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Agawam School Committee
Minutes – February 13, 2007
Chair, R. Cohen, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Agawam Middle School auditorium.
Present: A. Bonavita, P. Cavallo, R. Doering, D. Juzba, L. Galarneau, R. Sandlin
Dr. Czajkowski, J. Kane, W. Sapelli, & student representative Caitlyn Tierney
During Citizen’s Speak Time, no one from the public came forward.
Then, on a motion made by R. Sandlin, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to suspend the rules and to take item #6, Highlights on Education, out of order and to place it before item #5, Superintendent’s Notes, so that students and parents who were present for the presentation of the “Agawam Academic A” award would not have to wait.
Vote: 7 - 0
Under Highlights on Education, Dr. Czajkowski was joined by the Committee and Agawam High School administrators in the presentation of the “Agawam Academic A” to 113 students who have maintained a grade point average of 3.0 for their freshman, sophomore, and junior years, as well as the first semester of their senior year.
Under Superintendent’s Notes, Dr. Czajkowski began by asking the Committee for approval to revise the School-Based Website Facilitator job description.
On a motion made P. Cavallo, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the revision of the School-Based Website Facilitator job description.
Vote: 7 - 0
Dr. Czajkowski then reported on the following items:
Welcome to Boy Scout Troop 185 from the First Baptist Church of Agawam who were visiting as a requirement for a merit badge
AHS students Michele Maczka and Malcolm Medina will be joining state representative R. Sandlin and state senator S. Buoniconti for Student Government Day in Boston on April 27, 2007
Middle school guidance counselor Jennifer Lapointe will be conducting grief group sessions for middle school students in conjunction with Jill Adams and Carrie Walker-Ray, licensed therapists.
AHS senior Caitlin Grimaldi will be participating in an internship program with our Career Center Supervisor, Debra Hunter
AHS students Amanda Bessette, Nicole Cameron, and Vincent Buiso were selected as Student Achievers in Math, and Science/Technology and featured in the Springfield Republican newspaper.
Schools will be closed for winter vacation from February 19th – February 23rd, and will reopen on February 26th.
Student drop out rates for Agawam were misreported in the newspaper. Mr. Cavallo then explained his conversation with the Mass. Dept. of Education about the calculation of drop out rates.
Recommendation that the junior high school principal search be reopened as not enough qualified candidates applied and interviews did not yield a good match for the district.
Under Unfinished Business, on a motion made by P. Cavallo & R. Doering, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve SCR-07-02, Adoption of 2007-2008 School Calendar.
Vote: 7 - 0
Under Business Meeting, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by A. Bonavita & P. Cavallo, the Committee voted to approve the January 23, 2007, regular meeting and Executive Session minutes.
Vote: 7 - 0
Under Calendar/Correspondence, R. Doering said none had been received.
Next, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by R. Sandlin, the Committee approved the following warrants as read: SW-07-38 in the amount of $86,060.28, SW-07-39 in the amount of $38,537.14, SW-07-40 in the amount of $26,738.01, and SW-07-41 in the amount of $863,630.10.
Vote: 7 - 0
Under Reports, the first report of the evening was a LPVEC Update as presented by Executive Director, Ann McKenzie and Career Tech Director, James Laverty. Some of the highlights from their PowerPoint presentation included a breakdown of student enrollment by town, overview of the LPVEC budget, special education services, adult education, and the development of a Policy Subcommittee for the LPVEC Collaborative and Corporation.
The second report was a high school Student Advisory Committee Update as presented by AHS student representative, Caitlyn Tierney. In her update, Caitlyn provided an overview of the organization’s activities to date including the election of freshman class officers and the aluminum tab collection to benefit Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. The group’s future events include student voter registration, visits to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield, and recognition of “Teacher Appreciation Week” from May 6th – 12, 2007. Caitlyn concluded her report by inviting Committee members to attend the next Student Government meeting, which will take place on March 6th at 1:50 p.m. in room 26 at the high school.
Under Subcommittee Updates, A. Bonavita shared information discussed at a recent Technology Committee meeting. D. Juzba said that the Budget/Finance Subcommittee had met earlier that evening and were presented information regarding a new student information software program by IT Director, Kevin Brown and IT Specialist for Data Management, Kathleen Baker. P. Cavallo explained that the District Goals Committee had met on January 29th to review the results of the community surveys. The group will next meet on March 5th at 2:30 p.m.
Next, under Student Representative's Comments, C. Tierney said she had nothing further to report.
Under New Business, there was none on the agenda.
Next, under Policy Review, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by P. Cavallo, the Committee voted to approve the 2nd & 3rd readings of Policy IJOA-E, Field Trip Checklist.
Vote: 7 - 0
On a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the 2nd & 3rd readings of Policy IHCA, Summer School.
Vote: 7 - 0
Then, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the 2nd & 3rd readings of Policy IHD, Adult Education/Night School Programs.
Vote: 7 - 0
Next, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by A. Bonavita, the Committee voted to approve the 2nd & 3rd readings of Policy IHE, Dual Enrollment.
Vote: 7 - 0
On a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the 2nd & 3rd readings of Policy EBAB, Chemical Purchasing Policy.
Vote: 7 - 0
Next, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by P. Cavallo, the Committee voted to approve the 2nd & 3rd readings of Policy EBAB-1, Chemical Emergency Response Plan.
Vote: 7 - 0
Items discussed, D. Juzba asked if the Committee could receive copies of the Granger School Improvement Council minutes and agendas. Dr. Czajkowski said she would contact Mrs. Thomas and forward any back copies to the Committee. Mrs. Juzba also said the Rosie Robotics “Ziti Dinner” was an enormous success. A. Bonavita said that the recent Committee workshop regarding Roles & Responsibilities was very productive. He also said that he would like more information about the upcoming workshop regarding the state’s dropout system, which will be held at the DCU center in Worcester. L. Galarneau said she would be looking to set a date for the next Policy Subcommittee meeting to review a proposed breath analyzer policy. She also asked for feedback regarding the fat content of chicken nuggets listed on the new lunch department menu. Dr. Czajkowski said she would have our Food Service Director, Joseph Lecuyer, contact her directly about her concern. R. Sandlin asked when the next DWST meeting would take place. Dr. Czajkowski explained that DWST meetings would be held on the first Friday of each month with the next scheduled for March 2nd. R. Sandlin also asked how many other teachers beside Tamara Watson had received VHS training and reminded everyone about “Engineering Week.”
Next, on a motion made by R. Sandlin, 2nd by P. Cavallo & D. Juzba, the Committee, via roll call, voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations and litigation.
Vote: 7 - 0
R. Cohen reconvened the meeting at 10:11 p.m.
There being no further business, on a motion made by R. Sandlin, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to adjourn.
Vote: 7 - 0
Time: 10:12 p.m.
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Alexis Ferioli, Committee Stenographer Roberta G. Doering, Committee Secretary
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