Agawam Public Schools - S.C. Meeting Minutes October 9, 2007

During Citizen’s Speak Time, Susan Dawson of 21 Alexander Drive began to admonish R. Cohen about parliamentary procedure, but was called out of order, as her remarks had nothing to do with school business or school policies. R. Cohen directed Mrs. Dawson to bring any concerns about his use of parliamentary procedure directly to him at his office.

Under Superintendent’s Notes, Dr. Czajkowski reported on the following items:

· Announcement that R. Sandlin’s son, John, had suffered a massive heart attack in Boston and request that they both be kept in the Committee’s thoughts and prayers

· Reminder that the EQA visiting team would be in our district from October 29^th to November 1, 2007. The team has requested a meeting with Committee members on October 31^st from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Conference Room. Please notify Mrs. Ferioli if you will be able to attend.

· On October 16^th and 17, 2007, Dr. Czajkowski & Dr. Costa from ELPS will be presenting at the Annual Superintendent’s Technology Conference at the DCU Center in Worcester

· E-mail notification from high school science teacher regarding the use of assistive technology in the classroom

· FY’07 Circuit Breaker audit will be conducted on January 14, 2008, in the Special Services Conference Room

· Presentation to the Agawam Rotary regarding “What’s Happening in the Agawam Public Schools” took place on October 3, 2007.

· Agawam High School Counseling Department’s hosting of “College Planning Night,” which was a huge success

· Attendance by Dr. Czajkowski and Mr. Sapelli at the Agawam Clergy Association’s luncheon. The clergy would like to meet with the Committee during a workshop to discuss offering an elective course at the high school entitled, “The Bible and It’s Influence.”

During discussion, P. Cavallo noted the inordinate amount of audits the State requires districts to undergo and suggested that the Committee draft a letter to the Mass. Department of Education addressing the reduction of these multiple audits. A. Bonavita also suggested that a resolution from the Committee should be drafted so that it could be included in the official record of Committee minutes. It was agreed that an Ad Hoc Subcommittee comprised of A. Bonavita, P. Cavallo, & R. Doering would draft a resolution and letter for the Committee to review and sign.

Next, under Highlights on Education, Career Center Supervisor, Debra Hunter, and AHS student, Nicole Cameron, presented an update regarding the Virtual High School program, in which Nicole participates. Ms. Hunter also updated the Committee about the Career Center’s many programs offered to students this year.

Under Unfinished Business, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2^nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to approve SCR-07-18, Request for Approval of Data Collection Specialist Job Description.

Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent

Under Business Meeting, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2^nd by R. Doering & D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the September 25, 2007, regular meeting and Executive Session minutes.

Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent

Under Calendar/Correspondence, R. Doering said she had not received any correspondence.

Next, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2^nd by A. Bonavita, the Committee approved the following warrants as read: SW-08-12 in the amount of $149,061.41, SW-08-13 in the amount of $355,358.20, and SW-08-14 in the amount of $37,725.04. Also approved was payroll warrant PW-07-12 in the amount of $1,967,139.48.

Vote: 6 – 0 -1 absent

Under Reports, the first report of the evening was a 2007-2008 School Year Priorities update as presented by Dr. Czajkowski. During her PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Czajkowski highlighted several goals including the following:

· Research a new Student Information System to replace SchoolPro

· BeSafe School Safety Plans

· Update job descriptions

· NEASC accreditation

· Complete renovations to the middle school autistic classroom

· Implement new MASCA Model for School Counseling

· Pilot the Positive Behavior Support initiative in three schools

· Investigate Universal PreK

· Develop a Teaming Model at the junior high school

· Train administrators in the use of NetChemia software program for special education

· Negotiate a new teacher’s evaluation instrument

· Develop a parent reunification plan in case of an emergency

· Expand the DWST to include grades K – 8

· Review AHS graduation requirements

· Fulfill requirements of the EQA audit

Two paper reports regarding student/teacher enrollment and the elimination of high school courses were distributed to the Committee in their packets. R. Cohen said that questions concerning either of those two reports should be directed to the appropriate parties.

Next, under Subcommittee Updates, D. Juzba said that the Budget/Finance Subcommittee had met earlier that evening and she would be presenting an update to the Committee at its next meeting on October 23, 2007.

Next, under Student Representative's Comments, Kaitlyn Weyant explained that several high ability students at the high school would like to have a study skills course offered as an elective. She also congratulated the members of the school’s three undefeated teams to date: Girl’s Varsity Field Hockey, Girl’s Cross Country, and Girl’s Gymnastics. Kaitlyn also announced that the school’s annual Top 40 Concert would take place on Thursday, November 8^th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the AHS auditorium.

Under New Business, SCR-07-19, MASC Resolutions, was moved to the October 23, 2007, meeting where it will appear under Unfinished Business.

Under Policy Review, R. Doering, made a motion to approve the 2^nd & 3^rd readings of Policy IHCA, Summer Schools, 2^nd by D. Juzba.

During discussion, L. Galarneau moved to amend Policy IHCA by deleting “Agawam High School “ at the beginning of the #2 sentence and replacing it with just the word “student”, as junior high school students also are eligible to attend summer school. She also asked that the letter grade of “D” and the letter grade of “F” be removed from #2 and #5, respectively, to maintain consistency.

Then on a motion made by L. Galarneau, 2^nd by P. Cavallo & D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the 2^nd & 3^rd readings of Policy IHCA, Summer Schools, as amended.

Vote: 6 – 0 – 1absent

Next, A. Bonavita, made a motion to approve the 2^nd & 3^rd readings of Policy IHD, Evening School Programs, 2^nd P. Cavallo.

During discussion, L. Galarneau moved to amend Policy IHD by deleting the letter grade of “D-” from the fifth paragraph to maintain consistency.

Then, on a motion made by L. Galarneau, 2^nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the 2^nd & 3^rd readings of Policy IHD, Evening School Programs, as amended.

Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent

Next, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2^nd by L. Galarneau, the Committee voted to approve the 2^nd & 3^rd readings of Policy IHE, Dual Enrollment – Evening School.

Vote:6 – 0 – 1 absent

Under Items, P. Cavallo suggested to the Budget/Finance Subcommittee and Dr. Czajkowski that a stipend be granted to someone for creating a public relations booklet for the school district. He also suggested that the Committee purchase a new banner prior to marching in the Memorial Day Parade. D. Juzba said she would keep R. Sandlin’s son in her thoughts. A. Bonavita echoed his colleague’s sentiments and also said that he was impressed by Dr. Czajkowski’s list of 2007-2008 School Year Priorities. R. Doering concurred with the idea of a public relations booklet and also hoped that the grade-level brochures would continue to be shared with parents. L. Galarneau said she would like to receive a breakdown of in-house suspensions by school and a graduation rate report. She also questioned why Mr. Lecuyer’s Food Survey was conducted in grades K – 6 rather than in grades K – 12.

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

Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent

R. Cohen announced that the Committee would reconvene for the sole purpose of adjournment.

Time: 8:19 p.m.

R. Cohen reconvened the meeting at 8:39 p.m.

There being no further business, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2^nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to adjourn.

Vote: 6 – 0 – 1absent

Time: 8:40 p.m.

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