180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
April 16, 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, Susan Lecca and Chester Szetela.
Absent was Susan Lopes.
Also present were: Richard W. Rege, Jr., Alvin Morton, Stephen Nembirkow, Debra Schneeweis, Sarah Hoar, Rebecca Bouchard, Esq., Brian Weeks and Debbie Aickelin.
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 - present
The roll call indicated 11 members present – 1 absent.
Public Announcements:
Mr. Rege announced school-related news, awards, and activities of interest to the viewing public.
Open Public Input: None
Visitors:
Brian Weeks, Drop Out/Graduation Rate Task Force – Mr. Weeks presented information and the results of work done by the Drop Out/Graduation Rate Task Force.
Approval of Minutes:
08-4-10
Voted: On motion by Mr. Szetela to approve the minority report from the Committee as a Whole Meeting of the School Committee held on April 1, 2008.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
08-4-11
Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on April 2, 2008, as corrected.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Financial Matters:
08-4-12
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the transfer of funds (5) totaling $10,000.00.
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 - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
08-4-13
A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the bills totaling $1,055,823.55 (Warrants S041108 and S041808).
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 - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
08-4-14
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the Terms of Employment for Non-Union Personnel Cycle III Salary Schedule.
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 - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
08-4-15
A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to approve the new summer school tuition rates as follows: Resident rates: $200/5 credits, $100/2.5 credits and Non-resident rates: $250/5 credits, $125/2.5 credits.
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 - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
08-4-16
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Wojcik to receive the Report on Personnel Action Taken.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
08-4-17
Voted: On motion by Mr. Barsalou to receive minutes of the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee held on April 9, 2008.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Communications and Other Matters:
08-4-18
A motion was made by Mrs. Lecca to approve the first reading of Section I (Instruction) of the Policy Manual as revised, 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 - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
08-4-19
A motion was made by Mr. Szetela to approve the first reading of the revised Rules and Regulations for Conducting Meetings policy (File: B23), as recommended by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
The roll call vote was as follows:
Mayor Bissonnette - yes Mr. Lamontagne - no
Mr. Barsalou - yes Mrs. Wojcik - yes
Mr. Pise - no Mrs. Styckiewicz - no
Mrs. Lopes - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - no Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 7 yes – 4 no – 1 absent and the motion was DEFEATED.
08-4-20
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to authorize Kenneth Widelo, Career and Technical Education Director to accept a donation of a 1988 GMC C2500 Diesel Pickup valued at $4,525 from Paul Adasiewicz.
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 - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
08-4-21
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to waive the Rental and Use of School Buildings Policy (File: DFD) to allow the Academy of Dance use of the facilities at Chicopee Comprehensive High School on June 19, 20 and 21, 2008.
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 - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Old Business:
Summer School Tuition Waiver
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to have Debbie Aickelin, Summer School Director, provide the School Committee with the number of students attending and possibility of a waiver policy for financial hardships. (How many eligible and how many attended; Do both schools have same notification procedure?)
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
Bowie School Parking Lot
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to receive an update on the Bowie School parking lot project from Ronald Simard, Director of Maintenance.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
New Business:
CAAW Meeting with Brian Weeks
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Lecca to hold a Committee as a Whole meeting in August with Mr. Weeks and to request his new information be given to the Committee 48-hours in advance of said meeting.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn into Executive Session at 9:05 PM for the purpose of hearing a level IV grievance 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 - absent Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - yes
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion PASSED.