180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
January 16, 2008
Also present were: Shane Brooks, Richard W. Rege, Jr., Deborah Drugan, Stephen Nembirkow, Debra Schneeweis, Samuel Karlin, Irene Lemieux, Janet Reid, Linda Balakier, Ginger Coleman, Claude Chapdelaine, Jeffrey Peterson, Sarah Hoar, Kenneth Parsons, Claire Thompson, Esq., Debbie Aickelin, Michael Lemme, Kaylie Dygon, Molly Barone, Nicholas Dowd, Maryanne Grey, Tia Irving, Amanda Major 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 Mayor Bissonnette, 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 - present Mr. Lamontagne - 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 - present
The roll call indicated 12 members present.
Out of Order
A motion was made by Mrs. Lecca to suspend the rules and take the Student Advisory Council out of order.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Lamontagne - 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 - yes
The roll call vote was 12 yes and the motion PASSED.
Visitors: Student Advisory Council
The Student Advisory Council addressed the Committee regarding increasing their membership and a new survey.
Election of Officers:
Mayor Bissonnette opened nominations for Vice Chairperson. Mrs. Wojcik nominated Mr. Lamothe; Mrs. Lecca seconded the nomination. Mrs. Styckiewicz nominated Mrs. Lopes; Mr. Lamontagne seconded the nomination.
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to close nominations.
Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - Mr. Lamothe Mr. Lamontagne - Mrs. Lopes
Mr. Barsalou - Mr. Lamothe Mrs. Wojcik - Mr. Lamothe
Mr. Pise - Mrs. Lopes Mrs. Styckiewicz - Mrs. Lopes
Mrs. Lopes - Mrs. Lopes Mr. Lamothe - Mr. Lamothe
Mrs. Nawrocki - Mr. Lamothe Mrs. Costello - Mr. Lamothe
Mr. Szetela - Mrs. Lopes Mrs. Lecca - Mr. Lamothe
The roll call vote was 7 votes for Mr. Lamothe and 5 votes for Mrs. Lopes and Mr. Lamothe was appointed Vice Chairperson.
Mayor Bissonnette opened nominations for Representative to City Government. Mrs. Costello nominated Mrs. Wojcik; Mrs. Lecca seconded the nomination.
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to close nominations.
Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
Mrs. Wojcik was appointed Representative to City Government.
Public Announcements: Mr. Rege announced school-related news, awards, and activities of interest to the viewing public.
Open Public Input: None
Visitors: Kenneth Parson, Energy Manager
Kenneth Parsons, Energy Manager, answered the Committee’s questions regarding the 15-month report on energy savings.
Visitors: State of the Schools – Patrick E. Bowe School, James C. Selser School, Szetela Early Childhood School
Samuel Karlin, Principal, Patrick E. Bowe School, Irene Lemieux, Principal, James C. Selser School, Janet Reid, Principal, Szetela Early Childhood School, presented a brief PowerPoint presentation that showed their schools’ demographics, MCAS Scores, AYP status, CPI History, initiatives and outcomes.
Approval of Minutes:
08-1-5
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on January 2, 2008.
Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
08-1-6
A motion was made by Mr. Barsalou to approve the transfer of funds (3) totaling $271,997.65.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Lamontagne - 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 - yes
The roll call vote was 12 yes and the motion PASSED.
08-1-7
A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcik to approve the bills totaling $1,092,428.09 (Warrants S011108 and S011808).
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Lamontagne - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - abstain
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 abstained and the motion PASSED.
*Mr. Lamothe abstained due to a conflict of interest.
08-1-8
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Styckiewicz to receive the Report on Personnel Action Taken.
Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
08-1-9
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to receive the minutes of the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee held on January 9, 2008.
Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
Communications and Other Matters:
08-1-10
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to uphold the recommendation of the Materials Selection Committee to keep the book, The Wicked Heart by Christopher Pike on library shelves, as recommended by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor- 1 opposed and the motion PASSED.
*Mrs. Nawrocki was opposed.
08-1-11
A motion was made by Mrs. Lecca to approve the purchase of reference materials for both middle schools ($200 – 400 per middle school) to aid Librarians in selecting quality materials be approved, funding from the Prior Year account, as recommended by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Lamontagne - 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 - yes
The roll call vote was 12 yes and the motion PASSED.
08-1-12
VOTED: On motion by Mrs. Lopes to approve the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 School Calendars.
Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
08-1-13
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Lamontagne to authorize the City Clerk to use the following locations for the Presidential Primary to be held on February 5, 2008: Anna E. Barry School, Edward Bellamy Middle School, Patrick E. Bowe School, Chicopee Academy, Sgt. Robert R. Litwin School and Gen. John J. Stefanik School.
Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
08-1-14
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Szetela to approve the home education plan as listed.
Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
Old Business:
Report on Transportation
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to have Terry Glusko, Transportation Manager, address the School Committee on February 6, 2008 in regards to the acquisition of Laidlaw by First Student, with a follow-up visit by a representative from First Student.
Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
New Business:
Governor Patrick’s Education Budget Proposal
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to send a letter to our state representatives and state senators in support of funding in the next state budget of the Governor’s education budget proposal.
Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
Educational Management Audit Council Final Report
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to refer the Educational Management Audit Council Final Report to a Committee as a Whole Meeting.
Hand vote – 12 present in favor and the motion PASSED.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn into Executive Session at 8:50 PM for the purpose of hearing a level IV grievance, 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 - yes Mr. Lamontagne - 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 - yes
The roll call vote was 12 yes and the motion PASSED.