Regular Meeting of the School Committee

180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020

 

March 4, 2009

 

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

 

Absent were Michael Pise and Susan Lecca.

 

Also present were Richard W. Rege, Jr., Deborah Drugan, Alvin Morton, Debra Schneeweis. Stephen Nembirkow, Kenneth Widelo, Kara Blanchard, Claire Thompson, Esq. and Deborah Wandas Socha.

 

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.

 

Public Announcements:  

Mr. Rege announced school-related news, awards, and activities of interest to the viewing public.

 

Roll Call Board Attendance:

            Mayor Bissonnette      - present                      Mr. Lamontagne         - present         

            Mr. Barsalou               - present                      Mrs. Wojcik                 - present

            Mr. Pise                       - absent                       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.

 

Open Public Input:     None

 

Visitors:

 

Introduction of Community Student Workforce Developer for Career and Technical Education

Kara Blanchard, Community Student Workforce Developer, discussed the student internship program which offers students the opportunity to explore and

experience different career interests.

  

Approval of Minutes:

 

09-3-01                                  

Voted:  On motion by Mr. Szetela to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on February 18, 2009. 

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

 

Financial Matters:

 

09-3-02                        

A motion was made by Mr. Lamontagne to approve transfer of funds (8) totaling $1,700.00.

The roll call vote was as follows:

                Mayor Bissonnette              - yes                        Mr. Lamontagne                  - yes

                Mr. Barsalou                        - yes                        Mrs. Wojcik                           - yes

                Mr. Pise                                 - absent                  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.

 

09-3-03                        

A motion was made by Mr. Barsalou to approve the bills totaling $756,467.04 (Warrants S022009 and S022709).

The roll call vote was as follows:

                Mayor Bissonnette              - yes                        Mr. Lamontagne                  - yes

                Mr. Barsalou                        - yes                        Mrs. Wojcik                           - yes

                Mr. Pise                                 - absent                  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.

 

09-3-04                        

A motion was made by Mrs. Wojcik to award the bid no. 09/03 for bread products to Freihofer Sales Company, Inc., the lowest qualified bidder.

The roll call vote was as follows:

                Mayor Bissonnette              - yes                        Mr. Lamontagne                  - yes

                Mr. Barsalou                        - yes                        Mrs. Wojcik                           - yes

                Mr. Pise                                 - absent                  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:

 

09-3-05                        

A motion was made by Mrs. Stykiewicz to waive the first reading of the High School Attendance Policy (File: JHA) as amended.

The roll call vote was as follows:

                Mayor Bissonnette              - yes                        Mr. Lamontagne                  - yes

                Mr. Barsalou                        - yes                        Mrs. Wojcik                           - yes

                Mr. Pise                                 - absent                  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.

 

09-3-06                        

A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the second reading of the High School Attendance Policy (File: JHA) as amended.     

The roll call vote was as follows:

                Mayor Bissonnette              - yes                        Mr. Lamontagne                  - yes

                Mr. Barsalou                        - yes                        Mrs. Wojcik                           - yes

                Mr. Pise                                 - absent                  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:           

 

CCHS NEASC Report

Voted:  On motion by Mrs. Costello to invite the Accreditation Committee to the April 1, 2009  School Committee to discuss the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Report of the Visiting Committee for Chicopee Comprehensive conducted on October 5-8, 2008.

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

 

Grinspoon Awards

Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello for a letter of thank you to be sent on behalf of the School Committee to the teachers who received the Grinspoon Award.

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

 

New Business:

 

CCHS Graduation

Voted:  On motion by Mr. Lamothe for the graduating classes of CCHS beginning with the Class of 2009 be held on the football field at the new CCHS Kuzdial Field, weather permitting and to be held every year.

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

 

St. Patrick’s School

Voted: On motion by Mrs. Styckiewicz for the Chairman of the School Committee be authorized to open discussions on St. Patrick’s School with the possibility of becoming Belcher School and to refer to the Facilities Sub Committee for discussion.

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

 

Executive Session

A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn at 7:40 PM into Executive Session for the

purpose of discussing collective bargaining and we will return to the regular order of business,

not televised.

The roll call vote was as follows:                                                                                        

                Mayor Bissonnette              - yes                        Mr. Lamontagne                  - yes

                Mr. Barsalou                        - yes                        Mrs. Wojcik                           - yes

                Mr. Pise                                 - absent                  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 Regular Order of Business:

 

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

 

Absent were Michael Pise and Susan Lecca.

 

Also present were Richard W. Rege, Jr. and Deborah Wandas Socha.

 

Re-Call to Order:

The meeting was re-called to order by Mayor Bissonnette, Chairperson, at 7:50 PM.

 

Collective Bargaining (Unit D-MOA Perfect Attendance)

A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to accept the Memorandum of Agreement 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                                 - absent                  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.

 

Adjournment:

Voted: On motion by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn at 7:52 PM.

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