180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
January 17, 2007
The following members were present: Dana Cutter, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Deborah Styckiewicz, Susan Lopes, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, and Chester Szetela.
Absent were Mayor Michael Bissonnette, David Barsalou and Susan Lecca.
Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Shirley Alvira, Stephen Nembirkow, Debra Schneeweis, Sarah Hoar, Claire Thompson, Esq., January Wilson, Samuel Karlin, Sylvia Abar, Ed. D., Jon Ferris, Irene Lemieux, Roland Joyal, Stanley Kozikowski, Kenneth Widelo, Nancy Dulchinos, Robert Archambeault, Ray Cartier, Debbie Ward, Chris Kane, Burton Burger, Debbie McCarthy, 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, specifically the School Improvement Plan Presentation.
Call To Order:
The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Wojcik, Vice-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 - absent Mr. Cutter - present
Mr. Barsalou - absent 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 9 members present – 3 absent.
Public Announcements:
Mr. Rege announced school-related news, awards, and activities of interest to the viewing public.
Open Public Input:
Burton Burger addressed the Committee regarding a Wrestling program for the high schools.
Visitors: School Improvement Plan Presentation (Chicopee High School and Chicopee Comprehensive High School)
Mr. Joyal, Principal, Chicopee High School, Mr. Kozikowski, Principal, Chicopee Comprehensive High School, and Kenneth Widelo, Director, Career and Technical Education answered the Committee’s questions regarding their School Improvement Plans and programs.
Visitors: State of the Schools Presentation (Belcher Memorial School, Patrick E. Bowe School, Robert R. Litwin School, James C. Selser School and Hugh Scott Streiber School.)
Mr. Ferris, Principal, Belcher Memorial School, Mr. Karlin, Principal, Patrick E. Bowe School, Dr. Abar, Principal, Robert R. Litwin School, Mrs. Lemieux, Principal, James C. Selser School and Ms. Wilson, Principal, Hugh Scott Streiber School. gave a brief PowerPoint presentation highlighting their schools’ demographics, MCAS scores, AYP data, accomplishments and initiatives.
Approval of Minutes:
07-1-9
Voted: On motion by Mr. Szetela to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on January 3, 2007.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
07-1-10
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the transfer of funds (6) totaling $500,000.00.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - absent 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 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-1-11
A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the bills totaling $397,627.77 (Warrant S011207).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - absent 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 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-1-12
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the bills totaling $493,504.05 (Warrant S011907).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - absent 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 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Reports:
07-1-13
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to receive the Report on Personnel Action Taken.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Communications and Other Matters:
07-1-14
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the second reading of Section G of the Policy Manual excluding the Staff, Student and Visitor Identification Policy (File: G5), which is to be referred back to the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee for further review.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - absent 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 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-1-15
A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to approve Section G of the Procedure Manual.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - absent 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 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-1-16
Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to approve the home education plan as listed.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-1-17
A motion was made by Mr. Szetela to approve the School Improvement Plans for the following schools, contingent upon funding: Belcher Memorial School, Patrick E. Bowe School, Chicopee Comprehensive High School, Chicopee High School, Robert R. Litwin School, James C. Selser School and Hugh Scott Streiber School.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - absent 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 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Old Business:
Wrestling Program
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to request the Athletic Director to look into establishing a wrestling team, pending availability of funds as a club, intramural or competitive team or whether a co-op team could be created for the three high schools and to report to the Committee no later than the second regular meeting in March.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
New Business:
Report on Student Performance
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to request a report on student performance by student ID# for current eighth grade students tracking their entrance reading level and math level for high school performance, performance in high school classes, drop out rate, MCAS performance, student transfers in or out of a Chicopee high school and Special Education status, by the first meeting in September.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Conflict of Interest
Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to request from the School Committee Attorney an opinion on conflict of interest in regards to School Committee members taking part in discussions on contracts specifically when a quorum would not otherwise be present.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn into Executive Session at 9:18 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 - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - absent 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 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.