| Agawam School Committee Minutes – January 23, 2007
Chair, R. Cohen, called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Agawam Middle School auditorium. Present: A. Bonavita, P. Cavallo, R. Doering, & D. Juzba Dr. Czajkowski, J. Kane, W. Sapelli Absent: L. Galarneau, R. Sandlin On a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted, via roll call, to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations. Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent R. Cohen reconvened the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. Student representative C. Tierney arrived at 6:55 p.m. During Citizen’s Speak Time, no one from the public came forward. Under Superintendent’s Notes, Dr. Czajkowski asked for a vote of the Committee, so that she can go forward with the evaluation of our district’s guidance program. On a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to move forward with the guidance program evaluation proposal for grades K – 12. Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent Dr. Czajkowski said that she would forward a copy of the evaluation to Committee members once it had been completed. She then reported on the following items: · Announcement that LPVEC Executive Director, Ann McKenzie, has postponed her report to the Committee until February 13, 2007, so that she may travel to Washington, DC to secure a grant. · Thank you to AHS Career Center Supervisor, Debra Hunter, and the Agawam Chamber of Commerce for their work in organizing the first Career Day for 8th grade students, which was highly successful and will be expanded to the 7th grade next year. A special thank you to Mayor Cohen and Mrs. Doering who also attended the event. · Announcement that a copy of the “Superintendent’s S.O.S. Newsletter” has been printed and will be mailed to the homes of all students, distributed to all staff, and placed at the public library, Town Hall, and Agawam Senior Center. A special thank you to editor, Mary Cincotta. · The first set of modular classrooms was hoisted into place at Granger School on Monday, January 22, 2007. Phelps School will receive their modular classrooms next, followed by Robinson Park School. · Announcement that surveillance cameras and intercom systems have been completely installed at all of our elementary schools and at the junior high school. Work at the middle and senior high schools will be completed this week. · The District Goals Committee will meet on Monday, January 29th, at 3:30 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Conference Room to review staff and community surveys. · Our Rosie Robotics team is working diligently each evening to complete their robot for forthcoming competitions. Committee members are welcome to stop in to the AHS shop area at 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday of each week to view the team members at work. Next, under Highlights on Education, none were scheduled. Under Unfinished Business, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by P. Cavallo, the Committee voted to approve SCR-07-01, Approval of Job Description for School-Based Website Facilitator. Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent Under Business Meeting, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the January 9, 2007, regular meeting minutes. Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent Under Calendar/Correspondence, R. Doering said none had been received. Next, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee approved the following warrants as read: SW-07-35 in the amount of $57,131.73, SW-07-36 in the amount of $28,831.92, and SW-07-37 in the amount of $704,631.71. Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent Under Reports, the only scheduled report of the evening was a Financial/Personnel Update as presented by J. Kane, Assistant Superintendent for Business/HR. In his personnel report, Mr. Kane noted that 1 new teacher assistant had been hired at Granger School, 1 teacher had requested maternity leave, 2 teachers had requested medical leave, and 1 teacher had resigned due to family reasons. In his financial report, he estimated a FY’07 Budget surplus, to date, in the amount of $239,044.00. Under Subcommittee Updates, D. Juzba announced that the Budget/Finance Subcommittee would meet next on Tuesday, February 13th, at 5:30 p.m. in the middle school auditorium. Next, under Student Representative's Comments, C. Tierney announced that the high school Drama Club would be producing several “Winter One Acts” on January 25th at 7:00 p.m. in the AHS auditorium. She also noted that the Class of 2008 would be hosting a fundraising event similar to the “Dating Game” television show on February 7th at 7:00 p.m. Under New Business, SCR-07-02, Adoption of 2007 – 2008 School Calendar was moved to the February 13, 2007, meeting where it will appear under Unfinished Business. Next, under Policy Review, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the 1st reading of Policy IJOA-E, Field Trip Checklist. Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent On a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to approve the 1st reading of Policy IHCA, Summer School. Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent Then, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the 1st reading of Policy IHD, Adult Education/Night School Programs. Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent Next, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the 1st reading of Policy IHE, Dual Enrollment. Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent On a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the 1st reading of Policy EBAB, Chemical Purchasing Policy. During discussion, A. Bonavita asked if the Police and Fire Departments had been consulted regarding this policy. Dr. Czajkowski said that both departments had reviewed it and supported it. Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent Next, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by A. Bonavita, the Committee voted to approve the 1st reading of Policy EBAB-1, Chemical Emergency Response Plan. Vote: 5 – 0 – 2 absent Items discussed, R. Doering said that the AJHS 8th Grade Career Day was extremely well done and complimented AHS Career Center Supervisor, Debra Hunter, and the Agawam Chamber of Commerce. She also asked administration to think about reinstating foreign language at the middle school and possibly offering it at the elementary level while deliberating the FY’08 Budget. A. Bonavita asked if our new policies would be placed on our district website. Dr. Czajkowski said that the district’s policies would be placed on our new website in the near future. P. Cavallo commended Mr. Kane for providing monthly financial reports so that Committee members can be kept current with the financial aspect of their responsibilities, noting that most districts only receive quarterly reports. He also praised his personnel updates whereby the Committee is made aware of staff changes. There being no further business, on a motion made by R. Doering, D. Juzba, & A. Bonavita, 2nd by P. Cavallo, the Committee voted to adjourn. Vote: 5 – 0 - 2 absent Time: 7:19 p.m. ____________________________________ Alexis Ferioli, Committee Stenographer Roberta G. Doering, Committee Secretary |