180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
April 25, 2007
The following members were present: Dana Cutter, David Barsalou, Michael Pise (7:04 PM), Deborah Styckiewicz, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello (7:03 PM), Susan Lopes and Chester Szetela.
Absent were Mayor Michael Bissonnette, Marjorie Wojcik and Susan Lecca.
Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., James Devine, Shirley Alvira, Debra Schneeweis, Stephen Nembirkow, Denise Ruszala, Sarah Hoar, Rebecca Bouchard, Esq., Debbie McCarthy, Carl Sittard, Sandra Prairie, Jacqueline Prairie, Adam Lamontagne, Edson Souza, Nina Chabot, 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 Mr. Lamothe, Representative to City Government, 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 - absent
Mr. Pise - absent Mrs. Styckiewicz - present
Mrs. Lopes - present Mr. Lamothe - present
Mrs. Nawrocki - present Mrs. Costello - absent
Mr. Szetela - present Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call indicated 7 members present – 5 absent.
Public Announcements:
Mr. Rege announced school-related news, awards, and activities of interest to the viewing public.
*Mrs. Costello arrived at 7:03 PM and Mr. Pise arrived at 7:04 PM.
Open Public Input:
Edson Souza addressed the Committee regarding fundraising ideas and help. Sandra Peret and Lisa Bienvenue discussed high school graduation requirements. Nina Chabot spoke regarding keeping music in the schools.
Visitors:
Music Program: Carl Sittard and Denise Ruszala
Mr. Sittard and Mrs. Ruszala gave a PowerPoint presentation showing the research and findings of the Band Task Force as well as the benefits of instrumental music education.
Transportation Safety and Signage: James Devine
Mr. Devine gave a PowerPoint presentation showing the School Transportation Safety Committee’s bus route/signage recommendations.
Approval of Minutes:
07-4-10
Voted: On motion by Mr. Szetela to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on April 4, 2007.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
07-4-11
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the bills totaling $274,447.57 (Warrant S041307).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - absent
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 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-4-12
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the bills totaling $702,885.85 (Warrant S042007).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - absent
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 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-4-13
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Lopes to waive the Rentals and Use of School buildings Policy (File: DFD) to allow The Academy of Dance the use of facilities at Chicopee High School on June 21, 22 and 23, 2007.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-4-14
A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to award the bid for computer supplies totaling $53,798.05 to the lowest qualified bidders as listed.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - absent
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 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Reports:
07-4-15
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to receive the Report on Personnel Action.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
School Transportation Safety Committee
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to forward School Transportation Safety Committee’s recommendation to the Public Safety Committee at the Board of Alderman and that the Transportation and Safety Committee resume meeting in September of 2007.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Graduation Requirements
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to refer the high school graduation requirements to the Curriculum Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Agenda Item #07-4-4
Voted: On motion by Mr. Szetela to reconsider agenda item #07-4-4 (…to waive the Rentals and Use of School buildings Policy (File: DFD) to allow The Academy of Dance the use of facilities at Chicopee High School on June 21, 22 and 23, 2007…).
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
A motion was made by Mr. Szetela to waive the Rentals and Use of School buildings Policy (File: DFD) to allow The Academy of Dance the use of facilities at Chicopee High School on June 21, 22 and 23, 2007.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - absent
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 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Education Subcommittee of the Board of Aldermen
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to request a meeting with the Education Subcommittee of the Board of Aldermen to discuss the budget.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Salary Task Force Meeting
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 May 3, 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 - absent
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 9 yes – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
New Business:
Referral to Subcommittee
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to refer the Instrumental Music Program for elementary and secondary schools to the Finance and Budget Subcommittee for the current budget.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Proclamation for National Teacher Appreciation Day
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to issue the following proclamation for National Teacher Appreciation Day: the Chicopee Public Schools are committed to providing our students the best possible education in a safe and nurturing environment from pre-school through high school. The school system fosters lifelong learning and wants all stakeholders in the schools to have fulfilling, successful lives. Whereas, teachers are an integral part of the school system; and whereas, teachers work to open student’s minds to ideas, knowledge, discovery and dreams; and whereas, teachers promote the American democracy by laying the foundation for good citizenship; and whereas, teachers strive to prepare students to face the challenges life will present them, and whereas, teachers serve as role models, motivators and mentors; and whereas, teachers continue to influence us long after we graduate from school; and whereas, Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded the 81st congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day in the United States and Tuesday of the first week of May is traditionally National Teacher Day; now, therefore, the Chicopee School Committee, does hereby proclaim Tuesday, May 8, 2007, as National Teacher Day in the Chicopee Public Schools and the Committee urges that we observe this day by taking time to recognize and acknowledge the importance of teachers in our lives.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.
Adjournment
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to adjourn at 8:40 PM.
Hand vote – 9 present in favor – 3 absent and the motion PASSED.