At the Jan. 8 organizational meeting, the Chicopee School Committee approved three warrants with a combined total of $4,464,043 and took several administrative and policy actions before adjourning into executive session for collective bargaining.

School business staff read three warrants and their component totals: warrant S 122-024 for $1,461,468.95 (part of the first group), a second warrant totaling $486,777.80, and a third warrant totaling $2,515,797.20. The combined total of the three warrants was recorded as $4,464,043.

The committee took separate roll-call votes on each warrant. The first warrant passed on a roll call recorded as 11 yes, 0 no. The second warrant passed with 10 yes and 1 abstention (Miss Russo). The third warrant passed with 10 yes and 1 abstention (Mister Dowd). The committee then moved on to other agenda items.

Under policy business, the committee approved the second reading of a broad set of policies (listed in the meeting record) by roll call, 11–0. One substantive question was raised by Trustee Scofield about the English learners policy (I-12). Scofield noted the draft language removed kindergarten from the grades listed for direct services; Miss Belleville of the curriculum and instruction department said the change follows guidance from DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education), which indicates direct services in kindergarten are not required though districts may still support English learners in kindergarten through rich language-immersion or classroom practices.

The committee approved a memorandum of agreement between the Chicopee Education Association and the Chicopee School Committee regarding special education progress reports; the motion carried unanimously. The committee also approved the 2025 summer meeting schedule (reducing to one monthly meeting in summer at the same 7 p.m. hour and location) and the 2025–26 meeting schedule, both by unanimous voice vote.

Finally, the committee voted to move into executive session under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 30A, section 21(a)(3) and (7) to discuss collective bargaining — the motion named bargaining with the Chicopee Education Association and Unit D (secretaries and clerks) — and announced it would not return to open session. A roll call on the motion to enter executive session recorded 11 yes votes.