180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
May 17, 2006
The following members were present: Mayor Bissonnette, Dana Cutter, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Deborah Styckiewicz, Susan Lopes, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello and Chester Szetela.
Absent was Susan Lecca.
Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Shirley Alvira, James Devine, Debra Schneeweis, JoAnn Kupiec, Atty. Rebecca Bouchard, Sarah Hoar, Sandra Stasiowski, Debbie McCarthy, January Wilson, Deborah Drugan, Samuel Karlin and Sherry Bienvenue.
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 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 - present Mrs. Styckiewicz - present
Mrs. Lopes - present Mr. Lamothe - present
Mrs. Nawrocki - present Mrs. Costello - present
Mr. Szetela - present Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call indicated 11 members present – 1 absent.
Public Announcement:
Mr. Rege, Superintendent of Schools, announced school-related news, awards, and activities of interest to the viewing public.
Open Public Input:
Sherry Bienvenue spoke to the School Committee regarding the achievements of Chicopee’s youth.
Visitors: None
Approval of Minutes:
06-5-8
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Szetela to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on May 3, 2006.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
06-5-9
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the transfer of funds (12) totaling $1,082,293.00.
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 - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-5-10
A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the bills totaling $183,804.13 (Warrant S051206).
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 - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-5-11
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the bills totaling $528,459.28 (Warrant S051906).
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 - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - abstain Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 1 abstained – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
*Mrs. Nawrocki abstained due to a conflict of interest.
Reports:
06-5-12
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to receive the Report of Personnel Action Taken.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Communication and Other Matters:
06-5-13
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Costello to grant the honors of graduation to the Chicopee High School, Chicopee Comprehensive High School and Chicopee Academy students listed contingent upon successful completion of the academic requirements for graduation established by School Committee policy.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.
06-5-14
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Styckiewicz to authorize the school department to accept a donation of $318.69 from the Community Crusade for Children’s Kiducation Fund.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Old Business:
Request for Funds
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Costello to send a letter to Congressman Neal, Senator Kennedy and Senator Kerry requesting the federal government to fund a math first grant for elementary students.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Requested Report
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Wojcik to request from the Superintendent of Schools a report on the number of seniors not graduating and the reasons why i.e. attendance, MCAS, lack of credit, 5th year student.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.
New Business:
Referral to Subcommittee
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Pise to refer the communication from Ken Parsons regarding drop-out prevention to the Curriculum and Instruction Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Letter of Appreciation
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Cutter to send a letter of appreciation to Conrad Forget for his continuous support of the Culinary program at Chicopee Comprehensive High School.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Co-Op Track Teams
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to authorize the School Athletic Director to petition the MIAA to merge the boys and girls track teams as co-op track teams for the next two years due to decreased numbers.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Executive Session:
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcik to adjourn into Executives Session at 8:10 PM for the purpose of approving Executive Session minutes, 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 - yes 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 - absent
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Approval of Minutes – April 26, 2006 & May 3, 2006
VOTED: On motion made by Mr. Pise to approve the minutes of the Executive Session held on April 26, 2006 releasing item #1 and holding item #2 and the minutes of Executive Session held on May 3, 2006 releasing item #1 and holding item #2.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor -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, Michael Pise, Deborah Styckiewicz, Susan Lopes, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello and Chester Szetela.
Absent was Susan Lecca.
Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Atty. Rebecca Bouchard and Sarah Hoar.
Re-Call to Order:
The meeting was re-called to order by Mayor Bissonnette, Chairperson, at 8:44 PM.
Adjournment:
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn at 8:45 PM
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Richard W. Rege, Jr.
School Committee Secretary
RWR/sh