180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
January 4, 2006
The following members were present: Mayor Bissonnette, Dana Cutter, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Debra Styckiewicz, Susan Lopes, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.
Absent was Michael Pise.
Also present were: Richard Rege Jr., Shirley Alvira, James Devine, JoAnn Kupiec, Debra Schneeweis, Jon Ferris, Irene Lemieux, Sam Karlin, Deborah Drugan, Steven Bousquet, Atty. Claire Thompson, Sandra Stasiowski, Debbie McCarthy, Sarah Hoar, Public Attendance: Robert Allyn, Sandra Peret, Lisa Bienvenue, Jim Raschilla Julie Knodler, Press: Jeanette DeForge (The Republican).
Call To Order:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bissonnette, Chairperson, 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 Bissonnette - present Mr. Cutter - present
Mr. Barsalou - present Mrs. Wojcik - present
Mr. Pise - absent Mrs. Styckiewicz - present
Mrs. Lopes - present Mr. Lamothe - present
Mrs. Nawrocki - present Mrs. Costello - present
Mr. Szetela - present Mrs. Lecca - present
The roll call indicated 11 members present – 1 absent.
Election of Officers
Mayor Bissonnette called for nominations for Vice-Chairperson. Mrs. Lecca nominated Mrs. Wojcik, Mr. Cutter seconded the nomination. There were no further nominations.
A motion was made by Mrs. Lecca to close nominations for Vice-Chairperson.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - absent Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Mayor Bissonnette congratulated Mrs. Wojcik on being elected Vice-Chairperson.
Election of Officers
Mayor Bissonnette called for nominations for Representative to City Government. Mr. Cutter nominated Mr. Lamothe, Mrs. Lecca seconded the nomination. There were no further nominations.
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to close nominations for Representative to City Government.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - absent Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Mayor Bissonnette congratulated Mr. Lamothe on being elected Representative to City Government.
Public Announcements:
Mr. Rege acknowledged the artwork from Stefanik School and announced that the Chicopee Public Schools Special Education Department had recently received two grants.
Open Public Input:
Lisa Bienvenue welcomed the new members and spoke on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System. James Raschilla spoke on Robert’s Rules of Order and the superintendent’s evaluation metrics.
State of the Schools Address:
Jon Ferris, Principal, Belcher School, Sam Karlin, Principal, Bowe School, Steven Bousquet, Principal, Lambert-Lavoie School, Irene Lemieux, Principal, Selser School, and Deborah Drugan, Principal, Stefanik School gave a brief PowerPoint presentation featuring their schools’ School Improvement Plans, MCAS results, AYP Results, accomplishments and initiatives.
Approval of Minutes:
06-1-1
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on December 21, 2005.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial:
06-1-2
A motion was made by Mr. Barsalou to approve the service contract between the Chicopee Public Schools and Jill Conselino, Athletic Trainer, and to authorize the Chairperson to sign.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - absent Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Communication and Other Matters:
06-1-3
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to approve the School Improvement Plans for Belcher School, Bowe School, Lambert-Lavoie School, Selser School, and Stefanik School contingent upon funding.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - absent Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Old Business:
Full-Time Athletic Trainer
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Costello to refer the possibility of hiring a full-time Athletic Trainer in Fiscal Year 2007 to the Finance and Budget Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Additional Funding for Additional Teaching Assistance in Reading
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to refer possible additional funding to assist all elementary students presently on a “waiting list” for additional teaching assistance in reading as “priority one” to the Finance and Budget Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
New Business:
Mr. Barsalou referred his ideas on incorporating the arts into the core curriculum to Mr. Devine.
Mrs. Wojcik reminded the Committee about the upcoming workshops for new and veteran School Committee members. They are scheduled as follows:
§ Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - Mr. Charles Tetrault (Personnel), Mrs. Shirley Alvira (Student Support and Title I) and Mr. James Devine (Instruction and Accountability)
§ Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - Mr. Ronald Simard (Maintenance), Mrs. Debra Schneeweis (Special Education) and Mrs. Joanne Lennon (School Lunch)
§ Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - Mrs. JoAnn Kupiec (Budget)
Mrs. Wojcik also reminded the
Committee that there will be a briefing session held before every Regular School
Committee Meeting.
Executive Session:
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcik to adjourn into executive session at 8:30 PM for the purpose of approving Executive Session minutes and discussing litigation and we will return to the regular order of business, non-televised.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - absent Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Return to Regular Order of Business:
The following members were present: Mayor Bissonnette, Dana Cutter, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Debra Styckiewicz, Susan Lopes, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.
Absent was Michael Pise.
Also present were: Richard Rege Jr. Debra Schneeweis, Atty. Claire Thompson, Sandra Stasiowski, and Sarah Hoar.
Re-Call to Order:
The meeting was re-called to order by Mayor Bissonnette, Chairperson, at 8:58 PM.
Adjournment:
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to adjourn at 9:00 PM
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Richard W. Rege Jr.
School Committee Secretary