| Agawam School Committee Minutes – January 8, 2008
Chair, S. Dawson, called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Agawam Middle School auditorium.
Present: A. Bonavita, J. Burns, R. Doering, D. Juzba, L. Galarneau, & S. Reed Dr. Czajkowski, J. Kane, W. Sapelli & student rep. Kaitlyn Weyant
Next, under Organization of School Committee, Election of Officers, D. Juzba nominated A. Bonavita for the position of Vice Chair. There being no further nominations, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by J. Burns, nominations were closed. The Committee then voted, via roll call, to elect A. Bonavita Vice Chair. Vote: 7 – 0
Next, A. Bonavita nominated R. Doering for Secretary. There being no further nominations, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by L. Galarneau, nominations were closed. The Committee then voted, via roll call, to elect R. Doering Secretary. Vote: 7 - 0
During Citizen’s Speak Time, no one from the public came forward.
Under Superintendent’s Notes, Dr. Czajkowski reported on the following items: · Welcome to the following new Committee members: Mayor Dawson, J. Burns, & S. Reed · Update regarding the renovation of room 109 at the Agawam Middle School · Announcement that Math teachers Kim Donovan, Adrianna Gallo-Grimaldi, Nancy Farrell, & Karen Roberts have been selected to serve on the Mass. Department of Education’s MCAS Assessment Development Committee. · Announcement that the administration will host a Meet & Greet Workshop with the Committee at 6:00 p.m. on February 12, 2008, to discuss district initiatives and to develop a partnership to improve schools. · Update regarding the traffic flow problem at the high school. A meeting with all concerned parties will take place on January 28, 2008. · Reminder that the next DWST meeting will take place on January 11, 2008, at 7:30 a.m. at the junior high school. · Well wishes for a speedy recovery to substitute coordinator and junior high school secretary, Cele Daigneau, who has been hospitalized.
Next, under Highlights on Education, there were none scheduled.
Under Unfinished Business, there was none on the agenda.
Under Business Meeting, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to approve the December 11, 2007, regular meeting and Executive Session minutes. Vote: 4 – 0 – 3 abstentions (S. Dawson, J. Burns, S. Reed)
Under Calendar/Correspondence, R. Doering read a note from the Sandlin family thanking the Committee for their expression of sympathy. A. Bonavita announced that Representative Sandlin would provide R. Doering with any pertinent state house legislation.
Next, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee approved the following warrants as read: SW-08-28 in the amount of $80,835.41, SW-08-29 in the amount of $54,319.50, SW-08-30 in the amount of $213,365.64, SW-08-31 in the amount of $79,457.86, and SW-08-32 in the amount of $23,961.73. Also approved was payroll warrant PW-08-01 in the amount of $2,112,282.95. Vote: 7 - 0
Under Reports, the only report of the evening was a Curriculum Update as presented by W. Sapelli, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction. Some of the highlights of his report included the following: - Curriculum writing in the areas of Math, Social Studies, Business Instructional Tech., & Kindergarten.
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- The writing of standardized exams in the areas of ELA, Math, Business Instruction Technology, Foreign Language, and Science
- Review of FY’09 Budget needs in all areas.
- MCAS review
- Rubrics developed or updated in all areas
At the conclusion of his remarks, a question and answer session took place.
Next, under Subcommittee Updates, no reports were given.
Next, under Student Representative's Comments, Kaitlyn Weyant began by congratulating all the newly-elected Committee members. She also reported that her fellow students do not believe there is enough incentive to now become a member of Renaissance because of the new higher grade requirement of 90 and teacher discretion for allowing exam exemption. In her final remarks, Kaitlyn discussed the traffic flow problem this year at the high school.
Under New Business, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by L. Galarneau, the Committee voted to suspend the rules so they could vote on purchasing the new Rediker Student Information Software. Vote: 7 - 0
Then, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to authorized the Superintendent and administration to purchase the Rediker Student Information Software at a cost of $165,482.00 to be spread out over 3 years and to take the initial payment of $50,000 from the FY’08 unexpended funds account. Vote: 7 - 0
Next, S. Dawson announced that SCR-08-01, Approval of Use of the AHS Auditorium by the Mary Ann Studio of Dance on June 16 & 19, 2008, would be moved to the January 22, 2008, meeting where it will appear under Unfinished Business.
Under Policy Review, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by J. Burns, the Committee voted to approve the 2nd & 3rd readings of Policy JICH Chemical Health Policy. Vote: 7 – 0
During discussion, L. Galarneau suggested a grammatical revision to keep the policy from sounding redundant.
On a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to amend Policy JICH as suggested by L. Galarneau. Vote: 7 – 0
Then, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the 2nd & 3rd readings of Policy JICH, Chemical Health Policy.
Under Items, J. Burns said that he had attended the wonderful Winter Arts Festival and suggested the district publicize its successes. He also announced that he was asked to judge the “Business Plan Competition” for students of Mr. Simpson at AHS. D. Juzba asked Dr. Czajkowski to investigate the “Buddy Program” for special education students. A. Bonavita said he attended the Rosie Robotics “Kick-off” in Manchester, NH, noting that it was very exciting. R. Doering said she wishes there were some way to get high school students to ride the school bus, which would help to alleviate the high school’s traffic flow problem. L. Galarneau explained to viewers that the Committee had attended a workshop prior to the Committee meeting to discuss and hear testimonials regarding whether or not to purchase the new Rediker Student Information Software. She also noted a decline in the enrollment figures at Granger and Phelps schools and hoped that the administration would be looking at class or grade restructuring. S. Reed thanked her colleagues for their support to her as a new member and said that she too would be interested in revisiting a grade restructuring proposal.
Next, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by J. Burns, the Committee voted, via roll call, to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations and litigation. Vote: 7 - 0
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S. Dawson announced that the Committee would return for the sole purpose of adjournment. Time: 7:56 p.m.
S. Dawson reconvened the meeting at 9:39 p.m.
There being no further business, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to adjourn. Vote: 7 - 0 Time: 9:40 p.m.
____________________________________ Alexis Ferioli, Committee Stenographer Roberta G. Doering, Committee Secretary |