Agawam School Committee

Minutes – October 23, 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 rep. Kaitlyn Weyant

During Citizen’s Speak Time, no one from the public came forward,

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

· The EQA team would like to interview Committee members on October 31^st from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Conference Room

· An increase of 21% in the number of AHS students taking the PSAT on October 20, 2007.

· On November 7^th at 1:00 p.m. Karen Lott from the College Board will meet with school counselors, administrators, and curriculum specialists at the high school.

· Thank you to Mark Tansey, owner of Partner’s Restaurant, for hosting the annual breakfast for honor roll students at the middle school.

· A tabletop exercise simulating a crisis will take place on November 8^th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the MEMA office with all principals.

· On November 6^th, all schools will be closed for a full day of staff professional development.

· Crisis Management Training will take place on October 25^th and 26^th at the public library for school crisis teams.

· Attendance at an initial meeting concerning implementing a Teaming Model with junior high staff and administration on October 23^rd.

· Presentations regarding a new student information session will take place on November 5^th at 2:00 p.m. with the X2 Corporation and on November 9^th at 1:00 p.m. with IPASS Solutions. Both sessions will take place in the high school library computer center.

Next, under Highlights on Education, Dr. Czajkowski was joined by Mr. Kane, Mr. Sapelli, and the Committee in her presentation of the annual M.A.S.S. Academic Achievement Award to AHS seniors Elizabeth Mattarazzo and Nimish Shah.

Under Unfinished Business, Vice Chair A. Bonavita read the following M.A.S.C. Resolutions on which the Committee voted whether or not to support:

· On a motion made by R. Sandlin, 2^nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to support Resolution 1, “Including Transitory Student Enrollment in the Calculation of Aid under Chapter 70.” Vote: 7 – 0

· On a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2^nd by R. Sandlin, the Committee, via roll call, voted not to support Resolution 2, “Protection of Individual Committee Member Performance Evaluation Comments.” Vote : 1 – 6 nay (A. Bonavita, R. Cohen, P. Cavallo, R. Doering, D. Juzba, R. Sandlin)

· On a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2^nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to support Resolution 3, “Adequate Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 Public Education Funding.” Vote: 7 – 0

· On a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2^nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to support Resolution 4, “Reinstatement of the Legislature’s Funding Local School Transportation Costs at 100%.” Vote: 7 – 0

· On a motion made by R. Sandlin, 2^nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to support Resolution 5, “Funding for Unbudgeted Transportation, Fuel, and Electrical Costs.” Vote: 7 - 0

Under Business Meeting, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2^nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to approve the October 9, 2007, regular meeting and Executive Session minutes.

Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 abstention (R. Sandlin)

On a motion made by R. Sandlin, 2^nd by A. Bonavita, the Committee voted to approve the July 2, 2007, special meeting minutes.

Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 abstention (D. Juzba)

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

Vote: 7 - 0

Under Reports, the first report of the evening was an update of MCAS scores as presented by W. Sapelli, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction and Nancy Farrell, Secondary Curriculum Specialist for Mathematics. During their PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Sapelli and Mrs. Farrell highlighted the following:

· Adequate Yearly Progress Facts

· Factors Determining AYP

· 2007 AYP Determinations – Key Changes

· Grade 3 Reading & Math scores

· Grade 4 ELA & Math scores

· Grade 5 ELA, Math, & Science scores

· Grade 6 ELA & Math scores

· Grade 7 ELA & Math scores

· Grade 8 ELA, Math, & Science scores

· Grade 10 ELA, Math, Biology, & Physics scores

· District ELA & Math Improvement Initiatives

· Spring 2008 MCAS test schedule

The second 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 the district has hired 1 new speech/language pathologist, 2 new teacher assistants, 2 teachers had requested maternity leave, 1 teacher notified the district that she would not retire in June 2008 as originally planned, 1 teacher resigned, 1 teacher assistant resigned and was hired as a permanent substitute at one of our schools, and 1 PC Technician resigned and was hired by the Town of Agawam. In his financial report, Mr. Kane estimated an FY’08 surplus in the amount of $105,036.00, to date.

Next, under Subcommittee Updates, D. Juzba said that the Budget/Finance Subcommittee had met on October 9, 2007, and discussed the need for a Network Support Technician and the status of the middle school autistic classroom. Next, R. Doering reported that the Building Committee for the elementary modular classrooms would be meeting on October 24^th noting the group’s business was winding down. L. Galarneau questioned the status of repairs mentioned in the meeting minutes. R. Cohen explained that all repairs to the roof, toilets, and tile must be completed by Friday, October 26, 2007, or Mr. Albro would bring in personnel to complete the repairs.

Next, under Student Representative's Comments, Kaitlyn Weyant said that students holding Renaissance cards were upset that the average for receiving mid-term and final exam exemption was raised from 85 to 90 and the exemption was at the discretion of the individual teacher. After a lengthy discussion, Dr. Czajkowski said that she would check to see what was written in the AHS Student Handbook, as that is what should be followed.

Under New Business, SCR-07-20, Approval of Job Description for Network Support Technician, was moved to the November 13, 2007, meeting where it will appear under Unfinished Business.

Under Items, P. Cavallo reminded everyone to vote on November 6, 2007. D. Juzba praised the new administrative team at the junior high school for their prompt response to a serious situation involving a student. R. Sandlin wished her colleagues luck in the forthcoming elections on November 6^th noting how hard the Committee works at the local level and how they have direct input with legislation via their state association.

Then, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2^nd by R. Sandlin, the Committee, via roll call, voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations.

Vote: 7 - 0

R. Cohen announced that the Committee would reconvene for the sole purpose of adjournment. Time: 8:37 p.m.

R. Cohen reconvened the meeting at 9:16 p.m.

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

Vote: 7 - 0

Time: 9:16 p.m.

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