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Agawam School Committee Minutes – March 25, 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, Rick Cormier of 103 Christopher Lane, FH, asked the administration to consider staggering parent/teacher conferences for elementary and secondary schools, so that parents who have children at more than one level can attend all parent/teacher conferences rather than choosing which they can attend.
Under Superintendent’s Notes, Dr. Czajkowski reported on the following items: · Site visit to school of candidate for principal position at Phelps School on March 27th with Mr. Sapelli · Robin Fernandes, recommended candidate for Director of Early Childhood position, will be introduced to the Committee at the April 8, 2008, meeting · Implementation of the new high school traffic pattern has been postponed until March 31, 2008, the anticipated delivery date for sign posts · Letter from junior high school parent praising the recent Family Math Night · Congratulations to the Agawam Middle School for receiving the Outstanding Recycler of the Year award. An awards breakfast will be held on April 18th at the Delaney House. · Announcement that the next DWST meeting will take place on April 4th at 7:30 a.m. in the junior high school cafeteria · Congratulations to seven AHS students for receiving The Republican newspaper’s “Student Achievers in Math, Science, and Technology” award · Attendance at the March 14th Robotics Competition at the Hartford Convention Center with Mr. Sapelli, Mr. Lemanski, and Mrs. Schoenberger. Congratulations to the AHS Rosie Robotics team for their amazing performance
Under Highlights on Education, Mathematics Secondary Curriculum Specialist, Nancy Farrell, was joined by Dr. Czajkowski, administration, and the Committee in a presentation of certificates to 20 students who attained perfect MCAS scores on the spring 2007 MCAS test.
Under Unfinished Business, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by A. Bonavita, the Committee voted to approve SCR-08-08, Approval of AHS Band Trip to Virginia Beach, VA from April 17 – 21, 2008. Vote: 7 – 0
On a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by J. Burns, the Committee voted to approve SCR-08-09, Approval of Waste Management Environmental Scholarship. Vote: 7 – 0
Under Business Meeting, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by R. Doering,, the Committee voted to approve the March 11, 2008, regular meeting and Executive Session minutes. Vote: 7 – 0
On a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by A. Bonavita, the Committee voted to approve the February 26, 2008, Executive Session minutes. Vote: 7 – 0
On a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to approve the March 4, 2008, FY’09 School Budget Workshop minutes. Vote: 7 - 0
Under Calendar/Correspondence, R. Doering said she had nothing to report.
Agawam School Committee Minutes – March 25, 2008 Page 2
Then, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the following warrants as read: SW-08-45 in the amount of $81,507.47, SW-08-46 in the amount of $22,927.98, and SW-08-47 in the amount of $297,803.04. Vote: 7 - 0
Under Reports, first report of the evening was a Financial/Personnel Update as presented by Assistant Superintendent for Business/HR, John Kane. In his Personnel report, Mr. Kane noted that one teacher had notified the district of his intent to retire in June 2008, one teacher had notified the district of her intent to retire in June 2009, one teacher had returned from maternity leave, one teacher was granted maternity leave, one teacher assistant was granted medical leave, and one school psychologist had resigned. In his Financial report, Mr. Kane estimated that, to date, a FY’08 Budget surplus in the amount of $247,397.00.
The second report of the evening was a presentation of the proposed FY’09 Budget as presented by Dr. Czajkowski, Mr. Sapelli, Mr. Kane, and Mrs. Jury. In her PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Czajkowski reviewed the following items: - Budget Timeline
- 2008-2009 District Goals
- FY’09 Budget Highlights
- FY’09 Budget Fixed Costs
- Proposed FY’09 School Budget Breakdown
- Budget Summary by Cost Center
During discussion, A. Bonavita said he was pleased that the State Senate had approved House Bill 4595, which is a resolution concerning the amount of Chapter 70 aid to be paid to municipalities. Mr. Kane explained that this amount is consistent with the Governor’s FY’09 Budget Proposal and is a reliable estimate for local municipalities to plan their budgets, noting that Agawam will receive $16,486,547.00. A. Bonavita said he was pleased with the FY’09 Budget proclaiming it educationally sound and fiscally responsible.
Next, under Subcommittee Updates, L. Galarneau said that the Policy Subcommittee was bringing forward four policies on the evening’s agenda for a first reading.
Under Student Representative's Comments, Kaitlyn announced the following: - The critical need to repair and paint the boy’s and girl’s bathrooms in the rotunda area of the senior high school
- Successful National Honor Society Induction ceremony
- Freshman and sophomore participation in MCAS testing on March 25, 26, 27, 2008
- Appreciation of water and crackers as a snack for those taking the MCAS test
Under New Business, there was none on the agenda.
Next, under Policy Review, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the 1st reading of Policy BIA, New School Committee Member Orientation. Vote: 7 – 0
On a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by L. Galarneau, the Committee voted to approve the 1st reading of Policy JGCBA, Automated External Defibrillators (AED). Vote: 7 – 0
Then, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the 1st reading of Policy KBBA, Non-Custodial Parents Rights. Vote: 7 – 0
Next, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by J. Burns, the Committee voted to approve the 1st reading of Policy IJNDB-E2, Employee User Agreement for Participation in the School Website Management System. Vote: 7 - 0 Agawam School Committee Minutes – March 25, 2008 Page 3
Under Items, S. Dawson began by reminding her colleagues to return their legal counsel recommendation form to Mrs. Ferioli before leaving. J. Burns congratulated the Athletic department for a terrific Winter Athletics Awards ceremony and the junior high school’s “Family Math Night, proclaiming it the best he has ever seen. D. Juzba reminded everyone that the Rosie Robotics team would be competing this weekend at Boston University and wished the team good luck. A. Bonavita thanked Dr. Czajkowski, her administrative team, and school council members for their great job on the FY’09 School Budget. R. Doering congratulated Kaitlyn for her recent induction into the National Honor Society. L. Galarneau congratulated Mr. Sapelli for receiving the “Golden Stripes” hockey award. She also asked that Dr. Czajkowski investigate whether a dish machine purchased 10-years-ago and never used could be sold so some of the purchase price could be recouped. S. Reed said that the Committee’s current minutes were not on the website and asked that Dr. Czajkowski check as to the reason why. She also asked that Dr. Czajkowski look into staggering parent/teacher conferences. Dr. Czajkowski said she would discuss the topic with her administrators at their next meeting on Friday, March 28th. Dr. Czajkowski also congratulated Mr. Sapelli on being the recipient of the Golden Stripes Award and said she had spoken with the Director of the MIAA, who spoke highly of Mr. Sapelli and his dedication to the sport of hockey.
There being no further business, on a motion made by S. Reed, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to adjourn. Vote: 7 - 0 Time: 8:20 p.m.
____________________________________ Alexis Ferioli, Committee Stenographer Roberta G. Doering, Committee Secretary |