180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
March 19, 2008
The following members were present: Mayor Michael Bissonnette, Adam Lamontagne, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Debra Styckiewicz, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, and Chester Szetela.
Absent were Susan Lopes and Susan Lecca.
Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Alvin Morton, Deborah Drugan, Stephen Nembirkow, Sarah Hoar, Claire Thompson, Esq., Debbie Aickelin, Brian Corridan, Denise Nowak, Jennifer Welsh, Meghan E. Balakier, Brittany L. Muldoon, Kathleen M. Rodowicz, Kristen A. Stewart, Michael Lemme, Kaylie Dygon, 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 - absent 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:
Chicopee Colleen Court – Denise Nowak introduced the 2008 Chicopee Colleen, Jennifer Welsh, and her court, Meghan E. Balakier, Brittany L. Muldoon, Kathleen M. Rodowicz and Kristen A. Stewart.
Student Advisory Council – The Student Advisory Council presented a survey on student attendance and answered questions from the School Committee.
Approval of Minutes:
08-3-5
Voted: On motion by Mr. Szetela to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on March 5, 2008.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
08-3-6
A motion was made by Mr. Lamontagne to approve the bills totaling $982,551.91 (Warrants S031408 and S032108).
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 - absent 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.
08-3-7
Voted: On motion by Mr. Pise to receive the Report on Personnel Action Taken.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
08-3-8
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to receive the minutes of the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee held on March 12, 2008.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Communications and Other Matters:
08-3-9
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the following procedures, as recommended by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee: Enrollment of Homeless Students and School Records Procedures, School Selection and Transportation Procedures for Homeless Students, Title I and Homeless Students Procedures, Unaccompanied Youth Procedures, Children and Youth in State Care or Custody Procedures, McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Dispute Resolution Procedures, Chicopee Public Schools Notification of Enrollment Decision and Chicopee Public Schools Appeal of Enrollment Decision.
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 - absent 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.
08-3-10
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Styckiewicz to refer the Student Activity Funds Management Procedures to the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee, as recommended by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
08-3-11
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Wojcik to refer the School Committee Expense Account to the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee for possible policy/procedure development, as recommended by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Old Business:
Freshmen Academies
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to have the Superintendent of Schools study the social adjustment/integration of Freshmen students at Chicopee High School and Chicopee Comprehensive High School.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
New Business:
Litwin School Facility Issues
Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to refer the Litwin School issues centered on parking, security, windows and gymnasium floor to the Facilities Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
New Massachusetts School Building Authority Regulations
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Wojcik to have the Superintendent draft a letter to the chairman of the Ordinance Committee, Alderman Tillotson, regarding the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s new law regarding school building commissions and to compare against our standing ordinance.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Letter of Congratulations
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to send a letter of congratulations to the Chicopee Academy Basketball team for their recent Western Mass Alternative League championship.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn into Executive Session at 8:07 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 - yes 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 - absent
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.
Return to Regular Order of Business:
The following members were present: Mayor Michael Bissonnette, Adam Lamontagne, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Deborah Styckiewicz, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello and Chester Szetela.
Absent were Susan Lopes and Susan Lecca.
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 Mayor Bissonnette, Chairperson, at 8:35 PM.
Unit A Collective Bargaining Agreement
A motion was made be Mrs. Costello to approve the collective bargaining agreement (July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2010) between the Chicopee Education Association Unit A and the Chicopee School Committee, and to authorize the Chairperson to sign.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Lamontagne - yes
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - yes Mrs. Styckiewicz - abstain
Mrs. Lopes - absent Mr. Lamothe - abstain
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 8 yes – 2 abstained – 2 absent and the motion passed.
Adjournment
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to adjourn at 8:40 PM.
Hand vote – 10 present in favor – 2 absent and the motion PASSED.