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Agawam School Committee Minutes – June 26, 2007
Chair, R. Cohen, called the meeting to order at 7:02 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
During Citizen’s Speak Time, Deborah Pellegrino of 59 Debra Lane spoke in support of naming the Benjamin Phelps School football field in honor of physical education teacher and coach, Kirk Parker.
Under Superintendent’s Notes, Dr. Czajkowski reported on the following items: · Schools closed on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, smoothly and without incident. · Attendance at annual M.A.S.S. Executive Institute at Mashpee High School from July 17th to July 20, 2007. · Approval of unanimous recommendation by the junior high school’s principal search committee of Norman C. Robbins as the new principal of the AJHS, effective July 1, 2007. · School Safety Meeting to be conducted with administrators, Fire, Police, & emergency management director at the Agawam Public Library on June 27, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. · Annual Administrator’s Retreat will take place from August 20th – 24, 2007, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Agawam Municipal Golf Course. · The first PAC Awards reception took place on June 14, 2007, and was well attended. · The Annual Teacher’s Convocation will take place on Tuesday, September 4, 2007, at 8:30 a.m. in the AJHS auditorium. · The next AEA negotiation sessions will be held on July 10th from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. and on July 12th from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the MTA office in Holyoke.
Next, under Highlights on Education, there were none on the agenda.
Under Unfinished Business, on a motion made by R. Sandlin, 2nd by P. Cavallo & D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve SCR-07-11, Approval of the Father Robert Wagner Memorial Scholarship. Vote: 7 – 0
Next, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by R. Sandlin, the Committee voted to approve SCR-07-12, Approval of Donation of a CNC Milling Machine to AHS Technology Department from G & L Tool. Vote: 7 - 0
Under Business Meeting, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by A. Bonavita & P. Cavallo, the Committee voted to approve the June 12, 2007, regular meeting minutes; the June 19, 2007, Executive Session minutes; and the June 19, 2007, Goals & Objectives Workshop minutes. Vote: 7 – 0
Under Calendar/Correspondence, R. Doering said the Committee had received a thank you note from Patricia Burns for dedicating the AHS Technology Department wing in honor of her father, John T. Burns, and for the wonderful dedication ceremony and reception.
Next, on a motion made by D. Juzba, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee approved the following warrants as read: SW-07-66 in the amount of $81,979.06, SW-07-67 in the amount of $56,495.49, SW-07-68 in the amount of $213,579.82, and SW-07-69 in the amount of $11,189.02. Vote: 7 - 0
Under Reports, the first report of the evening was the Committee’s response to the Superintendent’s Self-evaluation on May 22, 2007. R. Cohen began by commending Dr. Czajkowski for allowing her evaluation to be conducted in public for the past 5 years. He then read comments that were submitted from each Committee member concerning the performance of Dr. Czajkowski during the fifth year of her administration. Noting that there is always room for improvement, Dr. Czajkowski thanked the Committee for their remarks and suggestions. Agawam School Committee Minutes – June 26, 2007 Page 2
The second report was a Personnel Update as presented by John Kane, Assistant Superintendent for Business/HR. In his report, Mr. Kane noted that 15 new teachers had been hired to replace those who had retired or resigned, 2 new secretaries had been hired at the middle school, 4 teachers and 3 teacher assistants had resigned, 3 teachers and 1 administrator had given notice of their intent to retire in June 2008, 1 teacher has requested to extend her maternity leave for another year, and 1 teacher had returned from a medical leave of absence.
Next, under Subcommittee Updates, D. Juzba announced that the Budget/Finance Subcommittee had met on June 12, 2007, to discuss the use of unexpended FY’07 Budget funds to complete projects such as the autistic classroom at the middle school and to purchase textbooks.
Next, under Student Representative's Comments, Kaitlyn Weyant was not present, so no announcements were made.
Under New Business, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by R. Doering, the Committee voted to suspend the rules and to vote on both new business items due to their timeliness. Vote: 7 - 0
Then, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve SCR-07-13, Request to Establish AHS Board Game Club with Advisors. Vote: 7 – 0
Next, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by D. Juzba, R. Doering, & R. Sandlin, the Committee voted to approve SCR-07-14, Approval to Name the Benjamin Phelps School Football Field in honor of Kirk Parker. Vote: 7 - 0
Next, Under Policy Review, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2nd by L. Galarneau, the Committee voted to approve the 2nd & 3rd readings of Policy JICHA, Breath Alcohol Testing Policy. Vote: 7 - 0
Then, R. Sandlin made a motion to approve the 1st reading of Policy JICHA-R, Breath Alcohol Testing Policy Procedures, 2nd by P. Cavallo. During discussion, A. Bonavita suggested rewriting the second bullet under number 5 to read as follows, “The administrator may consider all other evidence to determine whether or not the student is intoxicated or has consumed alcohol. However, a refusal may be considered in determining only the discipline in accordance with the Code of Conduct Student Handbook.”
On a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by R. Sandlin, the Committee voted to amend Policy JICHA-R to state that a refusal will only be used to determine a student’s discipline according to the Code of Conduct Student Handbook. Vote: 7 – 0
Then, on a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by R. Sandlin, the Committee voted to approve the 1st readings of Policy JICHA-R as amended. Vote: 7 - 0
Next, on a motion made by P. Cavallo, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to approve the 2nd & 3rd readings of Policy KHA, Public Solicitations in the Schools. Vote: 7 – 0
Then, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by P. Cavallo & R. Doering, the Committee voted to approve the 2nd & 3rd readings of Policy BHE, Use of Electronic Messaging by School Committee Members. Vote: 7 - 0
Agawam School Committee Minutes – June 26, 2007 Page 3
Under Items, L. Galarneau wished students and staff a great summer. R. Doering asked the administration to investigate the International Baccalaureate Program as another step to offer students beyond Advanced Placement. She also complimented Phelps School for publishing a summer reading list for students. A. Bonavita wished everyone a nice summer vacation. D. Juzba reported that the AHS Rosie Robotics team made it to the semi-finals in the recent WPI competition and praised team members for a terrific job. She also extended her wishes for a safe and happy summer vacation. P. Cavallo echoed his colleague’s sentiments and also congratulated Mr. Sapelli for providing the Committee with an outstanding year-end Professional Development report. He also asked if a special meeting would be scheduled in order to approve the expenditure of unused FY’07 Budget funds. Dr. Czajkowski said she would poll the Committee to determine what day would be best for scheduling a special meeting.
There being no further business, on a motion made by R. Sandlin, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee voted to adjourn. Vote: 7 - 0 Time: 8:00 p.m.
____________________________________ Alexis Ferioli, Committee Stenographer Roberta G. Doering, Committee Secretary |