180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
February 7, 2007
The following members were present: Dana Cutter, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Deborah Styckiewicz, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.
Absent were Mayor Michael Bissonnette and Susan Lopes.
Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Shirley Alvira, James Devine, Stephen Nembirkow, Debra Schneeweis, Sarah Hoar, Rebecca Bouchard, Esq., Derek Morrison, Martha Skiba, Susan Hauschild, Nancy Lingenfelter, Darrell Johnson, Debbie McCarthy, Michele Partyka, Debra Guyer, the Chicopee Comprehensive High School Football Team and Kathy Mitchell (Chicopee Register).
Superintendent’s Briefing:
The Superintendent’s briefing convened at 6:30 PM. Mr. Rege, Superintendent of Schools, reviewed the evening’s agenda, specifically the Superintendent’s Evaluation Procedure and Instrument, as well as the K-8 Health Curriculum.
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 - 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 - 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.
Open Public Input: None
Visitors:
Chicopee Comprehensive High School Football Team
The School Committee and Superintendent congratulated the Chicopee Comprehensive High School Football Team on their Superbowl victory and presented each member with a Certificate of Achievement.
Student Advisory Council
The Student Advisory Council presented their Sophomore Survey to the Committee and answered any questions the School Committee had.
State of the Schools Presentation: Chicopee Academy
Mr. Morrison, Principal, Chicopee Academy, gave a brief PowerPoint presentation highlighting his school’s demographics, enrollment, MCAS scores, accomplishments and initiatives.
State of the Schools Presentation: Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School
Mrs. Partyka, Principal, Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School, gave a brief PowerPoint presentation highlighting her school’s demographics, MCAS scores, AYP data, accomplishments and initiatives.
Approval of Minutes:
07-2-1
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on January 17, 2007.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-2-2
Voted: On motion by Mr. Barsalou to approve the minutes of the Committee as a Whole Meeting of the School Committee held on January 31, 2007.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
07-2-3
A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to approve the transfer of funds (7) totaling $334,500.00.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent 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 - yes
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-2-4
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the bills totaling $1,046,549.88 (Warrant S012607).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent 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 - yes
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-2-5
A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the bills totaling $205,355.93 (Warrant S020207).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - abstain
Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - absent Mr. Lamothe - abstain
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 8 yes – 2 abstain – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
*Mrs. Wojcik and Mr. Lamothe abstained due to a conflict of interest.
07-2-6
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the bills totaling $542,014.49 (Warrant S020907).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent 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 - yes
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-2-7
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to award Bid 06/52 for School Administration Building Repairs to Contracting Specialists Inc., the lowest qualified bidder.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent 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 - yes
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Reports:
07-2-8
Voted: On motion by Mr. Szetela to receive the Continuing Education Fall Semester Report.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-2-9
Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to receive the minutes of the Curriculum Subcommittee held on January 9, 2007.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-2-10
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to receive the minutes of the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee held on January 24, 2007.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Communications and Other Matters:
07-2-11
Voted: On motion by Mr. Barsalou to set a meeting between Carl Sittard, Richard W. Rege, Jr., Denise Ruszala, a member of the School Committee, the Westfield High School Band Director/parents and the Belchertown High School Band Director/parents to discuss strategies regarding the Band Program and further to create a Band Task Force to share what they have learned, as recommended by the Curriculum Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-2-12
A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the first reading of the Student, Staff and Visitor Identification Policy (File: G5), as recommended by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent 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 - yes
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-2-13
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to approve the revised Superintendent’s Evaluation Procedure, as recommended by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee, and to refer the Superintendent’s Evaluation Instrument to the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee for review.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-2-14
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to waive the School Committee Meetings policy (File: B13) so that the Salary Task Force meeting scheduled for February 15, 2007 may begin at 6:30 PM.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - no Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 9 yes – 1 no – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-2-15
Voted: On motion by Mr. Szetela to authorize the Telecommunications Department to videotape for telecasting on CSC-TV Cable Channel 5 the Chicopee Colleen Coronation Ball to be held on March 3, 2007, at no cost to the city.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-2-16
Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to authorize the Telecommunications Department to videotape for telecasting on CSC-TV Cable Channel 5 the Bellamy Middle School National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony to be held on March 15, 2007.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-2-17
A motion was made by Mrs. Lecca to approve the School Improvement Plans for the following schools, pending funding: Chicopee Academy and Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent 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 - yes
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Old Business:
Exercise/Fitness Homework
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello that Mr. Devine, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Accountability, investigate and explore the possibility of having physical exercise as part of the homework curriculum and to refer his research to the Curriculum Subcommittee.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - no Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 9 yes – 1 no – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
New Business:
Health Curriculum (K-8)
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to refer the Health Curriculum for grades K-8 to the Curriculum Subcommittee for review.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn into Executive Session at 9:33 PM for the purpose of discussing potential litigation and 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 - 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 - yes
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.