Regular Meeting of the School Committee

180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020

 

 February 6, 2008

 

The following members were present: Adam Lamontagne, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Deborah Styckiewicz, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.

 

Absent were Mayor Michael Bissonnette and Susan Lopes.

 

Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Alvin Morton, Stephen Nembirkow, Debra Schneeweis, Mathew Francis, Michele Partyka, Carole Rege, Noelle Colbert, John O’Neil, Alfred Picard,  Agnieszka Surdyka, Terry Glusko, Sarah Hoar, Claire Thompson, Esq., Debbie Aickelin, 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, 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. Lamontagne         - present         

            Mr. Barsalou               - present                      Mrs. Wojcik                 - present

            Mr. Pise                       - present                      Mrs. Styckiewicz         - present

            Mrs. Lopes                  - absent                       Mr. Lamothe               - present

            Mrs. Nawrocki            - present                      Mrs. Costello               - present

            Mr. Szetela                 - present                      Mrs. Lecca                  - present

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:         

 

Terry Glusko, Transportation Manager

Terry Glusko, Transportation Manager, answered the Committee’s questions regarding the transition between Laidlaw Transit and First Student.

 

State of the Schools – Edward Bellamy Middle School and Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School

Matthew Francis, Principal, Edward Bellamy Middle School, and Michele Partyka, Principal, Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School, presented a brief PowerPoint presentation that showed their schools’ demographics, MCAS Scores, AYP status, CPI History and initiatives.

  

Approval of Minutes:

 

08-2-1                                                                                        

Voted:  On motion by Mrs. Lecca to approve the minutes of the Organizational Meeting of the School Committee held on January 16, 2008.

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

  

Financial Matters:

 

08-2-2                                                                                        

A motion was made by Mr. Barsalou to approve the bills totaling $954,485.41 (Warrants S012508 and S020108).

The roll call vote was as follows:

                Mayor Bissonnette              - absent                  Mr. Lamontagne                  - yes

                Mr. Barsalou                        - yes                        Mrs. Wojcik                           - yes

                Mr. Pise                                 - yes                        Mrs. Styckiewicz                  - yes

                Mrs. Lopes                            - absent                  Mr. Lamothe                         - yes

                Mrs. Nawrocki                     - yes                        Mrs. Costello                        - yes

                Mr. Szetela                            - yes                        Mrs. Lecca                            - yes

The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

 

08-2-2a

A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to approve the bills totaling $284,399.48 (Warrant S020808).

The roll call vote was as follows:

                Mayor Bissonnette              - absent                  Mr. Lamontagne                  - yes

                Mr. Barsalou                        - yes                        Mrs. Wojcik                           - abstain

                Mr. Pise                                 - yes                        Mrs. Styckiewicz                  - yes

                Mrs. Lopes                            - absent                  Mr. Lamothe                         - yes

                Mrs. Nawrocki                     - yes                        Mrs. Costello                        - yes

                Mr. Szetela                            - yes                        Mrs. Lecca                            - yes

The roll call vote was 9 yes – 2 absent – 1 abstained and the motion PASSED.

*Mrs. Wojcik abstained due to a conflict of interest.

  

08-2-3                                                                                        

A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to award the bid for bread products to Freihofer Sales Company, Inc, the lowest qualified bidder.

The roll call vote was as follows:

                Mayor Bissonnette              - absent                  Mr. Lamontagne                  - yes

                Mr. Barsalou                        - yes                        Mrs. Wojcik                           - yes

                Mr. Pise                                 - yes                        Mrs. Styckiewicz                  - yes

                Mrs. Lopes                            - absent                  Mr. Lamothe                         - yes

                Mrs. Nawrocki                     - yes                        Mrs. Costello                        - yes

                Mr. Szetela                            - yes                        Mrs. Lecca                            - yes

The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

  

Reports:    None

 

Communications and Other Matters:          

 

08-2-4                                                                                        

Voted:  On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the home education plans, as listed.

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

 

08-2-5                                                                                        

Voted:  On motion by Mr. Pise to authorize the Telecommunications Department to videotape for telecasting on CSC-TV, Cable Channel 5, the Chicopee Colleen Coronation Ball on March 15, 2008, at no cost to the city.

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

 

08-2-6                                                                                        

Voted:  On motion by Mr. Lamontagne to authorize the Telecommunications Department to videotape for telecasting on CSC-TV, Cable Channel 5, the Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony on March 13, 2008.

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

  

Old Business:

 

Referral to Public Safety Committee

Voted:  On motion by Mr. Lamontagne to refer to the Public Safety/Police Commission the urgency for a crosswalk on Montgomery Street near the Amvets Post #12 and McKinstry Gardens.

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

 

Parent-Teacher Conference Attendance Results

Voted:  On motion by Mrs. Costello to send the Parent-Teacher Conference 2007 Results to the Library and to thank principals for the outstanding attendance.

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

 

New Business:           None

  

Executive Session

A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcik to adjourn into Executive Session at 8:55 PM for the purpose of collective bargaining and we will return to the regular order of business.

The roll call vote was as follows:

                Mayor Bissonnette              - absent                  Mr. Lamontagne                  - yes

                Mr. Barsalou                        - yes                        Mrs. Wojcik                           - yes

                Mr. Pise                                 - yes                        Mrs. Styckiewicz                  - yes

                Mrs. Lopes                            - absent                  Mr. Lamothe                         - yes

                Mrs. Nawrocki                     - yes                        Mrs. Costello                        - yes

                Mr. Szetela                            - yes                        Mrs. Lecca                            - yes

The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

  

Return to Regular Order of Business:

The following members were present: Adam Lamontagne, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Deborah Styckiewicz, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.

 

Absent were Mayor Michael Bissonnette and Susan Lopes.

 

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

  

Re-Call to Order:

The meeting was re-called to order by Mr. Lamothe, Vice Chairperson, at 10:16 PM.

  

School Nurses Contract

A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the contract between the City of Chicopee and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1459, AFL-CIO (July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2010) and to authorize the Chairperson to sign.

The roll call vote was as follows:

                Mayor Bissonnette              - absent                  Mr. Lamontagne                  - yes

                Mr. Barsalou                        - yes                        Mrs. Wojcik                           - yes

                Mr. Pise                                 - yes                        Mrs. Styckiewicz                  - yes

                Mrs. Lopes                            - absent                  Mr. Lamothe                         - yes

                Mrs. Nawrocki                     - yes                        Mrs. Costello                        - yes

                Mr. Szetela                            - yes                        Mrs. Lecca                            - yes

The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

 

School Cafeteria Workers Memorandum of Agreement

A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the memorandum of agreement between the Chicopee School Committee and the Chicopee School Cafeteria Association (September 1, 2006 – August 31, 2009) and to authorize the Chairperson to sign.

The roll call vote was as follows:

                Mayor Bissonnette              - absent                  Mr. Lamontagne                  - yes

                Mr. Barsalou                        - yes                        Mrs. Wojcik                           - yes

                Mr. Pise                                 - yes                        Mrs. Styckiewicz                  - yes

                Mrs. Lopes                            - absent                  Mr. Lamothe                         - yes

                Mrs. Nawrocki                     - yes                        Mrs. Costello                        - yes

                Mr. Szetela                            - yes                        Mrs. Lecca                            - yes

The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.

  

Adjournment

Voted:  On motion by Mrs. Lecca to adjourn at 10:21 PM.

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