Regular Meeting of the School Committee

180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020

March 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 Lopes and Chester Szetela.

Absent were Mayor Michael Bissonnette and Susan Lecca.

Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Shirley Alvira, James Devine, Stephen Nembirkow, Debra Schneeweis, Barbara Merchant, Jane Bergin, Jeffrey Peterson, Matthew Francis, Irene Lemieux, Kenneth Widelo, Stanley Kozikowski, Derek Morrison, Deborah Drugan, Sarah Hoar, Claire Thompson, Esq., Debbie McCarthy, Ray Cartier, Sandra Peret and Lisa Bienvenue.

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 - 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 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:

Jeffrey Peterson spoke regarding starting a wrestling team at the high schools.

Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to suspend the rules and allow the Committee to address Mr. Peterson regarding his wrestling proposal.

Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

Lisa Bienvenue addressed the Committee regarding student attendance.

Visitors:

District Improvement Plan Presentation

Mr. Rege gave a PowerPoint presentation explaining the 2007-2010 District Improvement Plan.

Approval of Minutes:

07-3-1

Voted: On motion by Mr. Barsalou to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on February 28, 2007.

Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

Financial Matters:

07-3-2

A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to approve the transfer of funds (8) totaling $66,188.00.

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 - yes 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.

07-3-3

A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the bills totaling $443,862.16 (Warrant S030907).

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 - yes 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.

07-3-4

A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the Chicopee School Committee and the UFCW Local 1459 (School Nurses), effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007.

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 - yes 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:

07-3-5

Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to receive the minutes of the Facilities Subcommittee held on February 13, 2007.

Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

07-3-6

Voted: On motion by Mrs. Lopes to receive the minutes of the Finance and Budget Subcommittee held on February 27, 2007.

Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

Communications and Other Matters:

07-3-7

Voted: On motion by Mr. Cutter to refer the Naming of Facilities Policy (File: F3) to the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee for review, as recommended by the Facilities Subcommittee.

Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

07-3-8

A motion was made by Mr. Szetela to approve the 2007-2010 District Improvement Plan contingent upon funding.

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 - yes 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.

07-3-9

A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to waive the School Committee Meetings policy (File: B13) so that the Salary Task Force meeting scheduled for April 12, 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 - 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 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

07-3-10

Voted: On motion by Mr. Barsalou to approve the School Committee Meeting Summer Schedule.

Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

Old Business:

Thank You Letter

Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to send a thank you letter to Mr. Burger for his work on establishing a wrestling proposal and to refer the wrestling proposal to the Finance and Budget Subcommittee.

Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

Physical Education Credit for Athletes/Cheerleaders

Voted: On motion by Mr. Cutter to refer the possibility of Athletes/Cheerleaders earning physical education credits for their participation in interscholastic athletics to administration for review and recommendations and further for those recommendations to be referred to the Curriculum Subcommittee.

Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

New Business:

Referral to Subcommittee

Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to refer the Statement of Philosophy and District Goals to the Policy and Human Resources 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 at 8:17 PM into Executive Session for the purpose of approving Executive Session minutes and collective bargaining and we will return to the regular order of business, not televised.

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 - yes 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.

Return to Regular Order of Business:

The following members were present: Dana Cutter, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Susan Lopes, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello and Chester Szetela.

Absent were Mayor Michael Bissonnette, Deborah Styckiewicz, Donald Lamothe and Susan Lecca.

Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Stephen Nembirkow, Atty. Gordon Quinn and Sarah Hoar.

Re-Call to Order:

The meeting was re-called to order by Mrs. Wojcik, Vice-chairperson, at 9:22 PM.

Approval of Minutes:

Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the minutes of the Executive Session held on October 18, 2006, holding item 4 in Executive Session.

Hand vote – 8 present in favor – 4 absent and the motion PASSED.

Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve and release the minutes of the Executive Session held on November 1, 2006.

Hand vote – 8 present in favor – 4 absent and the motion PASSED.

Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the minutes of the Executive Session held on November 21, 2006, holding items #1, 2 and 3 in Executive Session.

Hand vote – 8 present in favor – 4 absent and the motion PASSED.

Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the minutes of the Executive Session held on December 6, 2006 as amended, holding items #3 and 4 in Executive Session.

Hand vote – 8 present in favor – 4 absent and the motion PASSED.

Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the minutes of the Executive Session held on January 3, 2007, holding item #2 in Executive Session.

Hand vote – 8 present in favor – 4 absent and the motion PASSED.

Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the minutes of the Executive Session held on January 17, 2007, holding item #2 in Executive Session.

Hand vote – 8 present in favor – 4 absent and the motion PASSED.

Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the minutes of the Executive Session held on February 7, 2007, holding items #1 and 3 in Executive Session.

Hand vote – 8 present in favor – 4 absent and the motion PASSED.

Adjournment:

Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to adjourn at 9:30 PM.

Hand vote – 8 present in favor – 4 absent and the motion PASSED.