| Agawam School Committee Minutes – December 11, 2007
Vice chair, A. Bonavita, called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Agawam Middle School auditorium.
On a motion made by R. Sandlin, 2nd by D. Juzba, 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)
A. Bonavita reconvened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Present: P. Cavallo, R. Doering, D. Juzba, L. Galarneau, & R. Sandlin Dr. Czajkowski, J. Kane, W. Sapelli & student rep. Kaitlyn Weyant
Absent: R. Cohen
During Citizen’s Speak Time, no one from the public came forward,
Under Superintendent’s Notes, Dr. Czajkowski reported on the following items: · Announcement that the AHS Winter Arts Festival will take place on December 13th at 6 p.m. in the school’s auditorium and rotunda. Also, the next DWST meeting will be held on December 14th at 7:30 a.m. in the middle school library. · Al Argenziano from the Mass. Dept. of Education will review the EQA audit results with the Committee during the January 22, 2008, meeting. · Announcement that a unanimous recommendation was made by the group who had attended all five (5) student information system presentations. The recommended vendor was Rediker Software from Wilbraham. A workshop with the Committee and those who participated in the five demonstrations will take place at 6 p.m. on January 8, 2008, prior to the regular Committee meeting. · Announcement that the Positive Behavior Instructional Support initiative is supported by the EOHHS Schools Initiative grant, which is funded through DSS, DMH, and the DOE. · A test of the emergency contacts listed on each child’s emergency card was conducted via the Connect Ed system on December 10th. Approximately 94% of emergency numbers were contacted. · Phase I of the FY’09 Budget process has begun with principals receiving their Excel spreadsheets. Phase I building-based budget sheets are due on December 21, 2008. · Full day of school for students and staff on December 21st. Schools will be closed from December 24th to January 1, 2008. Schools reopen on January 2, 2008. · Acknowledgement and best wishes to P. Cavallo, R. Cohen, and R. Sandlin who will be leaving the Committee and pursuing other interests.
Next, under Highlights on Education, L. Galarneau presented traditional school bells to the three Committee members who are leaving the group. Each brass bell was inscribed with the Committee member’s name and dates of service.
Under Unfinished Business, there was none on the agenda.
Under Business Meeting, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by L. Galarneau, the Committee voted to approve the November 27, 2007, regular meeting minutes. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent
Then, on a motion made by R. Sandlin, 2nd by L. Galarneau, the Committee voted to approve the November 27, 2007, Policy Subcommittee minutes. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent – 1 abstention (P. Cavallo)
Under Calendar/Correspondence, R. Doering read a note from the family of Donald Charest thanking the Committee for their expression of sympathy.
Agawam School Committee Minutes – December 11, 2007 Page 2
Next, on a motion made by R. Doering & R. Sandlin, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee, via roll call, approved the following warrants as read: SW-08-26 in the amount of $41,229.96 and SW-08-27 in the amount of $186,865.80. Also approved was payroll warrant PW-07-14 in the amount of $3,184,277.29 Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent
Under Reports, the only report of the evening was a Technology Update as presented by IT Director, Kevin Brown, and IT Specialists, Ann Flynn and Kathleen Poggi. Some of the highlights of their presentation included the following: - The purchase of new computers
- The purchase of laptop carts for 184 laptop computers
- Netchemia training for regular education teacher regarding student Individual Education Plans
- EPIMS submission to state by the end of December
- Submission and completion of SIMS state reports
- Expansion of e-mail for all staff
- Professional development for teachers regarding technology such as e-mail
- Web design course classes offered to all staff
- Technology Committee update
- Implementation of Confidentiality Statement on all e-mail accounts
At the conclusion of their remarks, a lengthy question and answer session then ensued.
Next, under Subcommittee Updates, L. Galarneau announced that the Policy Subcommittee would meet in January once new members were on board. D. Juzba said the Finance/Budget Subcommittee would also commence meetings in January 2008.
Next, under Student Representative's Comments, Kaitlyn Weyant announced that the Sophomore/Freshman Semi-Formal Dance would take place on Saturday, December 22nd. She also reminded everyone about the Winter Arts Festival on December 13th and also said that students would be taking the ASVAB test on December 13th. In addition, Kaitlyn asked the Committee to consider re-instituting an activity period in student schedules for the 2009-2010 school year. She then wished R. Cohen, P. Cavallo, & R. Sandlin good luck in their future endeavors and thanked them for their kindness and support.
Under New Business, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by R. Sandlin, the Committee voted to suspend the rules so they could vote on SCR-07-21, Approval of the 2008-2009 AHS Program of Studies due to the timeliness for printing. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent
Then, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to approve SCR-07-21 as amended with changes noted at the November 27, 2007 meeting. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent
Under Policy Review, on a motion made by L. Galarneau, 2nd by P. Cavallo & D. Juzba, the Committee voted to take Policy JICH, Chemical Health Policy, off the table. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent
Then, on a motion made by R. Sandlin, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to approve the 1st reading of Policy JICH. Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 absent
Under Items, A. Bonavita, R. Doering, L. Galarneau, & D. Juzba wished their departing colleagues, R. Cohen, P. Cavallo & R. Sandlin, a fond farewell. Committee members also wished everyone a happy & safe holiday. In addition, R. Sandlin declared the AHS Honors Chorus Ice Cream Social a fantastic success. L. Galarneau asked Dr. Czajkowski if she had attended the “Expanded Learning Time Summit” in Boston. Dr. Czajkowski said Mr. Sapelli attended the summit with her, and she will give the Committee a report about the Summit in the near future. Agawam School Committee Minutes – December 11, 2007 Page 3
There being no further business, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by R. Sandlin, the Committee voted to adjourn. Vote: 6 – 0 - 1 absent Time: 8:21 p.m.
____________________________________ Alexis Ferioli, Committee Stenographer Roberta G. Doering, Committee Secretary |