180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
September 5, 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., Stephen Nembirkow, Deborah Drugan, Debra Schneeweis, Kenneth Widelo, Sarah Hoar, Penny Ann Manteria, Debbie Aickelin, 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 7:00 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: None
Visitors: Ken Widelo and Penny Ann Manteria (Cosmetology Course)
Mr. Widelo and Ms. Manteria presented a proposal for a Cosmetology Course in partnership with DiGrigoli Salon.
Approval of Minutes:
07-9-1
Voted: On motion by Mr. Szetela to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on August 8, 2007.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
07-9-2
Voted: On motion by Mr. Cutter to approve the minutes of the Committee As A Whole Meeting of the School Committee held on August 27, 2007.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
07-9-3
A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the bills totaling $153,900.86 (Warrant S081707).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - absent Mr. Cutter - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - abstain
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 – 1 abstain – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
*Mrs. Styckiewicz abstained due to a conflict of interest.
Out of Order
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to go out of order and take agenda item #07-9-7 next.
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.
07-9-7
A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to appoint Alvin W. Morton, I as Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services effective September 6, 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.
07-9-8
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the employment contract between Alvin W. Morton, I, the Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services and the Chicopee School Committee as corrected and to authorize the Chairperson to sign.
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.
07-9-9
A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to award the bid for milk to Hood LP., 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 - 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: None
Communications and Other Matters:
07-9-10
A motion was made by Mr. Barsalou to approve the second reading of the Rental and Use of School Buildings Policy (File: DFD).
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.
07-9-11
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to approve the second reading of the Fiscal Accounting and Reporting Policy (File: DI).
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 Order
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to return to agenda items #07-9-4, 07-9-5 and 07-9-6.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters (cont.):
07-9-4
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the bills totaling $479,406.35 (Warrant S082407).
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.
07-9-5
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to approve the bills totaling $311,245.44 (Warrant S083107).
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.
07-9-6
A motion was made by Mr. Szetela to approve the bills totaling $61,509.79 (Warrant S090707).
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.
Communications and Other Matters (cont.):
07-9-12
A motion was made by Mr. Cutter to approve the second reading of the School Committee Meetings Policy (File: B13).
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.
07-9-13
A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the second reading of the Naming of Facilities Policy (File: F3).
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.
07-9-14
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the second reading of the Rules and Regulations for Conducting Meetings Policy (File: B23).
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.
07-9-15
A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the home education plans as listed.
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.
Old Business:
Cosmetology Program
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to refer the Cosmetology Program to the Curriculum Subcommittee and a report on the pilot program, information on student interest, credit using, budget information accompany the referral, the career path and potential earnings, and if possible have the two students attend the subcommittee meeting.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Redistricting Plan
Voted: On motion by Mr. Cutter to refer the redistricting of our school distribution of students including the old Chicopee High School as a middle school to the Facilities Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Extended Learning Time Update
Voted: On motion by Mr. Barsalou to receive a report from Mr. Karlin on the progress of the Extended Learning Time Initiative no later than December, 2007.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
New Business:
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Course
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to refer the possibility of offering a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course through the health education curriculum in grades 11 and 12.
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 8:37 PM for the purpose of discussing 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 - 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.