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Date: 6/7/2022
CHICOPEE – As Chicopee prepares for an extensive search for a permanent superintendent, the School Committee approved a one-year contract for Interim Superintendent Alvin Morton during their June 1 meeting.
The move changes Morton’s title from acting superintendent to interim superintendent. Morton assumed leadership of the school district after former Superintendent Lynn Clark’s arrest led to her removal on April 22.
Morton’s new contract will last throughout the 2022-2023 school year as Chicopee endures its superintendent search. The committee unanimously approved the contract offer in a vote.
The School Committee also approved Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) as the body that will initiate the search process. Previously, representatives of MASC presented an informational presentation for the committee during their May 18 meeting.
Ward 7 School Committee member Donald Lamothe suggested the organization after reviewing data extensively. Based on his experiences in the committee, Lamothe said MASC would be more effective partners than the previous entity the committee utilized, the New England School Development Council (NESDEC).
“In the past we went with NESDEC one time and MASC another. I felt personally that we had much better service out of MASC because it was more local and more reasonable in price,” said Lamothe.
Ward 1 School Committee member Timothy Wagner also expressed support for MASC. “They are a great group that does a lot of good work. I think we made the right choice going with them,” said Wagner.
School Committee At-Large member Susan Lopes expressed appreciation for aid the Mayor’s Chief of Staff Michael Pise provided during the selection process. Pise served on the School Committee for 30 years prior to working for Mayor John Vieau.
The School Committee approved MASC in a unanimous vote.
Budget Approval
After discussing the matter in three subcommittee meetings, the School Committee approved the district’s $104,813,451 budget. Director of Budget and Finance John Miarecki presented an overview of the district’s work before the committee’s vote.
Miarecki said the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) budget allows the district to include a new contract for transportation services, as well as the hiring of additional teachers, paraprofessionals and staff members for schools.
Lamothe expressed support for the budget. “I’ve been with the School Committee for a little over 20 years, and this is the first budget that we got that we’re comfortable with…It’s going to help us educate more kids in a better manner,” said Lamothe, who cited the budget’s 2 percent cushion for unexpected expenses.
The School Committee approved the budget in a 10-1 vote. Vieau served as the only opposing vote. He explained that the city’s usual commitment of $1.25 million in addition to the net school budget was not needed for this year’s budget.
“We think that the school district at this particular time can manage without the city’s commitment of that $1.25 million,” said Vieau.
The School Committee will meet again on June 15.