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Agawam School Committee
Special Meeting Minutes
June 3, 2009
Chair, S. Dawson, called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. in the Agawam Junior High School library for the purpose of discussing the FY’10 School Budget & the completion of the Agawam Middle School classrooms.
Present: A. Bonavita, J. Cameron, R. Doering, L. Galarneau, D. Juzba, & S. Reed
Dr. Czajkowski, G. Bares, W. Sapelli, R. Jury, & all Principals/Directors
Town Treasurer, Laurel Placzek
S. Dawson turned the meeting over to Dr. Czajkowski who began by distributing a list of questions and comments for discussion. The first item concerned what funding is needed in order to avoid layoffs for the school department. Dr. Czajkowski noted that at the April 14, 2009, Public Hearing, the Committee approved a level-funded FY’10 Budget in the amount of $33,989,637. S. Dawson then announced that she supports this level-funded FY’10 Budget in the amount of $33,989,637.00 and will recommend it to the City Council with no reductions to that amount. Dr. Czajkowski then distributed a chart showing the three versions of the state budget to date, namely the Governor’s House I, House Budget, & Senate Budget. She explained that in the worst case scenario, the difference to the district in reduced funding would be $329,731. According to her, that amount could be covered by reducing other areas of the budget, such as professional development, without having to layoff teachers.
Next, Dr. Czajkowski explained that the 10 retired-teacher positions will either be filled by transfers with existing staff or would be eliminated due to reduced student enrollment. However, both the .5 Truancy Officer and the 1.0 FTE Substance Abuse Counselor positions will be eliminated and those duties will be assumed by other current staff. For example, at the elementary level, the adjustment counselors will assume the home visits conducted by the Truancy Officer and at the secondary level, Mr. Bares will assume those duties. At the high school level, both adjustment counselors, Ralph Figy and Polina Mihalova, will assume the substance abuse counselors duties. Ms. Wright will be transferred to the Junior High School, where she will become the school adjustment and substance abuse counselor. Dr. Czajkowski then explained the other transfers that would take place within the Guidance Department at the recommendation of the Director of School Counseling, Susan Schoenberger. In addition, Dr. Czajkowski reminded the Committee that as the result of the district receiving a 1 million dollar counseling grant over the next 3 years, the district will be employing other counselors and a social worker who can assist in those duties.
Dr. Czajkowski then explained that only six (6) teaching positions will need to be filled with federal stimulus funds. Of those six (6) positions, four (4) are current employees. The district will need to hire one full-time Math teacher at the junior high school and one full-time ELA teacher at the high school. Also, because of a last minute retirement notice from a veteran teacher, whose salary was already included in the level-funded FY’10 Budget, a ½ time Math teacher and a ½ time ELA teacher will also be hired for the high school, which will help to reduce class size in those two subject areas. Dependent upon final student enrollment figures this summer, the following six (6) elementary positions will be reviewed for possible elimination:
- Grade 1 and 2 at Clark School
- Grade 1 and 4 at Granger School
- Grade K and 2 at Robinson Park School
According to Dr. Czajkowski, even if federal stimulus funding is less than the original figure of $1,565,437.00, there will be sufficient funds to cover the teacher positions to avoid layoffs.
Next, Dr. Czajkowski stated that as a cost savings to the district, curriculum specialist stipends and release time, as it presently is structured, will be eliminated. Although she acknowledges their importance and contribution to the district, a different structure that is based on differentials, such as accountability and responsibilities, will be presented to the AEA for bargaining. Dr. Czajkowski then read a letter that she would like to send to Mr. Janik, AEA president, which notifies the union that the curriculum specialist stipends and release time would be eliminated next year due to budgetary constraints and/or anticipated reductions in state aid. The letter also requests that the AEA meet with the school attorney, Robert Dambrov, to negotiate changes to the provisions of Article 38 in the teacher’s contract.
A lengthy discussion then took place regarding the restricted and unrestricted use of federal stimulus funds. Dr. Czajkowski assured the Committee that once the final federal stimulus funding is awarded to Agawam Public Schools, funding in both restricted and unrestricted amounts will be discussed and utilization of these funds will first be approved by the Committee.
Prior to introducing Town Treasurer, Laurel Placzek, Dr. Czajkowski announced that the date for the Public Hearing on the Town Budget has been changed from June 15, 2009, to July 27, 2009. Mrs. Placzek then explained that until the Town Budget is passed, the Town will be operating on a 1/12th basis, which means essential services only. She also stated that salary increases, which are scheduled to take effect as of July 1, 2009, will be paid and not issued retroactively later on. Dr. Czajkowski then explained what operating on a 1/12th budget would mean for the school department. According to her, there will be a delay in ordering any major expenditure. Also, purchase orders can be prepared by principals and submitted to central office. However, these purchase orders will be held pending passage of the Town Budget.
Because of all these unknown factors, Dr. Czajkowski said that a meeting with the school committee would be scheduled in the summer, most likely in August, after the following occurs:
- The Town Budget receives final approval
- Federal Stimulus Funds are awarded to APS
- Federal Stimulus Funding guidelines are known
- Enrollment projections are more accurate
Next, Dr. Czajkowski reviewed Article 25, Teacher Transfers and Assignments ,of the teacher’s contract noting that under item B, Transfer or Reassignment, #4, “Notice of transfer shall be given to teachers as soon as practicable (and under normal circumstances not later than June 30). Because the state financial crisis is not a normal circumstance, all transfer requests are on hold until everything plays out.
Another lengthy discussion then took place. L. Galarneau asked for clarification that the Mayor is supporting the level-funded FY’10 Budget in the amount of $33,989,637. Both Mayor Dawson and Mrs. Placzek confirmed that statement. She also asked Mr. Bares if he is closely watching the acceptance of School Choice students as class size may increase if some classes are eliminated. Mr. Bares assured her that he is closely monitoring the School Choice requests and noted there are few opening available this year. A. Bonavita asked what the district would do if it receives less than hoped for from the state. Dr. Czajkowski said she would look to cut other items from the stimulus funds. L. Galarneau then asked if the Superintendent was confident that if the district’s funding is decreased, we will be okay and not have to layoff teachers. Dr. Czajkowski said yes.
At the conclusion of discussion Dr. Czajkowski asked for a formal vote of the Committee not to send out layoff notices to the 107 non-professional status teachers.
On a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by A. Bonavita, the Committee, via roll call, voted not to send layoff notices to the 107 non-professional status teachers.
Vote: 7 – 0
Then, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by S. Reed, the Committee, via roll call, voted to rescind their vote to send out layoff notices to the 107 non-professional status teachers, which was made at the May 19, 2009, Special Meeting of the School Committee.
Vote: 6 – 0 – 1 abstention (D. Juzba)
Next, Dr. Czajkowski asked for a formal vote of the Committee to send AEA president, Robert Janik, a letter notifying him of the district’s elimination of stipends and release time for curriculum specialists for the 2009-2010 school year.
On a motion made by R. Doering, 2nd by D. Juzba, the Committee, via roll call, voted to authorize the Superintendent to send AEA president, Robert Janik, a letter notifying him of the district’s elimination of stipends and release time for curriculum specialist for 2009-2010 and a request to negotiate changes to the provisions of Article 38 of the teacher’s contract.
Vote: 7 - 0
Next, discussion took place regarding the completion of the middle school classrooms. Mrs. Placzek explained the following:
- In 2006, the Committee appropriated $135,000 to complete the middle school classrooms
- In 2007, the Committee appropriated $100,000 from its Before & After School money for the middle school classrooms
- To date, $204,449.61 has been expended from the total of $235,000
- A balance of $30,550.61 remains in the school department’s middle school classroom account
- The Town appropriated a total of $271,081.61 to complete the middle school classrooms
- Total funds available to complete the middle school classrooms is $301,632.22 ($271,081.61 – Town side)
(+ 30,550.61 – School dept.)
($301,632.22 )
- Mr. Albro has been instructed to go-out-to-bid to complete the middle school classrooms
Another lengthy question and answer session took place during which Mrs. Placzek confirmed that approximately $301,632 is earmarked in a special account for the middle school classroom project. Dr. Czajkowski stated that any more information that she receives regarding funding will be communicated to the Committee as soon as she receives it via e-mail. She also announced that all principals and directors will be attending the July 27, 2009, Public Hearing on the Town Budget.
Prior to adjournment, Dr. Czajkowski thanked Mayor Dawson and Mrs. Placzek for all their efforts on behalf of the school department. She noted how fortunate we are as a school department not to be sending out layoff notices to our teachers or any staff, as most surrounding communities have already done. In addition, she will send a letter out to all staff notifying them that there will not be any layoffs and reminding them of how lucky we are to work in a community that supports education and to have a school committee and mayor who put children first.
There being no further discussion, on a motion made by A. Bonavita, 2nd by, S. Reed, the special meeting was adjourned.
Vote: 7 - 0
Time: 6:03 p.m.
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Alexis Ferioli Diane Juzba
Administrative Assistant to the School Committee Committee Secretary |