Bowe Elementary Physical Education Teacher Kate Moss discusses changing polling locations.
Reminder Publishing screen capture by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — During the public input portion of the School Committee meeting on Sept. 4, two speakers took the time to express changes they would like to see with the new school year starting.
Bowe Elementary Physical Education Teacher Kate Moss was there as an educator to express her concerns regarding the use of the school buildings as polling locations during school hours.
She said, “I find it troubling that student safety appears to be overlooked during some local elections. Regardless of our political affiliations, we can all agree that politics is a highly contentious topic in the United States. Why then twice during the 2024 school year, once in March and again [on Sept. 3] do we have members of the public who are allowed to enter our school building through a door that is propped open the entire day without adequate consideration for the safety protocols we rigorously enforce all other school days.”
Although Moss did say that a Chicopee police officer was stationed in the building, multiple staff members entering the building between 7:45 and 8:10 a.m. did not see the officer as he was seated inside the gymnasium. Those staff members addressed it as a concern.
On a typical day, any visitor to a school building is required to sign in and out at the main office and present photo ID and wear a visitors pass for the duration of stay.
Another safety concern to Moss’ particular building is the parking lot at Bowe Elementary School.
Moss said, “While many of you are aware of the lack of spaces and traffic concerns in that parking lot, this problem was especially pronounced during the recent election which coincided with the first day of kindergarten. The additional traffic made parking for families and staff even more challenging, further complicating an already hectic day.”
Moss said this issue needs to be addressed to ensure both safety and accessibility for everyone involved.
At Bowe Elementary School in spring 2024, 260 residents came to vote and on Sept. 3, 173 residents participated in the election.
Moss said it displaced approximately 120 students each day from their physical education classes for at least three days.
She added, “I believe there are several alternative buildings and locations throughout the city that can serve as more suitable polling stations rather than our public schools. It’s time we seriously consider exploring these other options to avoid further disruption to our students’ education.”
Chicopee Education Association President Ben Eisen also used public input to get a message out and voice concerns. He said he would not get into specifics since that gets into things prohibited from public input.
He explained, “You, as a general governing body, can work with us as well as working with your agents to correct things to make sure that these general concerns are known by the public and it is my hope that we continue to work the changes.”
Eisen first talked about MGL Chapter 150E which provides mandatory subjects of bargaining. These subjects include wages, hours, standards, productivity and performance, and other terms and conditions of employment.
He said, “It is something that as we begin the school year it is important that we all work to our strengths to make the district and city of Chicopee a better place. Our forte as educators, one of them is to educate. Mass. General Law 150E. The CEA feels that it is important to highlight this information to prevent issues that arise when administrators change our aspects related to these mandatory subjects of bargaining. It is our hope that rather than slapping them on the wrist with a demand to bargain to protect our collective rights that instead we can work collaboratively to make positive change in education in Chicopee.”
Eisen alluded to the fact that there have been instances where the CEA has seen hope, where an administration has reached out to them with ideas and works with the CEA before implementing them.
“There have been thoughtful and thorough discussions in our meetings over contentious subjects. It’s not universal though and it is our hope that you know that we can make that change. Whether job descriptions are changed, individuals feel that they are lied to regarding expectations or new expectations are demanded of them. Many educators throughout the district have felt the new school year tarnished with the impression that some administrators are trying to see what they can get away with and we want that to change. We want it to be a more positive experience,” Eisen said.
School Department Human Resources Director Deborah Green also gave a personnel report for August. She said there were 57 total new hires. 25 of them were in Unit A and 20 of those are in Unit E or paraprofessionals.
There were 15 resignations and two retirements. As of Sept. 3, there are 78 active postings for vacant positions including 38 openings for teachers, 17 openings for assistant teachers/paraprofessionals and 20 for teachers and paraprofessionals for special education classrooms.
