180 Broadway, Chicopee, MA 01020
October 21, 2009
The following members were present: Mayor Michael Bissonnette, Adam Lamontagne, David Barsalou, Marjorie Wojcik, Michael Pise, Deborah Styckiewicz, Susan Lopes, Donald Lamothe, Sharon Nawrocki, Mary Beth Costello, and Chester Szetela.
Absent was Susan Lecca.
Also present were Richard W. Rege, Jr., Deborah Drugan, Stephen Nembirkow, Debra Schneeweis, Sarah Hoar, Terry Glusko, John Leonard, Rebecca Bouchard, Esq., Kate Sordillo, Michelle Sergneri, and Kelly Malke.
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 7:05 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 - absent
The roll call indicated 11 members present – 1 absent.
Public Announcements:
Mayor Bissonnette and Mr. Rege announced school-related news, awards, and activities of interest to the viewing public.
Open Public Input:
Kate Sordillo, Michelle Sergneri, Kelly Malke, expressed their concerns regarding the current transportation and safety policy.
State of the District Presentation:
Mrs. Drugan, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Accountability, gave a PowerPoint presentation showing the district’s successes and challenges in regards to MCAS, citing both district-level and school-level accountability status, adequate yearly progress (AYP), and composite proficiency index (CPI).
Approval of Minutes:
09-10-17
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the School Committee held on October 7, 2009.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion passed.
Financial Matters:
09-10-18
A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the transfer of funds (4) totaling $9,560.00.
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 - yes Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion passed.
09-10-19
A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the bills totaling $636,784.74 (Warrants (S100909 and S101609).
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 - absent
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion passed.
09-10-20
A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to approve the memorandum of agreement between the Chicopee Education Association (Unit D) 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 - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - no Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 10 yes – 1 no – 1 absent and the motion passed.
09-10-21
A motion was made by Mr. Pise to approve the School Physician Contract between Dr. Sara Mullan and the Chicopee Public Schools 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 - yes
Mrs. Lopes - yes Mr. Lamothe - yes
Mrs. Nawrocki - yes Mrs. Costello - yes
Mr. Szetela - yes Mrs. Lecca - absent
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion passed.
Reports:
09-10-22
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.
09-10-23
Voted: On motion by Mr. Barsalou to receive the minutes of the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee held on October 14, 2009.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion passed.
Communications and Other Matters:
09-10-24
A motion was made by Mr. Lamontagne to approve the first reading of the Substance Use/Abuse Policy (File: J27), 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 - absent
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion passed.
09-10-25
A motion was made by Mr. Szetela to approve the first reading of the Anti-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment Policy and Student Grievance Procedure (File: J62), 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 - absent
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion passed.
09-10-26
A motion was made by Mrs. Costello to approve the first reading of the Suspension policy (File: J42), 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 - absent
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion passed.
09-10-27
A motion was made by Mrs. Nawrocki to approve the first reading of the Expulsion policy (File: J43) 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 - absent
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion passed.
09-10-28
A motion was made by Mrs. Lopes to approve the first reading of the Student Welfare policy (File: J46), 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 - absent
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion passed.
09-10-29
A motion was made by Mrs. Styckiewicz to approve the first reading of the Student Accident Insurance policy (File: J47), 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 - absent
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion passed.
Discussion Topic: MASC Annual Business Meeting (Voting Delegate and Resolutions)
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Wojcik to nominate Mrs. Nawrocki as the Voting Delegate at the MASC Annual Business Meeting.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion passed.
Old Business:
Transportation and Safety
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Costello to refer the age of children, in particular kindergarten through grade 2, be reviewed for transportation by the Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion passed.
*Mrs. Wojcik requested a detailed plan for addressing the softball field and to be kept up-to-date on its progress.
*Mrs. Wojcik asked for the Superintendent’s plans for the newly acquired modular classrooms if the City of Chicopee was unsuccessful in purchasing St. Patrick’s School.
New Business:
Voted: On motion by Mrs. Nawrocki to have Kenneth Parsons, Energy Manager, at the next earliest School Committee meeting to discuss our energy program and request that all school committee members and appropriate administration be given copies of the Massachusetts Inspector General’s report that has been alluded to.
Hand vote – 11 present in favor – 1 absent and the motion passed.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Mr. Lamothe to adjourn into Executive Session at 9:12 PM for the purpose of discussing anticipated litigation 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 - absent
The roll call vote was 11 yes – 1 absent and the motion passed.