Regular Meeting of the School Committee

180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020

June 7, 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., James Devine, Debra Schneeweis, JoAnn Kupiec, Atty. Claire Thompson, Sarah Hoar, Joanne Lennon, Karen Turmel, Sandra Stasiowski, Debbie McCarthy, Jonathan Tetherly, Daniel O’Connor, Chris Reitz, Bonnie Reitz, Obelinda Tejeda, Nick Passidale, Victoria Stewart, Jennifer Bishop, Kelly Braudis, Carolyn Gould, Amanda Walton, Deborah Walton-Blanchard, Joanna Pagan, Shaun Prince, Betty Sheftall, Renee Lessard, Joseph O’Malley, Angela Mecteau, Janet Reid, Karl Pedro, Anixa Rivera, Jennifer Ainham, William Rodriguez, Allison Roberts, Marion Roberts, Gary Roberts, Brian Rachmaciej and Diane Hennessey.

Superintendent’s Briefing:

The Superintendent’s briefing convened at 6:30 PM. Mr. Rege, Superintendent of Schools, reviewed the evening’s agenda. The committee focused the discussion on the contract amendments (agenda items #06-6-7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12 and 13).

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:

Jonathan Tetherly spoke to the School Committee regarding the sports user fees.

Visitors:

The Lambert-Lavoie Chorus performed.

Approval of Minutes:

06-6-1

Voted: On motion by Mr. Barsalou to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on May 17, 2006.

Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.

06-6-2

Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to approve the minutes of the Public Hearing held on May 31, 2006.

Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.

Financial Matters:

06-6-3

A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to approve the transfer of funds (13) totaling $350,441.85.

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.

06-6-4

A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the bills totaling $527,198.60 (Warrant S052606).

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.

06-6-5

A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the bills totaling $296,023.07 (Warrant S060206).

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.

06-6-6

A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the bills totaling $220,360.36 (Warrant S060906).

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.

06-6-7

A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the contract amendments between the Chicopee School Committee and the following employees and to authorize the Chairperson to sign: Charles Tetrault, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, Shirley Alvira, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, James Devine, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Accountability, and Debra Schneeweis, Director of Special Education.

The roll call vote was as follows:

Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Cutter - no

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 - no Mrs. Lecca - absent

The roll call vote was 9 yes – 2 no – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.

06-6-8

A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the contract amendments between Richard W. Rege, Jr., Superintendent of Schools and the following employees and to authorize the Chairperson to sign: Ronald Simard, Director of Maintenance, Denise Ruszala, Assistant for Curriculum, Rose Blais, Telecommunications Technology Assistant, Karen Turmel, Supervisor of Nurses, Scott Chapdelaine, Assistant Director of Maintenance/ Craftsman, Cynthia Rodolakis, Supervisor of Attendance, JoAnn Kupiec, Assistant Business Manager, Sarah Hoar, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools, Lynn Clark, Principal, Barry School, Jon Ferris, Principal, Belcher School, Samuel Karlin, Principal, Bowe School, Norman Burgess, Principal, Bowie School, Derek Morrison, Principal, Chicopee Academy, Stanley Kozikowski, Principal, Chicopee Comprehensive High School, Roland Joyal, Principal, Chicopee High School, Sylvia Abar Ed. D., Principal, Litwin School, Irene Lemieux, Principal, Selser School, Deborah Drugan, Principal, Stefanik School, Janet Reid, District Wide Early Childhood Principal and Kenneth Widelo, Director of Career and Technical Education

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 - no Mrs. Lecca - absent

The roll call vote was 10 yes – 1 no – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.

06-6-9

A motion was made by Mr. Szetela to approve the contract amendment between Richard W. Rege, Jr., Superintendent of Schools and Joanne Lennon, Director of School Cafeterias and to authorize the Chairperson to sign.

The roll call vote was as follows:

Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Cutter - no

Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes

Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes

Mrs. Lopes - no Mr. Lamothe - no

Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes

Mr. Szetela - no Mrs. Lecca - absent

The roll call vote was 7 yes – 4 no – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.

06-6-10

A motion was made by Mr. Barsalou to approve the employment contract between Richard W. Rege, Jr., Superintendent of Schools and Sheila Hoffman, Striving Readers’ Program Specialist 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 - 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.

06-6-11

A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to approve the employment contract between Richard W. Rege, Jr., Superintendent of Schools and Kenneth Parsons, Jr., Energy Manager 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 - 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.

06-6-12

A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to approve the employment contract between Richard W. Rege, Jr., Superintendent of Schools and Michele Partyka, Principal, Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School 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 - 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.

06-6-13

A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the employment contract between Richard W. Rege, Jr., Superintendent of Schools and Matthew Francis, Principal, Edward Bellamy Middle School 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 - 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.

06-6-14

A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the lease agreements between the Chicopee School Committee and the Metropolitan Springfield YMCA for the use of the following schools and the Chairperson be authorized to sign: Belcher School and Stefanik School.

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.

06-6-15

A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the lease agreement between the Chicopee School Committee and The Arbors Kids, L.L.C. for the use of Bowie School 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 - 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.

06-6-16

A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the lease agreement between the Chicopee Public Schools and Ricoh c/o Bank of America 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 - 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.

06-6-17

A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the maintenance agreement between the Chicopee Public Schools and Connecticut Business Systems, LLC. 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 - 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.

06-6-18

A motion was made by Mr. Szetela to award the bid for fitness related equipment to Gymsource Northeast Ltd., the lowest qualified bidder.

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.

Reports:

06-6-19

Voted: On motion by Mr. Barsalou to receive the minutes of the Facilities Subcommittee held on May 24, 2006.

Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.

Communications and Other Matters:

06-6-20

Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to refer the following policies to the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee: Energy Management Conservation Policy, District Wellness Policy, and School-Based Public Access Defibrillation Program Policy.

Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.

06-6-21

A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to approve the Discipline Code (2006-2007 Revision).

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.

06-6-22

Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to authorize Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School to accept a donation of $1,000.00 from Wal-Mart and to send a letter of thanks.

Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.

Old Business:

Preschool at Chicopee High School

VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Costello to create a preschool classroom at Chicopee High School.

Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.

New Business: None

Executive Session:

A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcik to adjourn into Executives Session at 8:20 PM for the purpose of approving Executive Session minutes, hearing a grievance, collective bargaining and 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 - 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.

Return to Regular Order of Business:

Absent was Susan Lecca.

Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr. and Sarah Hoar.

Re-Call to Order:

The meeting was re-called to order by Mayor Bissonnette, Chairperson, at 10:15 PM.

Approval of Minutes – May 17, 2006

VOTED: On motion by Mr. Pise to approve the minutes of the Executive Session held on May 17, 2006 releasing item #1 and holding item #2.

Hand vote – 11 present in favor -1 absent and the motion PASSED.

Adjournment:

VOTED: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn at 10:20 PM

Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.