180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
October 17, 2007
The following members were present: Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Deborah Styckiewicz, Susan Lopes, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.
Absent were Mayor Michael Bissonnette Dana Cutter and David Barsalou.
Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Deborah Drugan, Debra Schneeweis, Alvin W. Morton, I, Stephen Nembirkow, Sarah Hoar, Debbie Aickelin, Rebecca Bouchard, Esq., Sandra Peret, Lisa Bienvenue, Tara Roberts, Sue Ouellette, Michael Lemme, Patricia Peters, Kaylie Dygon, Maryanne Gray, Nicholas Dowd, Tia Irving, Claude Chapdelaine, Jeffrey Peterson, Joanne Lennon, Ronald Simard, Paul Mahar, Brenda Mahar and Jeanette DeForge (The Republican).
Superintendents Briefing:
The Superintendents briefing convened at 6:30 PM. Mr. Rege, Superintendent of Schools, reviewed the evenings agenda.
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 - absent
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 - present
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: Lisa Bienvenue addressed the Committee regarding the Library Media Selection Policy and Procedures and Paul Mahar spoke regarding the Transportation and Safety Policy.
Student Advisory Council: The Student Advisory Council introduced themselves and spoke regarding the Sophomore Survey and the requests of the School Committee.
Visitors: Tara Roberts and Sue Ouellette presented the Students for Tolerance and Respect in School (STARS) program to the Committee.
Approval of Minutes:
07-10-7
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on October 3, 2007.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
07-10-8
A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to approve the bills totaling $406,523.71 (Warrant S101207).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - absent
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 - yes
The roll call vote was 9 yes 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-10-9
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the bills totaling $259,883.36 (Warrant S101907).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - absent
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 - yes
The roll call vote was 9 yes 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-10-10
A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the funding for the following items/programs from the Prior Year account, as recommended by the Finance and Budget Subcommittee: Comp Utilities ($225,000), Connect Ed ($30,000), IDEAL Consulting ($22,000), Step Up Program CHS and CCHS ($88,000), Academy MCAS Remediation ($28,000), 504 Supplies and Equipment ($11,000), School Choice Restore ($250,000), Streiber Cafeteria Tables ($12,000), Elementary Music Program Instruments ($4,800), Comp Desks ($52,000), Belcher Houghton Mifflin Supplies ($10,000), Bellamy ELA Paperback Sets ($2,000), District Anti-Virus ($10,000), Internet Bandwith for Comp ($15,000), Rental Program ($6,440), Replacement of Vehicle #21 ($19,500), Additional 2nd Shift Custodian for CCHS ($33,000) and Intercom System at Bowe School ($12,000).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - absent
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 - yes
The roll call vote was 9 yes 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-10-11
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the funding for Pending Litigation ($235,000) from the Prior Year account, as recommended by the Finance and Budget Subcommittee.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - absent
Mr. Barsalou - absent Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - no Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - no Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 7 yes 2 no 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-10-12
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Lopes to table the funding for School Spring ($9,000) and GALLUP Hiring ($4,000) from the Prior Year account.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-10-13
A motion was made by Mr. Szetela
to award the bid for intercom replacement at Bellamy Middle School to Eastern
Electronics and Security, Inc., the lowest qualified bidder.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - absent
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 - yes
The roll call vote was 9 yes 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Reports:
07-10-14
Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to receive the Report on Personnel Action Taken.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Five-Minute Recess
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to have a five-minute recess.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
*Mrs. Wojcik recalled the meeting to order at 8:33 PM.
07-10-15
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to receive the minutes of the Finance and Budget Subcommittee held on September 27, 2007.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Communications and Other Matters:
07-10-16
A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to waive the Rental and Use of School Buildings Policy (File: DFD) to allow StarQuest International use of Chicopee High School on May 15, 16, 17 and 18.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - absent
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 - yes
The roll call vote was 9 yes 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-10-17
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to authorize the Telecommunications Department to videotape and telecast live on CSC - TV Cable Channel 5 the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to be held at Chicopee City Hall on Friday, November 30, 2007, at no cost to the city.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-10-18
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the home education plans as listed.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Discussion Topic: Report of the MASC Resolutions Committee
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to vote in favor of Resolution 1 Sharing of Information on Students Attending Charter Schools with the Sending School Districts.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to vote in favor of Resolution 2 Resolution Regarding the Inclusion of Special Education Transportation Costs in the Circuit Breaker.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to vote in favor of Resolution 3 Public Policy Agenda.
Hand vote 8 present in favor 1 opposed 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
*Mr. Pise was opposed to this motion.
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise that the delegate vote Resolution 4 Foundation Budget in favor of a study to determine the cost of educating a student in Massachusetts including the unfunded mandates placed upon districts.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Old Business:
Hand Sanitizer Stations
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to refer the report on Hand Sanitizers to the Safe Schools Committee.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Transportation and Safety Policy
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to refer the Transportation and Safety Policy to the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Students for Tolerance and Respect in School (STARS)
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to approve the Students for Tolerance and Respect in School (STARS) Club at Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Eight Laptops to Complete Cart at Bowie
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to discuss the request for Eight Laptops to Complete Cart at Bowie.
Hand vote 9 present in favor 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the funding for Eight Laptops to Complete Cart at Bowie ($13,000) from the Prior Year account.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - absent
Mr. Barsalou - absent Mrs. Wojcik - no
Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - no
Mrs. Nawrocki - no Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - no
The roll call vote was 5 yes 4 no 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
*Mrs. Lecca left at 9:20 PM.
New Business:
Use of School Buildings for Elections
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to authorize the City Clerk to use Bellamy Middle School, Chicopee Academy, Anna Barry School, Stefanik School and Patrick E. Bowe School for City Municipal Elections on November 6, 2007.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - absent
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 8 yes 4 absent and the motion PASSED.
Executive Session:
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn at 9:22 PM into Executive Session for the purpose of collective bargaining, discussing litigation and individual contracts, and we will not return to the regular order of business.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - absent
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 8 yes 4 absent and the motion PASSED.