Regular Meeting of the School Committee

180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020

  

January 3, 2007

 

The following members were present:  Mayor Michael Bissonnette, Dana Cutter, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Deborah Styckiewicz, Susan Lopes (7:06 PM),  Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.

 

Absent was Donald Lamothe.

 

Also present were:  Richard W. Rege, Jr., Shirley Alvira, James Devine, Stephen Nembirkow, Debra Schneeweis, Sarah Hoar, Claire Thompson, Esq., Deborah Drugan, Tammie Moore, Lynn Clark, Norman Burgess, Debbie McCarthy, 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 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                  - absent                       Mr. Lamothe               - absent

            Mrs. Nawrocki            - present                      Mrs. Costello               - present

Mr. Szetela                 - present                      Mrs. Lecca                  - present

The roll call indicated 10 members present – 2 absent.

 

Public Announcements:        

Mr. Rege announced school-related news, awards, and activities of interest to the viewing public.

 

*Mrs. Lopes arrived at 7:06 PM.

 

Open Public Input:     None

 

Visitors:          State of the Schools Presentation  (Anna E. Barry School, Herbert Bowie  Memorial School, Lambert-Lavoie Memorial School, Gen. John J. Stefanik School)

Mrs. Clark, Principal, Anna E. Barry School, Mr. Burgess, Principal, Herbert Bowie School, Mrs. Moore, Principal, Lambert-Lavoie Memorial School, and Mrs. Drugan, Principal, Gen. John. J. Stefanik School, gave a brief PowerPoint presentation highlighting their schools’ demographics, MCAS scores, AYP data and initiatives.

 

Approval of Minutes:

 

07-1-1                                                                                                    

Voted:  On motion by Mrs. Lecca to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on December 20, 2006.

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

 

Financial Matters:

 

07-1-2                                                    

A motion was made by Mr. Barsalou to approve the bills totaling $544,388.70 (Warrant S122906).

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                     - yes                        Mrs. Costello                       - yes       

Mr. Szetela                           - yes                        Mrs. Lecca                            - yes

The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.

 

07-1-3                                                    

A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to approve the bills totaling $39,990.34 (Warrant S010507).                                                 

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                     - yes                        Mrs. Costello                       - yes       

Mr. Szetela                           - yes                        Mrs. Lecca                            - yes

The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.

 

Reports:

 

07-1-4                                                    

Voted:  On motion by Mrs. Costello to receive the Damage to Buildings Report (July 1, 2006 – September 30, 2006) as revised.

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

 

07-1-5                                                    

Voted:  On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to receive the minutes of the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee held on December 13, 2006.

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

 

Communications and Other Matters:

 

07-1-6                                                    

A motion was made by Mr. Pise to remove the Physical Restraint Policy (File: GCQ) from section G of the Policy Manual and to place it in section A of the Policy Manual, as recommended by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.

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                     - yes                        Mrs. Costello                       - yes       

Mr. Szetela                           - yes                        Mrs. Lecca                            - yes

The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.

 

07-1-7                                                    

A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the first reading of Section G of the Policy Manual, as recommended by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.

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                     - yes                        Mrs. Costello                       - yes       

Mr. Szetela                           - yes                        Mrs. Lecca                            - yes

The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.

 

07-1-8                                                    

A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the School Improvement Plans for the following schools, contingent upon funding:  Anna E. Barry School, Herbert E. Bowie School, Lambert-Lavoie Memorial School, Gen. John J. 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                        - absent

                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.

 

Old Business:           

 

Drop Out Prevention/Attendance Policy Committee

Voted:  On motion by Mrs. Lecca to refer the establishment of a Drop Out Prevention/Attendance Policy Committee to include two members of the School Committee to the Curriculum Subcommittee.

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 Executive Session at 8:30 PM for the purpose of collective bargaining and we will not return to the regular order of business.

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                     - yes                        Mrs. Costello                       - yes       

Mr. Szetela                           - yes                        Mrs. Lecca                            - yes

The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.