERS PRESENT: Business Director Rachel Linkkila, Instructional Technology
Coordinator Barbara Johnson, Bacon Academy Athletic Director Kevin Burke, Bacon
Teacher Matthew Parsons, Facilities Director Andrew Barillari
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Alexander 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
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
3. *PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
3.1 Proposed Capital Plan Presentation
Principal Judy O’Meara & Matthew Parsons presented the proposed Capital Plan.
Under the guidance of the Superintendent, the facilities Pride and Purpose Committee was
assembled to look at the needs within the district. Ms. O’Meara discussed the goals of the
district, the committee's findings, some completed projects as well as the needs that are
outstanding within the properties. The committee has expressed a need to have a project
manager to represent the district needs outside of the building principals, Facility manager and
construction company. The committee also discussed items to be “refreshed.”
The board discussed which items can be addressed through the annual budget and which items
would have to be placed into the Capital Plan.
3.2 Athletic Complex at Bacon Academy
Superintendent Sullivan introduced the staff from Field Turf to present their findings of the
athletic complex at Bacon Academy. Andrew Dyjak-Regional VP for Field Turf, Chris Hulk,
President of Design and Construction for Field Turf, John Luster, Design and Construction
team member. Mr. Dyjak presented other projects Field Turf has completed and the
opportunities Field Turf can offer Colchester. Field Turf their suggestions for the athletic
complex at Bacon including the soccer field, softball field, baseball field, football field as well
as the tennis courts. Field Turf explained the options regarding adding lights to each field
design.
Superintendent Sullivan asked what Field Turfs’s opinion would be on repairing the grass
fields rather than replacing them with turf. Mr. Dyjak explained the process would require the
field to go unused for an entire season to allow the grass to grow correctly & the drainage
work required would be to install updated drainage throughout the fields. Athletic Director,
Mr. Burke discussed the current timeframe of games without the fields being equipped with
lights.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Jeremy Mackenzie- Thank you for all the hard work for the presentation.
Micheal Dubreuil- Thank you for the presentation, did not think of a “bubble” but was
interested in a year-round building. Who does the construction of the facility itself?
5. *ADJOURNMENT
Motion by: M. Gignac
To adjourn
Second: D. Antonacci
Roll call: All in favor
Vote: Motion carried
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Flynn
Executive Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent