180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
December 6, 2006
The following members were present: Dana Cutter, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Deborah Styckiewicz, Susan Lopes (8:12 AM), Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.
Absent was Mayor Michael Bissonnette.
Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Shirley Alvira, James Devine, Stephen Nembirkow, Debra Schneeweis, Sarah Hoar, Claire Thompson, Esq., Debbie McCarthy, Kenneth Widelo, Roland Joyal, Stanley Kozikowski, Ann Sullivan, Jonathan Baru, Ken Parsons, Melvin Brown, Kathy Mitchell (Chicopee Register) and Jeanette DeForge (The Republican).
Superintendent’s Briefing:
The Superintendent’s briefing convened at 6:30 PM. Mr. Rege, Superintendent of Schools, reviewed the evening’s agenda.
Call To Order:
The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Wojcik, Vice-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 - absent Mr. Cutter - present
Mr. Barsalou - present Mrs. Wojcik - present
Mr. Pise - present Mrs. Styckiewicz - present
Mrs. Lopes - absent Mr. Lamothe - present
Mrs. Nawrocki - present Mrs. Costello - present
Mr. Szetela - present Mrs. Lecca - present
The roll call indicated 10 members present and 2 absent.
Public Announcements:
Mr. Rege announced school-related news, awards, and activities of interest to the viewing public.
Open Public Input: Melvin Brown addressed the Committee regarding violence.
Visitors: State of the Schools Presentation (Chicopee Comprehensive High School, Chicopee High School,
Career and Technical Education Division)
Mr. Kozikowski, Mr. Joyal and Mr. Widelo gave a brief PowerPoint presentation which showed their MCAS scores, AYP Status and new initiatives. Ken Parsons and Jonathan Baru addressed the Committee regarding drop out prevention.
Approval of Minutes:
06-12-1
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on November 15, 2006.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
06-12-2
A motion was made by Mr. Barsalou to approve the bills totaling $1,103,242.60 (Warrant S112406).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes 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.
06-12-3
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to approve the bills totaling $452,463.72 (Warrant S120806).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - abstain
Mr. Pise - yes 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 10 yes – 1 abstained – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
*Mrs. Wojcik abstained due to a conflict of interest.
06-12-4
A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to award the bid for bread products to Freihofer Sales Company Inc., the lowest qualified bidder.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes 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.
06-12-5
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Cafeteria Association and the Chicopee School Committee and to authorize the Chairperson to sign.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes 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.
Reports:
06-12-6
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to receive the minutes of the Facilities Subcommittee held on November 27, 2006.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Communications and Other Matters:
06-12-7
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to approve the home education plans as listed.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-12-8
A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to authorize Litwin School to accept a donation of an ELMO Visual Presenter from the Johnny Yee Scholarship Fund.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes 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.
06-12-9
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to authorize the Career and Technical Education Division to accept a donation of a 1997 Plymouth Breeze from Jeff Procon.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes 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.
06-12-10
A motion was made by Mr. Szetela to waive the School Committee Meetings policy (File: B13) be waived so that the Salary Task Force meeting scheduled for tomorrow, December 7, 2006, may begin at 6:30 PM.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes 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.
Mr. Barsalou left at 9:15 PM; Mrs. Lecca left at 9:20 PM.
Old Business:
Recognition of Comprehensive High School Varsity Football Team’s Superbowl Victory
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to recognize the Comprehensive High School Football team on wining the Superbowl on December 2, 2006 – the year 2006 is the Year of the Colt.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn into Executive Session at 9:30 PM for the purpose of approving Executive Session minutes, collective bargaining and discussing individual contracts and we will return to the regular order of business, non-televised.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - absent Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
The meeting ended during Executive Session due to the lack of a quorum.