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Agawam School Committee
Minutes – May 8, 2007
Amended May 22, 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 C. Tierney
During Citizen’s Speak Time, John Burns of 107 Thalia Dr., F.H. thanked D. Juzba for sponsoring a resolution to name the Technology Wing at AHS in his honor and the Committee for supporting the resolution. R. Doering then read a letter to the Committee from Patricia Burns, thanking the group for dedicating the high school’s Technology Wing in her father’s honor. Next, special education teacher Andrea Rutherford asked the Committee to approve a benefit softball game for former student, Aimee Beaudette, who is still recovering from a brain virus.
On a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by P. Cavallo & R. Sandlin, the Committee voted to suspend the rules and to vote on whether or not to approve the benefit softball game.
Vote: 7 – 0
Then, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2nd by D. Juzba, & R. Doering, the Committee voted to approve “Aimee’s 100 Inning Marathon Game” fundraiser for former AHS graduate Aimee Beaudette.
Vote: 7 - 0
Under Superintendent’s Notes, Dr. Czajkowski reported on the following items:
Thank you to staff in recognition of National Teacher’ Day
Dedication of John T. Burns Technology Wing at AHS on June 7th at 6:30 p.m.
Addition of approximately 80 new parking spaces at AHS with an anticipated completion date of September 2007. Approximate cost of $150,000.00, of which $105,000.00 would be taken from the school department’s revolving accounts such as Continuing Education, Adult Education, Before & After School Program, Interest Account, School Rentals, Summer Camp, & the AHS Parking Fund. Approximately $45,000.00 would be funded by the city’s D.P.W.
Then, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to suspend the rules in order to approve the expenditures outline by Mr. Kane from revolving funds in the amount of $105,000.00.
Vote: 7 -0
During discussion, R. Cohen explained that it is not necessary for the Committee to approve the use of the revolving account funds, as they would be used to directly benefit students. After a lengthy question and answer session, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by R. Sandlin & R. Doering, the Committee voted to amend the motion to say support rather than approve.
Vote: 7 – 0
Then, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee, via roll call, voted to support the expenditures outlined by Mr. Kane from revolving accounts on the school side in the amount of approximately $105,000.00.
Vote: 6 – 1 (nay – P. Cavallo)
Attendance at the annual MASCA Conference with Mr. Sapelli, school counselors, and the Career Center supervisor. The school counseling assessment final report will be presented to the full Committee at the June 12th meeting.
Request to appropriate funding from the FY’07 Budget surplus amount to fund the completion of the Middle School classrooms prior to the June 26th regular school committee meeting. Also, a request by Mr. Sapelli to purchase math textbooks for the elementary schools and science textbooks for the middle school in the amount of $82,000.00 from the FY’07 Budget surplus.
Ribbon cutting ceremony for modular classrooms will take place on September 5, 2007, with a tour of the modular classrooms prior to the close of school in June.
Next, under Highlights on Education, James Clark School principal Sandra Howard was joined by the 17 members of her school’s Student Council in a presentation of a check in the amount of $500.00 to the MSPCA. During their presentation, students shared the various fundraising activities with which the group has been involved this school year.
Under Unfinished Business, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2nd by D. Juzba& R. Sandlin, the Committee voted to approve SCR-07-08, Acceptance of $1,000 Donation to AHS Rosie Robotics Team from Hamilton Sunstrand.
Vote: 7 - 0
Then, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by A. Bonavita & P. Cavallo, the Committee voted to approve SCR-07-09, Approval of Agawam Bowman’s Club Scholarship.
Vote: 7 - 0
Under Business Meeting, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by A. Bonavita & L. Galarneau, the Committee voted to approve the April 24, 2007, regular meeting and Executive Session minutes.
Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 abstention (R. Sandlin)
Under Calendar/Correspondence, R. Doering said she had previously read the letter from Patricia Burns and had not received any other correspondence.
Next, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee approved the following warrants as read: SW-07-55 in the amount of $27,499.65, SW-07-56 in the amount of $16,215.33, and SW-07-57 in the amount of $169,565.21.
Vote: 7 - 0
Under Reports, the first report of the evening was a Curriculum Writing & Delivery Update as presented by W. Sapelli, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction. In his update, Mr. Sapelli credited the secondary, assistant secondary, and elementary specialists for their outstanding job performance. A lengthy question and answer session then took place.
The second report of the evening was a District Goals Update as presented by Dr. Czajkowski. During her PowerPoint presentation she highlighted the district’s goals for the 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 school years in the areas of Business & Financial Management; Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment; Professional Staff; School Governance & Leadership; and Students/Staff/Parent Programs & Services. Dr. Czajkowski also reviewed the district’s new Mission Statement, Vision, and Core Values.
During discussion, R. Sandlin suggested adding the following to the district’s goals: Universal PreK, and placing the Superintendent’s Notes on-line in 2007-2008. L. Galarneau suggested reviewing high school core subjects required for graduation and investigating the extension of the school day. Committee members also agreed that a workshop to align the Committee’s goals and objectives with the new district goals should be scheduled for an evening in June.
Then, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by D. Juzba & R. Doering, the Committee voted to approve the District Goals “Vision 2010” as amended.
Vote: 7 - 0
Next, under Subcommittee Updates, there were none.
Next, under Student Representative's Comments, C. Tierney declared the AHS Prom, Arabian Nights, a wonderful success and fun-filled evening for everyone who attended. She also announced that the Freshman Class of 2010 had won the “Penny Wars” fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis. Caitlyn then informed the Committee about the following senior activities that would be taking place during the next few weeks:
Senior Picnic May 29th, Graduation Rehearsal May 31st, Senior Awards Night May 31st, Senior Picnic
June 1st at High Meadows, and Graduation at 1:00 p.m. on June 3rd at Symphony Hall.
Under New Business, SCR-07-10, Request for Additional Half-Day of Professional Development for Grades K-6, was moved to the May 8, 2007, meeting agenda where it will appear under Unfinished Business.
Items discussed, D. Juzba thanked the James Clark School Student Council for all their fund-raising efforts on behalf of the MSPCA. P. Cavallo commended those students who were recently inducted into the National Honor Society. He also reminded his colleagues to march in the Memorial Day Parade. A. Bonavita asked for confirmation on the following scheduled meetings/events: an Executive Session has been scheduled for May 15th at 5:30 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Conference Room, the Special Education Ad Hoc Subcommittee would be meeting with the PAC’s executive board to establish next year’s meeting schedule on May 17th at 6:30 p.m. in the Special Education Conference Room, and that on June 7th the dedication ceremony for the John T. Burns Technology Wing would be taking place at 6:30 p.m. R. Sandlin suggested that the present high school student parking regulations should be re-examined. She also declared the recent MASC “Day on the Hill” the largest ever attended noting that a great discussion had taken place.
Then, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to adjourn.
Vote: 7 - 0
Time: 9:06 p.m.
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Alexis Ferioli, Committee Stenographer Roberta G. Doering, Committee Secretary
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