Agawam Public Schools - S.C. Meeting Minutes April 24, 2007

Completion of Kindergarten screening for the 2007 – 2008 school year. Enrollments to date are as follows: Clark = 53 students, Granger = 55 students, Phelps = 64 students, & Robinson Park = 69 students.

Reminder that Excellence in Teaching Awards Banquet will take place on April 26^th at 5:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin restaurant in Holyoke

Reminder that the AHS Prom will take place on April 27^th at the Log Cabin in Holyoke

Request for two school committee members to serve on the Faolin Peirce Scholarship committee. Interested parties should submit their names to Mrs. Ferioli by April 27^th.

Announcement that Dr. Czajkowski, Mr. Sapelli , & the guidance counselors will attend the annual MASCA conference in Hyannis from April 29^th through May 1, 2007

Request from Mr. Sapelli for an additional ½ day of professional development for K-6 teachers. A resolution will appear on the next agenda.

Congratulations to organizers of the “Myspace.com Workshop” for parents on April 12^th in the high school cafeteria. The successful event was very enlightening for those parents in attendance.

Next, under Highlights on Education, none were scheduled for the evening.

Under Unfinished Business, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2^nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve SCR-07-05, Acceptance of $1,500 Donation to AHS Rosie Robotics from Hartford Steam Boiler.

Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent

Then, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2^nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve SCR-07-06, Dedication of AHS Technology Wing.

Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent

Under Business Meeting, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2^nd by A. Bonavita, the Committee voted to approve the April 10, 2007, regular meeting and Executive Session minutes.

Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent

Under Calendar/Correspondence, R. Doering was absent; therefore none was reported.

Next, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2^nd by A. Bonavita, the Committee approved the following warrants as read: SW-07-52 in the amount of $96,947.55, SW-07-53 in the amount of $382,957.95, and SW-07-54 in the amount of $36,430.04. Also approved was payroll warrant PW-07-05 in the amount of $2,101,296.06.

Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent

Under Reports, the first report of the evening was an update of the District Wide Support Team as presented by members Stacy Wright; parent Susan Hearn, Hampden County Sheriff’s Dept. Clinical Director, Patrick McCarthy; truancy officer Patricia Burns, and Phoenix House representative, Tracy Mineo.

During their presentation, each committee member shared their specialty with the Committee and praised the district for taking a proactive approach to addressing student substance abuse. A lengthy question and answer session then ensued.

The second report of the evening was a Technology Update as presented by IT Specialists Kathleen Baker and Ann Flynn. In her report, K. Baker explained the recent training, which was held for school-based web site facilitators. A. Flynn announced that the Mass. Dept. of Education has approved our district’s Technology Plan. She also noted that the Technology Committee would be reviewing the State’s new K-12 Technology Standards. During discussion, Committee members marveled at the creative ways teachers are using technology in their classrooms as presented in a hand-out.

The final report of the evening was a Financial/Personnel Update as presented by Assistant Superintendent for Business/HR, John Kane. In his personnel report, Mr. Kane noted that four new teachers have been hired for the 2007-2008 school year, one new teacher assistant has been hired at the high school, two medical leave requests were extended, one resignation was received from a teacher effective June 30, 2007, and one new notification of retirement for June 2008 had been received. In his financial report, Mr. Kane estimates a FY’07 surplus as of April 24, 2007, in the amount of $523,496.00.

Next, under Subcommittee Updates, L. Galarneau said that the Policy Subcommittee had met earlier that evening at 6:00 p.m. to review the district’s policy regarding pregnant students and our graduation policy for students who are placed out-of-district. In addition, discussion took place regarding the creation of a Breath Alcohol Testing policy and an e-mail policy as proposed by the MASC. Mrs. Galarneau ended her remarks by noting that the next Policy Subcommittee meeting would take place on May 11^th at 7:30 a.m. in the Superintendent’s office.

Next, under Student Representative's Comments, C. Tierney announced that AHS Peer Leadership members participated in “Grim Reaper Day” as a means of discouraging drunk driving especially during prom season. She also noted that the National Honor Society would be hosting “Penny Wars” in the AHS cafeteria daily with all proceeds collected going to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation . She concluded her remarks by reminding everyone about the AHS prom entitled, “Arabian Nights,” which will take place at the Log Cabin on Friday, April 27, 2007.

Under New Business, SCR-07-08, Acceptance of $1,000 Donation to AHS Rosie Robotics from Hamilton Sunstrand, and SCR-07-09, Approval of Agawam Bowman’s Club Scholarship, were moved to the May 8, 2007, meeting agenda where they will appear under Unfinished Business.

Items discussed, P. Cavallo asked to have copies of new contracts forwarded to the Committee. He also asked to have the date for the next District Goals Committee meeting e-mailed to him. D. Juzba wished students a safe and wonderful time at the prom. She also said she had distributed flyers regarding fundraisers for Rosie Robotics, which will take place on June 1^st and June 30, 2007. A. Bonavita said he was upset that the State Budget was decreased by $618,000. He suggested that some of the FY’07 Budget surplus funds could be used to complete the additional classrooms at the middle school. L. Galarneau said that the Committee should look to create substance abuse programs at the junior high and middle schools similar to the high school’s DWST.

Then, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2^nd by D. Juzba, the Committee, via roll call, voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations and litigation.

Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent

R. Cohen announced that the Committee would return for the sole purpose of adjourning the meeting.

Time: 8:36 p.m.

R. Cohen reconvened the meeting at 9:35 p.m.

Then, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2^nd by R. A. Bonavita, the Committee voted to adjourn.

Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent

Time: 9:36 p.m.

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Alexis Ferioli, Committee Stenographer Roberta G. Doering, Committee Secretary