180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
April 26, 2006
The following members were present: Mayor Bissonnette, Dana Cutter, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Debra Styckiewicz, Susan Lopes, Donald Lamothe (9:38 PM), Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.
Absent was Sharon Nawrocki.
Also present were: Shirley Alvira, JoAnn Kupiec, Atty. Claire Thompson, Sarah Hoar, Sandra Stasiowski, Deb McCarthy, Stephanie Grzelak, Michael Drzyzga, Tracy Farrar, Rachel Feyre, James Liu, Kathy Blanchard (Chicopee Register) and Jeanette DeForge (The Republican).
Superintendent’s Briefing:
The Superintendent’s briefing convened at 6:30 PM. Shirley Alvira, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, reviewed the evening’s agenda. The Committee focused their discussion on the contract for transportation services with Van Pool Co. (agenda item #06-4-22).
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, as well as for Alfred Allen, a former School Committee member.
Roll Call Board Attendance:
Mayor Bissonnette - present Mr. Cutter - present
Mr. Barsalou - present Mrs. Wojcik - present
Mr. Pise - present Mrs. Styckiewicz - present
Mrs. Lopes - present Mr. Lamothe - absent
Mrs. Nawrocki - absent Mrs. Costello - present
Mr. Szetela - present Mrs. Lecca - present
The roll call indicated 10 members present – 2 absent.
Public Announcement:
Shirley Alvira, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, announced school-related news, awards, and activities of interest to the viewing public.
Open Public Input: None
Visitors: Student Advisory Council
The Student Advisory Council discussed the results of the Senior Survey with the School Committee.
Approval of Minutes:
06-4-18
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Szetela to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on April 5, 2006.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor -2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
06-4-19
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the transfer of funds (11) totaling $176,000.00.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - absent
Mrs. Nawrocki - absent Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-4-20
A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the bills totaling $334,501.86 (Warrant S040706).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - absent
Mrs. Nawrocki - absent Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-4-21
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the bills totaling $574,187.08 (Warrant S041406).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - absent
Mrs. Nawrocki - absent Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-4-22
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the Special Education Transportation Contract between the Chicopee Public School District and Van Pool Transportation Co. 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 - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - absent
Mrs. Nawrocki - absent Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Reports:
06-4-23
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Styckiewicz to receive the Report on Personnel Action Taken.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-4-24
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Barsalou to receive the minutes of the Facilities Subcommittee held on April 18, 2006.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Communication and Other Matters:
06-4-25
A motion was made by Mrs. Lecca to authorize the school department to accept a donation of $138.06 from the Community Crusade for Children’s Kiducation Fund.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - absent
Mrs. Nawrocki - absent Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-4-26
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Szetela to authorize the YMCA of Greater Springfield to use the following locations as bus stops for their Summer Camp Program: Chicopee Academy, Stefanik School and the Administration Building
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Old Business:
Job Description for Business Manager
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Costello to approve the job description for Business Manager.
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Cutter to refer the job description for Business Manager to Executive Session.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Pise to reconsider the previous motion to refer the job description for Business Manager to Executive Session.
Hand vote – 8 present in favor – 2 opposed – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
*Mr. Cutter and Mrs. Wojcik were opposed to this motion.
Five-Minute Recess
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Costello to take a five-minute recess.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
The School Committee took a brief recess.
Job Description for Business Manager (cont.)
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Pise to refer the job description for Business Manager to the Superintendent of Schools for review.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Band/Instrumental Music Program Report
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Costello to refer the report from Denise Ruszala on students participating in high school and middle school band and elementary instrumental music program to the Curriculum Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
To Avoid Disputes, Set Thorough Policy on Naming Facilities Article
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Wojcik to refer the To Avoid Disputes, Set Thorough Policy on Naming Facilities article to the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
New Business:
Procedures for All Public School Functions
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Cutter to refer the following procedures for all public school functions for graduation, presenting of certificates and other awards presented to our students, to the Superintendent of Schools:
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Executive Session:
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcik to adjourn into Executives Session at 8:05 PM for the purpose of approving Executive Session minutes, collective bargaining, discussing arbitration 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 - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - absent
Mrs. Nawrocki - absent Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Return to Regular Order of Business:
The following members were present: Mayor Bissonnette, Dana Cutter, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Debra Styckiewicz, Susan Lopes, Donald Lamothe, Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.
Absent was Sharon Nawrocki.
Also present were: Richard Rege Jr., Atty. Melissa Shea and Sarah Hoar,.
Re-Call to Order:
The meeting was re-called to order by Mayor Bissonnette, Chairperson, at 9:38 PM.
Approval of Minutes – February 1, 2006
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to approve and release the Executive Session minutes from February 1, 2006.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Approval of Minutes – March 15, 2006
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to approve and the Executive Session minutes from March 15, 2006 holding item #1 in Executive Session.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Adjournment:
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn at 9:40 PM
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Richard W. Rege, Jr.
School Committee Secretary
RWR/sh