Colchester Public Schools

The meeting involved a priority discussion regarding budget presentations from the Administrative Team covering Bocon Academy (BA), Athletics, Special Education, Facilities, and Technology. Board members questioned specific budget line items, including maintenance and capital outlay for building upgrades, heating oil costs, electric rates, staffing levels, and funding for new BA courses (guitars). Discussions addressed bus contract savings, overtime monitoring for snow removal, stipend policies governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the scope of the Virtual High School offering, and funding for guest clinicians and NCCJ partnerships. There was extensive discussion regarding staffing levels, particularly Office Professional positions at BA and the roles of Assistant Principals, as well as the number of out-of-district special education placements and the new BCBA position. Citizen Q&A focused heavily on preserving teaching positions despite budget pressures, the need for transparency regarding reserve fund rebuilding, and clarifying the budget proposal stage before potential cuts by the Board of Finance. The Board subsequently voted to table discussion regarding an insurance waiver process until a Special Meeting scheduled for March 3, 2026.

The meeting began with call to order and roll call, followed by the approval of agenda item movements. Recognitions were made for Fall Clubs at William J. Johnston Middle School, highlighting various activities and announcing future opportunities. Public comment included requests for an exemption for a student to attend a Japan trip and reconsideration regarding the Lego Robotics Team not being offered next year. Student Board Member reports covered successes in winter athletics and music programs, along with congratulatory notes for student achievements. Old Business included the approval of final necessary repairs for the HVAC project at BA to avoid a bid process, a report on the status of the Fire Panel at CES requiring replacement due to mechanical malfunctions, and an update on the Athletic Complex Building Committee following a public hearing. New Business involved the approval of proposed new courses for the 2026-2027 school year (AP Psychology, Beginning Guitar, and Guitar Seminar) and an overview of the mid-year personnel report. The Superintendent reported on the optional Family Reading History Survey requirement and the commencement of the audit process for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The staff also initiated a Winter Wellness Challenge for January. The Budget Finance Committee reported on an upcoming deep dive into the Health Reserve and approved budget transfers over $5,000. The Curriculum Committee met to review the newly approved courses. The session concluded with the Board entering an Executive Session for the mid-year evaluation of the Superintendent before adjourning.

The meeting included the presentation of the Superintendent's Proposed 2026-2027 Budget, which outlined financial priorities, current challenges, and key cost drivers such as contractual salary obligations, benefits, special education services, transportation, and general operating expenses. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the district's self-insured health insurance program and the decline in the health reserve balance due to recent claims experience. The Board discussed steps to rebuild the reserve fund, with the district's Insurance Broker providing input. During the public comment session, concerns were raised regarding the projected depletion of the health reserve, calls for an immediate $1 million contribution from the Board of Education, and skepticism about promised salary freezes for staff versus compensation for leadership. Teachers expressed strong opposition to proposed salary freezes, citing historical underpayment and the perception that staff were being asked to shoulder the financial burden resulting from errors they did not create, while leadership compensation was unaffected.

This document outlines the academic programs and requirements for Bacon Academy for the 2026-2027 academic year, serving as a comprehensive guide for students and parents in making informed educational decisions. The institution upholds core values including respect, responsibility, achievement, safety, and compassion. The plan emphasizes developing students' abilities in effective communication, collaboration, community contribution, exploration of diverse experiences, understanding global themes, engaging in inquiry, problem-solving, information analysis, substantiating claims, and ethical technology use, all designed to prepare students for individualized educational and post-secondary goals.

The board convened in an executive session to discuss attorney-client privileged communication regarding legal steps for conducting a forensic audit. Following the session, the board approved a waiver of the competitive bid process to authorize the engagement of a forensic auditor to review the funding of the Insurance Reserve Fund.