| Agawam School Committee Minutes – September 26, 2006
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, & R. Sandlin Dr. Czajkowski, W. Sapelli, J. Kane, & student representative Caitlyn Tierney Absent: L. Galarneau During Citizen’s Speak Time, no one from the public came forward. Under Superintendent’s Notes, Dr. Czajkowski reported on the following: · Public release of grade 10 MCAS scores will be September 27, 2006. Public release of grades 3 through 8 MCAS scores will be in mid-October. · Reminder that Agawam Day at the Big E is September 27th. · Review of kindergarten enrollment at each elementary school as of September 1, 2006. · First construction meeting regarding the modular classrooms will take place at 10:00 a.m. in the Superintendent’s office. · Attendance at Superintendent’s Technology Conference on October 3rd and 4th at DCU Center in Worcester · Update regarding successful “classroom walk-throughs” that have taken place at Clark and AHS · First District Wide Support Team meeting will take place on Friday, September 29th at 7:30 a.m. in room 17 at the high school · District Goals Committee will reconvene once all the Community Surveys have been returned and answers have been compiled · Update regarding the parking lot issue at AHS noting meeting with parents, students, and administrators on Monday evening, September 25th to brainstorm possible solutions Next, under Highlights on Education, Dr. Czajkowski introduced each building principal who, in turn, introduced the newest members of their staff to the Committee and viewing public. Under Unfinished Business, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by P. Cavallo, the Committee voted to approve SCR-06-20, Approval of AHS Graduation Ceremony at Symphony Hall on June 3, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent Next, R. Doering nominated R. Sandlin, 2nd by P. Cavallo & D. Juzba, to serve as the Voting Delegate to the MASC Annual Business Meeting on November 8, 2006. There being no further nominations, nominations were closed. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent Then, P. Cavallo nominated R. Doering, 2nd by D. Juzba, to serve as Alternate Delegate to the MASC Annual Business Meeting on November 8, 2006. There being no further nominations, nominations were closed. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent Next, on a motion made by R. Sandlin, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve SCR-06-22, Approval of Bids. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent Under Business Meeting, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to approve the September 12, 2006, regular meeting minutes. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent Under Calendar/Correspondence, secretary D. Juzba read a letter from Director of Special Services, John Provost, who acknowledged the receipt of two, new IBM desktop computers for student use in the new Vocational Academic Program at the junior high school. These computers were provided through a Community Grant due to the efforts of Doug Welch and Sharon Linder. Next, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee approved the following warrants as read: SW-07-07 in the amount of $8,273.62, SW-07-08 in the amount of $21,958.62, SW-07-09 in the amount of $19,795.37, SW-07-10 in the amount of $207,490.70, and SW-07-11 in the amount of $112,742.25. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent Under Reports, the first report of the evening was a Reading Recovery Program Update as presented by Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, William Sapelli, who was joined by Robinson Park School Reading Recovery Specialist, Gloriajean Sheiber. During his report, Mr. Sapelli explained that each elementary school now has two Reading Recovery Specialists and proceeded to introduce the following individuals also in attendance: Pat Belisle and Erin Pease from Granger School Karen Connor and Linda DeGray from Clark School Sharon Gendron and Susan Aubrey from Phelps School Arlene Willett from Robinson Park School
Noting that 68 students were chosen to participate in the program during the 2005-2006 school year, Mr. Sapelli then explained the selection process. A question and answer session ensued. The second report was a Financial/Personnel Update as presented by Assistant Superintendent for Business/Human Resources, John Kane. In his financial report, Mr. Kane said that there is $201,051.00 left over from what he projected from the unexpended funds for FY’06. These additional monies would be applied to the FY’07 Budget. Regarding personnel, he reported that, to date, 31 new teachers have been hired and 16 teachers, 2 principals, and 1 assistant principal have notified him of their intention to retire at the end of June 2007. In addition, 7 teachers and 8 teacher assistants have resigned, 16 new teacher assistants have been hired, and 17 teachers have transferred to different positions within the district. Under Subcommittee Updates, D. Juzba said the Budget/Finance subcommittee had met earlier that evening, and she would provide the full Committee with a report at the October 10th school committee meeting. Next, under Student Representative's Comments, C. Tierney reported that the Agawam Lion’s Club had sent a thank you note to all the AHS National Honor Society members who had helped their organization at the Big E. She also asked if the traffic flow at the high school between 6:55 a.m. to 7:25 a.m. could be redirected or redesigned as the present configuration has resulted in excessive congestion, whereby some students are arriving late to school. She then reminded students that September 29th is the registration deadline for students who plan to take the SAT exam on November 4, 2006. Under New Business, SCR-06-23, Establishment of a Social Studies Honor Society with an Advisor was moved to the October 12, 2006, meeting where it will appear under “Unfinished Business.” Items discussed, A Bonavita requested copies of the Agawam parking ordinances that pertain to the high school parking issue. P. Cavallo said he would like to review those non-union, individual contracts that are due to expire in June of 2007. He also reminded his colleagues to march in the parade on Agawam Day at the Big E. R. Sandlin asked for new contract books as hers were destroyed in her house fire last year. She also commended the AP & SAT reports as well as Mr. Lecuyer’s Food Service Update. Then, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing litigation. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent Time: 8:00 p.m. R. Cohen noted that the Committee would return to open session for the sole purpose of adjournment. At the conclusion of Executive Session, on a motion made by R. Sandlin, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to adjourn. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent Time: 9:17 p.m. ____________________________________ Alexis Ferioli, Committee Stenographer Diane Juzba, Committee Secretary |