180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
May 16, 2007
The following members were present: Dana Cutter, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Deborah Styckiewicz, Susan Lopes, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello and Chester Szetela.
Absent were Mayor Michael Bissonnette and Susan Lecca.
Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Shirley Alvira, Debra Schneeweis, Stephen Nembirkow, Sarah Hoar, 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 Mrs. Wojcik, Vice-chairperson, at 7:03 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: None
Public Hearing: Fiscal Year 2008 Budget
Mr. Nembirkow gave a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2008 budget.
Approval of Minutes:
07-5-7
Voted: On motion by Mr. Szetela to approve minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on May 2, 2007.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
07-5-8
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the transfer of funds (9) totaling $456,131.61.
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.
07-5-9
A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the bills totaling $276,593.49 (Warrant S051107).
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.
07-5-10
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the bills totaling $391,956.17 (Warrant S051807).
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.
07-5-11
A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve and forward to Mayor Bissonnette the budget for fiscal year 2008 totaling $65,533,196.
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:
07-5-12
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to receive the Report on Personnel Action Taken.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-5-13
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Styckiewicz to receive the minutes of the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee meeting held on May 9, 2007.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Communications and Other Matters:
07-5-14
A motion was made by Mr. Barsalou to approve the revised Superintendent’s Evaluation Instrument, as recommended by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - no
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 - no Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 8 yes – 2 no – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-5-15
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to approve the revised Superintendent’s Evaluation Procedure (File: C3.1), 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 - 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.
07-5-16
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to approve the home education plans, as listed.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-5-17
Voted: On motion by Mr. Szetela to grant the honors of graduation to the Chicopee Academy, Chicopee Comprehensive High School and Chicopee High School students listed, contingent upon successful completion of the academic requirements for graduation established by School Committee policy.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-5-18
Voted: On motion by Mr. Cutter to authorize the Telecommunications Department to videotape for telecasting on CSC-TV, Cable Channel 5, the Annual Chicopee Council PTO Banquet to be held on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at no cost to the school department.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
City Charge Backs – Parks and Recreation
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to have the School attorney look into the legality of a total percentage charge to city-side costs for Parks and Recreation services as opposed to an itemized cost list; furthermore, the School committee requests an itemized list of 2006 Parks and Recreation city charges to be referred to the Finance and Budget Subcommittee.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - no Mrs. Wojcik - no
Mr. Pise - no Mrs. Styckiewicz - no
Mrs. Lopes - no Mr. Lamothe - no
Mrs. Nawrocki - no Mrs. Costello - no
Mr. Szetela - no Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 1 yes – 9 no – 2 absent and the motion was DEFEATED.
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to get a list of expenses from Parks and Recreation or Business Manager to show where the 9.7% increase comes from.
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 - no Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 9 yes – 1 no – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Letter of Thanks
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to send a letter of thanks to local representatives and senators thanking them for their assistance in financial aid and to support the Governor’s budget.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Referral to Subcommittee
Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to refer the fiscal year 2007 budget to the Finance and Budget Subcommittee for review.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
New Business:
School Committee Meetings Policy Waiver
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 Thursday, May 31, 2007 and the Committee as a Whole Meeting of the School Committee scheduled for Tuesday, May 22, 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.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn into Executive Session at 9:06 PM for the purpose of collective bargaining and discussing potential litigation 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 - 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.