180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
December 5, 2007
The following members were present: Mayor Michael Bissonnette, Dana Cutter, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Deborah Styckiewicz, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, and Chester Szetela.
Absent were Susan Lopes and Susan Lecca.
Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Deborah Drugan, Alvin W. Morton, I, Stephen Nembirkow, Stanley Kozikowski, Kenneth Widelo, Roland Joyal, Derek Morrison, Matthew Francis, Sarah Hoar, Susan Ouillette, Lucia Kazakas, Claire Thompson, Esq., 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 7:05 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 - present
Mrs. Nawrocki - present Mrs. Costello - present
Mr. Szetela - present Mrs. Lecca - absent
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.
Open Public Input: None
Visitors:
National Honor Society/National Junior Honor Society Requirements
Roland Joyal, Principal, Chicopee High School, Stanley Kozikowski, Principal, Chicopee Comprehensive High School, Matthew Francis, Principal, Edward Bellamy Middle School, Susan Ouillette and Lucia Kazakas from Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School spoke to the School Committee regarding selection criteria for the National Honor Society/National Junior Honor Society.
State of the Schools – High Schools and Career Technical Education
Roland Joyal, Principal, Chicopee High School, Stanley Kozikowski, Principal, Chicopee Comprehensive High School, Derek Morrison, Principal, Chicopee Academy, and Kenneth Widelo, Director, Career Technical Education gave a brief PowerPoint presentation regarding their MCAS scores, goals and initiatives.
Approval of Minutes:
07-12-1
Voted: On motion by Mr. Barsalou to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on November 14, 2007 as revised.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
07-12-2
Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to delete agenda item #07-12-2 (… that the transfer of funds (3) totaling $154,969.65).
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-12-3
A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to approve the bills totaling $614,963.12 (Warrant S112307).
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 - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-12-4
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the bills totaling $88,963.02 (Warrant S113007).
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 - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-12-5
A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the bills totaling $822,946.37 (Warrant S120707).
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 - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Reports:
07-12-6
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to receive the Damage to Buildings Report (July 1, 2007 – September 30, 2007).
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-12-7
Voted: On motion by Mr. Cutter to receive the minutes of the Tour of Selser School/Facilities Subcommittee held on November 13, 2007.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Communications and Other Matters:
07-12-8
Voted: On motion by Mr. Szetela to authorize Ronald Simard, Director of Maintenance, to continue planning the Selser School parking lot renovations and to bring a formal proposal with an estimated cost to the full board, as recommended by the Facilities Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-12-9
A motion was made by Mr. Barsalou to waive the Naming of Facilities Policy (File: F3) so that the possibility of naming the theater at Chicopee High School after Allan Sittard may be sent back to the Chicopee High School Council for reconsideration, as recommended by the Facilities 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 - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-12-10
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to waive the Rental and Use of School Buildings Policy (File: DFD) so that Princeton Review may use Fairview, Bellamy, Bowe, Litwin and Selser Schools from January 3 – March 20, 2008 for after-school tutoring programs.
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 - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-12-11
A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to authorize the Chicopee Public Schools to accept a donation of $7,000 ($500 per school) from Big Y Foods, Inc.
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 - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-12-12
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to authorize the Chicopee Public Schools to accept a donation of $2,000 from Wal-Mart Foundation and to send a thank you letter.
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 - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Old Business:
Charter School Cap
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello that that Chicopee School Committee is not in favor of lifting the cap on Charter Schools, until the funding formula is corrected to be equitable to host districts; when and if the formula is amended the Committee will review their position (a letter will be sent to local legislators and the MASC).
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
New Business:
Letters
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to send a thank you letter to Big Y for their donation of $7,000, a congratulations letter to the Bellamy Middle School Band for their food drive and a congratulations letter to Tyler Breton and Joe Bouthiette.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcik to adjourn into Executive Session at 9:37 PM for the purpose of collective bargaining, discussing an individual contract and potential litigation 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 - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.