180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
September 7, 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 Rege Jr., Charles Tetrault, Shirley Alvira, James Devine, JoAnn Kupiec, Debra Schneeweis, Atty. Claire Thompson, Sandra Stasiowski, Terry Glusko, Sarah Hoar, Public Attendance: Sharon Nawrocki, Adam Lamontagne, Press: Jeanette DeForge (The Republican).
Call To Order:
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Mayor Goyette, at 7:00 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: Susan Lopes, Ward 6.
Public Announcements:
Mr. Rege told the School Committee about the first day of school, informed them of a few special education transportation problems, and promoted the Jimmys Stuff the Stocking Golf Tournament.
Public Input: None
Visitors: None
Approval of Minutes:
05-9-1
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on August 17, 2005. Attachment #1
Hand vote 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
05-9-2
A motion was made by Mr. Brooks to approve the Transfer of Funds (3) totaling $564,559.
The roll call vote was as follows: Attachment #2
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.
05-9-3
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to appoint Shirley Alvira as Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services.
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.
05-9-4
A motion was made by Rev. Tetherly to approve the employment contract between the Chicopee School Committee and Shirley Alvira, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services and to authorize the Chairperson to sign. Attachment #3
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.
05-9-5
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to appoint Thomas Mazza as Business Manager.
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.
Financial Matters (cont.):
05-9-6
A motion was made by Mr. Chapdelaine to approve the employment contract between the Chicopee School Committee and Thomas Mazza, Business Manager and to authorize the Chairperson to sign. Attachment #4
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.
05-9-7
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to appoint Deborah Schneeweis as Director of Special Education.
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.
05-9-8
A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the employment contract between the Chicopee School Committee and Deborah Schneeweis, Director of Special Education as corrected and to authorize the Chairperson to sign. Attachment #5
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.
05-9-9
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the employment contract between Richard Rege Jr., Superintendent of Schools, and Derek Morrison, Principal, Chicopee Academy, and to authorize the Chairperson to sign. 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.
Communication and Other Matters:
05-9-10
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Szetela to approve the home education plans as listed.
Hand vote 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
05-9-11
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Wojcik to accept the following completed roof replacement projects for school purposes: Barry, Belcher, Bellamy, Bowe, Bowie, Chicopee High School (650 Front Street), Lambert-Lavoie, Litwin, Selser, Stefanik and Streiber.
Hand vote 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
05-9-12
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to authorize the School Department to accept a donation of $100 from the Knights of Columbus Holyoke Council #90.
Hand vote 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
05-9-13
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Brooks to authorize Bellamy Middle School to accept a donation of $1,050 from the Great East Festival.
Hand vote 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
05-9-14
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to authorize the Telecommunications Department to videotape for telecasting on CSC-TV, Cable Channel 5, the Mayoral Debate the week of October 3, 2005, at no cost to the city.
Hand vote 11 present in favor 1 abstention* and the motion PASSED.
*Mayor Goyette abstained.
05-9-15
VOTED: On motion by Rev. Tetherly to authorize the City Clerk to use the following schools for Preliminary Elections, September 20, 2005, and Municipal Elections, November 8, 2005: Barry School (Preliminary and Municipal), Bellamy Middle School (Municipal only), Bowe School (Municipal only), Chicopee Academy (Preliminary and Municipal), Litwin School (Municipal only), Selser School (Municipal only), and Stefanik School (Municipal only).
Hand vote 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
Old Business:
Act to Promote Proper School Nutrition
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Costello that the Chicopee School Committee support the Act to Promote Proper School Nutrition (H. 1457) and send a letter to our local delegation urging them to support this bill as well.
Hand vote 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
School Spring
Kevin Kelly, SchoolSpring, briefly introduced the SchoolSpring program to the Committee and answered the members questions.
Old Business (cont.):
MSBA Reimbursement Funds
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to establish an account for the renovation of the old Chicopee High School building (650 Front Street) and to request from the Mayor and Board of Aldermen that the reimbursement funds received from the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the replacement of the roof and masonry repairs at the old Chicopee High School building (paid for by the school department) be returned to the school department and deposited in the above-referenced account.
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.
YMCA Lease Agreements Bellamy and Litwn
A motion was made by Mrs. Lecca to approve the lease agreements between the Chicopee School Committee and the Metropolitan Springfield YMCA for conducting after-school programs at Bellamy Middle School and Litwin School. Attachment #7
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.
New Business
Government Intern Program
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Pise that the school department review a proposal to establish a Government Internship Course for high school seniors and report back to the Committee in October.
Hand vote 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
Adjournment:
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Wojcik to adjourn at 8:40 PM
Hand vote 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Richard W. Rege Jr.
School Committee Secretary
RWR/sh