180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
February 1, 2006
The following members were present: Mayor Bissonnette, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.
Absent were Dana Cutter, Debra Styckiewicz and Susan Lopes.
Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., James Devine, JoAnn Kupiec, Debra Schneeweis, Derek Morrison, Martha Skiba, Susan Hauschild, Atty. Claire Thompson, Sandra Stasiowski, Sarah Hoar, Public Attendance: Lisa Bienvenue, Sandra Peret, Karin Casey, Jeanna Casey, Dionisio Perez, Dylan Casey, Dezmin Perez, Press: Kathy Mitchell (Chicopee Register) and Jeanette DeForge (The Republican).
Superintendent’s Briefing:
The Superintendent’s briefing convened at 6:30 PM. The Superintendent reviewed the evening’s agenda and the School Committee discussed items they would like to bring up in Old and New Business. Mr. Szetela spoke regarding correspondence from Atty. Thompson regarding Robert’s Rules and School Committee Policy File B13. Mrs. Lecca spoke regarding the procedure for receiving donations. Mr. Pise addressed the “time out” room at Bowe School and the revival of the Curriculum Subcommittee. Mrs. Wojcik voiced concerns regarding the need for a policy restricting the use of cell phones during the school day.
Call To Order:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bissonnette, Chairperson, at 7:08 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 - absent
Mr. Barsalou - present Mrs. Wojcik - present
Mr. Pise - present Mrs. Styckiewicz - absent
Mrs. Lopes - absent Mr. Lamothe - present
Mrs. Nawrocki - present Mrs. Costello - present
Mr. Szetela - present Mrs. Lecca - present
The roll call indicated 9 members present and 3 absent.
Public Announcement:
Mr. Rege acknowledged the artwork from Szetela School, acknowledge the Chef Salute program held this past weekend and announced the Donna Lee concert being held at Chicopee Academy on Friday, February 10, 2006.
Open Public Input:
Karin Casey, Dionisio Perez, Dylan Casey, Dezmin Perez addressed the Committee regarding the creation of a wrestling team. Lisa Bienvenue spoke regarding the Superintendent’s Briefings and Sandra Peret spoke regarding the Chef Salute.
State of the Schools Address: Chicopee Academy
Derek Morrison, Principal, Chicopee Academy, gave a brief PowerPoint presentation on Chicopee Academy’s demographics, MCAS scores, attendance rates, new initiatives and wish lists.
Approval of Minutes:
06-2-1
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to approve the minutes of the Workshop for New School Committee Members held on January 10, 2006.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-2-2
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Barsalou to approve the minutes of the Committee as a Whole Meeting of the School Committee held on January 12, 2006 as revised.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-2-3
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on January 18, 2006.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-2-4
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Costello to approve the report from the Workshop for New School Committee Members held on January 24, 2006.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Reports:
06-2-5
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to receive the Damage to Buildings Report.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Communication and Other Matters:
06-2-6
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Pise to approve the home education plans as listed.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-2-7
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Szetela to authorize Edward Bellamy Middle School to accept a donation of $600 from the Centennial Community Theatre.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-2-8
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to authorize Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School to accept a donation of $600 from the Centennial Community Theatre.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-2-9
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Barsalou to approve the School Improvement Plan for Chicopee Academy contingent upon funding.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-2-10
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to authorize the Telecommunications Department to videotape for telecasting on CSC-TV, Cable Channel 5, the 2006 Chicopee Colleen Coronation Ball at no cost to the School Department.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-2-11
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the contract between the Chicopee Public Schools and Joseph Canata, “School is Where It’s At” Project Coordinator and to authorize the Chairperson to sign.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - abstain Mr. Cutter - absent
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - absent
Mrs. Lopes - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 8 yes – 1 abstained – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
*Mayor Bissonnette abstained due to a conflict of interest.
Old Business:
Wrestling Team
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Costello to request Joan Boratis, Director of Athletics, to research the feasibility of establishing a wrestling program and to refer it to the Finance and Budget Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Referral to Subcommittee
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to refer the acceptance of donations to the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
District Improvement Plan
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to refer the Chicopee Public Schools District Improvement Plan 2003-2006 to a Committee as a Whole Meeting.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Naming of Facilities
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to refer all incoming requests for the naming of school facilities to the Facilities Subcommittee.
The motion was withdrawn.
Mr. Pise requested that Mr. Rege look into the “time-out room” at Patrick E. Bowe School to ensure that it is being used properly.
Curriculum Subcommittee
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Pise to re-establish the Curriculum Subcommittee to review curriculum issues, MCAS performance and accountability data that will meet at least three times a year.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
New Business:
Use of Cell Phones During School Hours
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Wojcik to request Claire Thompson, Esq. to develop a policy on the use of cell phones by staff and students during the school hours and to refer the draft policy directly to the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Two-Year Moratorium
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Pise to impose a two-year moratorium on the naming new sections of the new Chicopee Comprehensive High School, with the current rooms and facilities within the school maintained.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Executive Session:
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcik to adjourn into executive session at 8:52 PM for the purpose of approving Executive Session minutes 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 Bissonnette - yes Mr. Cutter - absent
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - absent
Mrs. Lopes - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Return to Regular Order of Business:
The following members were present: Mayor Bissonnette, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.
Absent was Dana Cutter, Debra Styckiewicz and Susan Lopes.
Also present were: Richard Rege Jr., Atty. Claire Thompson, Sarah Hoar, Press: Kathy Mitchell (Chicopee Register) and Jeanette DeForge (The Republican).
Re-Call to Order:
The meeting was re-called to order by Mayor Bissonnette, Chairperson, at 9:16 PM.
Approval of Minutes
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to approve and release the Executive Session minutes from December 7, 2005 and January 4, 2006.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Adjournment:
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Pise to adjourn at 9:20 PM
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Richard W. Rege, Jr.
School Committee Secretary
RWR/sh