Regular Meeting of the School Committee

180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020

Approved and recommendations
adopted without corrections
Reg SC Mtg 8/17/05

Text Box: Approved and recommendations adopted without corrections Reg SC Mtg 8/17/05    

 

July 13, 2005

The following members were present:  Mayor Goyette, Dana Cutter, Shane Brooks, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Rev. Jonathan Tetherly, Susan Lopes, Donald Lamothe, Ronald Chapdelaine, Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.

  

Also present were:  Richard J. Cunningham, Shirley Alvira, Daniel Schreier, JoAnn Kupiec, Atty. Claire Thompson, Sandra Stasiowski, Deborah Wandas Socha, Debbie McCarthy, Public Attendance: Adam Lamontagne, Press: Jeanette DeForge (The Republican).

 

Call To Order:

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Mayor Goyette, at 7:03 PM and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Moment of Silence:

A moment of silence was observed for those who serve in the military and for others who help to protect us.

 

 

Roll Call Board Attendance:

Mayor Goyette            - present                      Mr. Cutter                   - present         

Mr. Brooks                  - present                      Mrs. Wojcik                 - present

            Mr. Pise                       - present                      Rev. Tetherly               - present

            Mrs. Lopes                  - present                      Mr. Lamothe               - present

            Mr. Chapdelaine         - present                      Mrs. Costello               - present

Mr. Szetela                 - present                      Mrs. Lecca                  - present

The roll call indicated 12 members present.

 

 

Roll Call Vote Order:

Name drawn to begin roll call voting for this meeting:  Chester Szetela, At Large.

 

 

Public Announcements:        

Mr. Cunningham congratulated our new Superintendent of Schools, Richard W. Rege.  A brief presentation was given by Susan Casty from the  YMCA who spoke of all the accomplishments of the YMCA and distributed an informational booklet.  The Policy Subcommittee meeting on July 20, 2005 has been cancelled.

 

 

Public Input:               None

 

 

Visitors:                      None

 

 

Approval of Minutes:

 

 

05-7-1                                                                            

VOTED:  On motion by Mrs. Lecca to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on June 15, 2005.                                                                                                Attachment #1

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

 

05-7-2                                                                            

VOTED: On motion by Mr. Brooks to approve the minutes of the Committee As A Whole Meeting of the School Committee/Superintendent Search Committee Meeting held on June 22, 2005.         Attachment #2           

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

05-7-3                                                                            

VOTED: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to approve the minutes of the Committee As A Whole Meeting of the School Committee held on June 27, 2005.                                                                       Attachment #3 

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

05-7-4                                                                            

VOTED: On motion by Rev. Tetherly to approve the minutes of the Committee As A Whole Meeting of the School Committee/Superintendent Search Committee Meeting held on June 28, 2005.     Attachment #4            Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

 

05-7-5                                                                            

VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Costello to approve the minutes of the Committee As A Whole Meeting of the School Committee/Superintendent Search Committee Meeting held on June 29, 2005.    Attachment #5           

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

Financial Matters:

 

05-7-6                                                                            

VOTED: A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the Transfer of Funds (1) totaling $44,570.37.                                                                                                                                                  Attachment #6                       

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - yes                             Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 12 yes  and the motion PASSED.

 

 

05-7-7                                                                            

VOTED:  On motion by Mrs. Lecca to delete agenda item 05-7-7.                                                                              

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

 

Financial Matters (cont.):

 

05-7-8                                                                            

A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the Agreement for Educational Staffing between the Chicopee Public Schools and Kelly Services, Inc. for the period September 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, and to authorize the Chairperson to sign.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - abstain*

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - abstain*                    Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 10  yes  – 2 abstentions and the motion PASSED.

* Abstained due to conflict of interest.

 

 

05-7-9                                                                            

A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to authorize the Chicopee Academy to establish a Student Activity Account for the purpose of conducting student activities, in compliance with M.G.L. Chapter 71, Section 47.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - yes                             Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 12 yes  and the motion PASSED.

 

 

Reports:

 

 

05-7-10                                                                        

VOTED:  On motion by Mr. Szetela to receive the Superintendent’s Report of Personnel Action taken.

Attachment #7               

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

 

       

05-7-11                                                                        

VOTED:  On motion by Mrs. Wojcik to receive the Spring Semester 2005 Continuing Education Report.

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

 

 

Communication and Other Matters:

 

05-7-12                                                                        

VOTED:  On motion by Mrs. Lecca to approve the 2005-2006 School Committee Meeting Schedule.

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

 

 

Communication and Other Matters (cont.):

 

05-7-13                                                                        

A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to waive the first reading of the Transfer of Funds Policy.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - yes                             Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 12 yes  and the motion PASSED.

 

05-7-14                                                                        

A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to approve the second reading of the Transfer of Funds policy as amended.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - yes                             Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 12 yes  and the motion PASSED.

 

05-7-15                                                                        

VOTED:  On motion by Rev. Tetherly to authorize the Chicopee Public Schools/Szetela Early Childhood School  to accept the donation of $500.00 from Wal-Mart on behalf of the Chicopee Community Partnership for Children, and to authorize Litwin School to accept the donation of $1,000.00 from Wal-Mart Foundation.

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

 

05-7-16                                                                        

VOTED:  On motion by Mrs. Costello to approve the 2005-2006 Fluoride Mouthrinse Program for grades 1 through 5.

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

 

05-7-17                                                                        

VOTED:  On motion by Mr. Chapdelaine to approve the home education plans as listed.

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

 

Old Business:

 

Chicopee Comprehensive High School

VOTED:  On motion by Mrs. Costello to request that Mount Vernon Group and Gilbane make a presentation to the School Committee and the public on the building of the new Chicopee Comprehensive High School at the next televised meeting (August 17, 2005).                   

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

 

 

Old Business (cont.):

 

State Reimbursement Funds

VOTED:  On motion by Mr. Pise that the School Department request that the Mayor and Board of Aldermen provide the State reimbursement funds from the old Chicopee High School roof and mason repairs to be used to refurbish the old Chicopee High School for a K-8 or middle school.

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

 

Surplus Property

VOTED:  On motion by Mr. Pise to declare Chapin as Surplus Property.

This motion was withdrawn.

 

Chapin School Report

VOTED:  On motion by Mr. Pise to request that Mount Vernon Group provide the School Committee with a report on the potential reuse of Chapin School at our next meeting in August.

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

 

New Business:

 

Medicaid Reimbursement

A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to request from Mayor Goyette $171,000.00 in Medicaid Reimbursement funds for the following: elevator repairs at two schools, partial payment of Notification Technologies, Inc., and two vehicles for the Maintenance Department.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - yes                             Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 12 yes  and the motion PASSED.

 

No Child Left Behind “Opt-Out”

VOTED:  On motion by Rev. Tetherly that the School Department provide information to parents of all high school students on the “opt-out” provision of the No Child Left Behind Law and that this issue be referred to Atty. Thompson for research and interpretation.

Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.

 

Executive Session

A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcik to adjourn into Executive Session at 8:07 PM for the purpose of approving Executive Session minutes, collective bargaining, potential litigation, discussing labor relation services and discussing an individual contract, and we will return to the regular order of business, non-televised.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - yes                             Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 12 yes  and the motion PASSED.

 

 

Return to Regular Order of Business:

 

The following members were present:  Mayor Goyette, Dana Cutter, Shane Brooks, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Rev. Jonathan Tetherly, Susan Lopes, Donald Lamothe, Mary Beth Costello, Chester Szetela and Susan Lecca.

 

Absent was Ronald Chapdelaine.

 

 

Re-Call to Order:

The meeting was re-called to order by Chairperson, Mayor Goyette, at 9:45 PM.

 

 

Roll Call Board Attendance:

Mayor Goyette            - present                      Mr. Cutter                   - present         

Mr. Brooks                  - present                      Mrs. Wojcik                 - present

            Mr. Pise                       - present                      Rev. Tetherly               - present

            Mrs. Lopes                  - present                      Mr. Lamothe               - present

            Mr. Chapdelaine         - absent                       Mrs. Costello               - present

Mr. Szetela                 - present                      Mrs. Lecca                  - present

The roll call indicated 11 members present – 1 absent.

1.      Collective Bargaining

A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the Agreement between The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1459 – AFL-CIO and the Chicopee School Committee Public School Custodial Contract Unit and to authorize the Chairperson to sign.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - abstain*                    Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - abstain*                    Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - absent                       Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 9  yes  – 2 abstentions – 1 absent  and the motion PASSED.

* Mr. Brooks and Mrs. Lopes abstained  due to a conflict of interest.

 

 

2.      Potential Litigation – Laidlaw

A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the Laidlaw settlement.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - absent                       Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent  and the motion PASSED.

  

 

3.      Approval of Minutes – February 16, 2005:

A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the minutes of the Executive Session Meeting of the School Committee held on February 16, 2005, releasing item 1 and keeping item 2 in Executive Session.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - absent                       Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent  and the motion PASSED.

 

4.      Approval of Minutes – May 16, 2005:

A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the minutes of the Executive Session Meeting of the School Committee held on May 16, 2005, keeping item 1 in Executive Session.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - absent                       Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent  and the motion PASSED.

 

5.      Approval of Minutes – May 24, 2005:

A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the minutes of the Executive Session Meeting of the School Committee held on May 24, 2005, keeping item 1 in Executive Session.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - absent                       Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent  and the motion PASSED.

 

6.      Approval of Minutes – June 15, 2005:

A motion was made by Mrs. Lecca to approve the minutes of the Executive Session Meeting of the School Committee held on June 15, 2005, releasing items 1, 2 and 4, keeping item 3 in Executive Session.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - absent                       Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent  and the motion PASSED.

 

7.      Labor Relation Services

A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the appointment of Attorneys Sullivan, Hayes and Quinn for Labor Relations Services for a 3 year term, pending on contract negotiations.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - no                              Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - absent                       Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - no                              Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 9 yes – 2 opposed - 1 absent  and the motion PASSED.

 

8.  Individual Contract

A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to approve the employment contract between the Chicopee Public Schools and Richard W. Rege, Jr., Superintendent of Schools for the period July 18, 2005 to July 18, 2007 as amended and to authorize the chairperson to sign.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - absent                       Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent  and the motion PASSED.

 

Adjournment:

A motion was made by Mr. Brooks to adjourn at 9:46 PM

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                 

Mayor Goyette            - yes                             Mr. Cutter                   - yes

Mr. Brooks                  - yes                             Mrs. Wojcik                - yes

            Mr. Pise                      - yes                             Rev. Tetherly              - yes

            Mrs. Lopes                  - yes                             Mr. Lamothe               - yes

            Mr. Chapdelaine        - absent                       Mrs. Costello              - yes    

Mr. Szetela                  - yes                             Mrs. Lecca                  - yes

The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent  and the motion PASSED.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Richard J. Cunningham

School Committee Secretary

 

RJC/dlws