180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
March 21, 2007
The following members were present: Dana Cutter, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Deborah Styckiewicz, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lopes and Chester Szetela.
Absent were Mayor Michael Bissonnette, Michael Pise and Susan Lecca.
Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Shirley Alvira, James Devine, Stephen Nembirkow, Janet Reid, Roland Joyal, Sarah Hoar, Rebecca Bouchard, Esq., Sabrina Ferrari, David Munson, Abby Dolgas, Melinda Fortuna, Michelle Hervieux, Debbie McCarthy, Sandra Peret, Lisa Bienvenue 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 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 - absent 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:
Lisa Bienvenue addressed the Committee regarding high school graduation requirements.
Visitors:
District Improvement Plan Presentation
Mrs. Reid gave a brief PowerPoint presentation showing Szetela Early Childhood School’s demographics, enrollment, special education evaluation process, kindergarten readiness statistics as well as the benefits of a quality early education program.
Approval of Minutes:
07-3-11
Voted: On motion by Mr. Szetela to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on March 7, 2007.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
07-3-12
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the bills totaling $670,276.21 (Warrant S031607).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - absent 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.
07-3-13
A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the bills totaling $503,929.71 (Warrant S032307).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - absent 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:
07-3-14
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to receive the Report on Personal Action Taken.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-3-15
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to receive the minutes of the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee held on March 14, 2007.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Communications and Other Matters:
07-3-16
A motion was made by Mr. Barsalou to approve the first reading of the Rental and Use of School Buildings Policy (File: DFD), 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 - absent 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.
07-3-17
Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to approve the revised Rules of Order for Conducting Meetings, as recommended by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-3-18
A motion was made by Mr. Szetela to approve the first reading of School District Goals (File: A3), 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 - absent 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.
07-3-19
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the first reading of Section H of the Policy Manual, 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 - absent 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.
07-3-20
A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the first reading the Superintendent’s Evaluation policy (File: C3), 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 - absent 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.
Communications and Other Matters (cont.):
07-3-21
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve revised School Delays/Cancellations Procedures (File: E6.1) be approved, as recommended by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-3-22
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the home education plan be approved, as listed
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-3-23
A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to waive the School Committee Meetings policy (File: B13) so that the Salary Task Force meeting scheduled for April 5, 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 - absent 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.
07-3-24
A motion was made by Mr. Barsalou to approve the School Improvement Plan for Szetela Early Childhood School, contingent upon funding.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - absent 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.
Rental and Use of School Buildings Policy (File: DFD)
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to refer the Rental and Use of School Buildings Policy (File: DFD) back to the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Funding for Wrestling Equipment
A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki that any funds needed for the purchase of equipment for the wrestling team be allotted out of the Athletic Revolving Account from both high schools.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - absent 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.
Rules of Order for Conducting Meetings
Voted: On motion by Mr. Cutter to refer the Rules of Order for Conducting Meetings, specifically rule #1, back to the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee to discuss the possible elimination of the Superintendent’s Briefings.
Hand vote – 7 present in favor – 2 opposed – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
*Mrs. Wojcik and Mrs. Nawrocki were opposed.
New Business:
Preschool Diversity Recruitment
Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to refer preschool diversity recruitment to the Finance and Budget Subcommittee for cost analysis.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Executive Session:
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn at 8:08 PM into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing individual contracts 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 - absent 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.