| Agawam School Committee Minutes – March 11, 2008
Chair, S. Dawson, called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 representative 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: · Reminder that the Winter Athletic Recognition Night will take place on March 13th at 5:30 p.m. at the high school gymnasium; Family Math Night will take place on March 13th at 6:30 p.m. in the junior high cafeteria; and the DWST will meet on March 14th at 7:30 a.m,. in the middle school library. · Announcement that Kindergarten Parent Information Night will take place on March 12th at 6:30 p.m. at Phelps School. Kindergarten screening will take place on March 18th & 19th at Phelps School; March 27th & 28th at Robinson; April 3rd & 4th at Granger; and April 7th & 8th at Clark School · Congratulations to the administration and staff of the ECC who recently received NAEYC accreditation. · Training for teachers in the new computer software grading system, AP Web Teacher & Grade Quick, will take place beginning in March with a refresher workshop on September 2, 2008. · Congratulations to the 2008 Excellence in Teaching Award winners Tara Mazzariello (1st year teacher), Patricia LeBlanc, William Quinn, Tammy Watson, & Darlene Woolson. The awards banquet will take place on May 8th at 5:00 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. School committee members wishing to attend must contact Mrs. Ferioli by April 18th, so that she may purchase tickets for the event. · Tuesday, April 29th, is MASC “Day on the Hill” from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Committee members wishing to attend must notify Mrs. Ferioli by March 20th so she may submit a purchase order. · Attendance at the junior high school’s Teaming Committee meeting on March 11th during which it was decided that the 2008-2009 school year will be devoted to professional development with implementation of the teaming model scheduled for the 2009-2010 school year. The teaming committee will make a formal presentation to the Committee at the June 10th meeting. · Announcement that a formal presentation of the proposed FY’09 School Budget will take place at the Committee’s March 25th meeting and the Public Hearing on the FY’09 Budget will take place on April 8th at 6:30 p.m. prior to the school committee meeting.
Under Highlights on Education, Special Services Supervisor, Theresa Urbinati, was joined by members of the PBIS teams from Granger, Robinson Park, and the Agawam Middle School in a presentation of the district’s school-wide Positive Behavior Intervention & Support program. Beginning with a Channel 22 television news feature about the program at Robinson Park School, the PowerPoint presentation included logic for the PBIS program, core features, commitment and implementation, measurable benefits for students and staff, and individual building themes.
Under Unfinished Business, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by A. Bonavita, the Committee voted to approve SCR-08-06, Acceptance of $1,500 Donation to Rosie Robotics from Hartford Steam Boiler. Vote: 7 – 0
On a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by J. Burns, the Committee voted to approve SCR-08-07, Acceptance of $600 Donation to Rosie Robotics from the Coe Family Fund. Vote: 7 – 0
Under Business Meeting, on a motion made by S. Reed, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the February 26, 2008, regular meeting and workshop minutes. Vote: 7 - 0
Under Calendar/Correspondence, R. Doering read an announcement from the Mass. School Counselor’s Association stating that Dr. Czajkowski had been named “Administrator of the Year” and will receive her award at the MASCA Spring Conference in Hyannis on April 11, 2008.
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Then, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee, via roll call, voted to approve the following warrants as read: SW-08-42 in the amount of $63,982.73, SW-08-43 in the amount of $128,024.11, and SW-08-44 in the amount of $230,357.55. Also approved was payroll warrant PW-08-03 in the amount of $2,086,081.18. Vote: 7 - 0
Under Reports, the only scheduled report of the evening was a Special Services Program Update as present by Director of Special Services, Dr. John Provost, who began his presentation by giving the Committee a three-question quiz, which demonstrated how we confuse myths with facts. Dr. Provost then shared the following information as to how the district goes about “Achieving Evidence-Based Practice:” - What is Evidence-Based Practice?
- Evidence-Based Reading Intervention
- Evidence-Based Interventions for Autism
- Evidence-Based Behavioral Interventions
- Contributing to the Knowledge Base
At the end of his informative PowerPoint presentation, a lengthy question and answer session ensued.
Next, under Subcommittee Updates, L. Galarneau reported that the Policy Subcommittee had met earlier that evening at 6:00 p.m. and would be bringing forward four policies for a 1st reading at the next meeting. She also said a suggestion had been made that a mini-policy/protocol handbook be developed for all Committee members as a quick reference tool. Next, D. Juzba reported that the Budget/Finance Subcommittee had met on March 10th with the City Council’s School Budget Subcommittee to review the proposed FY’09 School Budget. According to Mrs. Juzba, the meeting was very productive and the city councilors were very supportive recommending that the 6.02% budget be presented.
Under Student Representative's Comments, Kaitlyn announced the following: - A successful Social Studies National Honor Society Induction
- SAT’s will be administered on March 15th at 7 a.m. at AHS
- “Mr. Agawam” competition will take place on March 13th in the AHS auditorium
- Congratulations to the AHS Hockey Team who came in 2nd place in the WMASS finals
- Spring sports tryouts will take place on March 17th
- Spanish and French 4 Honors students are going to the junior high school to share what they know with the younger students
Under New Business, SCR-08-08, Approval of AHS Band Trip to Virginia Beach, VA from April 17-21, 2008, and & SCR-08-09, Approval of Waste Management Environmental Scholarship, were moved to the March 25, 2008, meeting where they will appear under Unfinished Business.
Under Items, R. Doering asked why the Fire, DPW, & Building Maintenance departments were not represented at the recent School Safety Exercise. Dr. Czajkowski said that the Mayor had addressed that issue with those departments. She also noted how positive the parent conferences were at the Agawam Middle School. S. Reed said she was concerned to read in the AJHS school council minutes that some of the classroom doors do not lock. Dr. Czajkowski said she had addressed the problem with Mr. Albro who will ensure the doors are fixed or keys are made for the doors that do lock. She also said she had recently toured the ECC with Dr. Czajkowski and was dismayed that the facility was not more welcoming in its décor. S. Dawson said that Mr. Albro will have his crew repaint the ECC with bright, cheerful colors this August 2008. D. Juzba reminded her colleagues that the Rosie Robotics team would be competing at the Hartford Convention Center on March 13th, 14th, and 15, 2008. She also congratulated the AHS Hockey Team who made it to the finals for the first time in 20 years. J. Burns expressed his dismay that the US Dept. of Defense had recently awarded a contract to a European company rather than a US firm and asked that the public contact their senators and legislators urging them to void the contract, so that our students will have future employment. He also announced that the Rosie Robotics team had won four trophies in the past 3 weeks. A. Bonavita said he was pleased to read Dr. Czajkowski’s letter to the City Council president requesting that
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an alternative location be considered for Council and School Committee meetings so that students may use the middle school’s stage and auditorium for the purpose it was designed. He also noted how the traffic flow problem at the high school has not improved stating it is horrendous. Dr. Czajkowski reminded him that the new traffic flow pattern will go into effect on March 24th and we should give it a chance to see if it can help to alleviate the problem.
Next, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by S. Reed, the Committee, via roll call, voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations. Vote: 7 – 0 Time: 9:10 p.m.
S. Dawson announced that the Committee would reconvene for the sole purpose of adjournment.
S. Dawson reconvened the meeting at 9:51 p.m.
There being no further business, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by S. Reed, the Committee voted to adjourn. Vote: 7 - 0 Time: 9:52 p.m.
____________________________________ Alexis Ferioli, Committee Stenographer Roberta G. Doering, Committee Secretary |