Chicopee School Committee Approves $1.7 Million in Warrants, Advances Sweeping Policy Revisions

CHICOPEE — June 2, 2025 — Chicopee School Committee approves $1.7 million in bills warrants and advances roughly 50 student policy revisions on first reading. The committee voted 11-0, with member Jay Dowd abstaining, on each of two bills warrants — S052325 for $692,296.54 and S053025 for $1,053,310 — covering expenses from special education ($424,181) to food services ($204,261) at its June 2 regular meeting. Eight school improvement plans for the 2025-26 year were approved 12-0. Public input ran for 30 minutes as educators and ESPs demanded a livable wage; ESP Dori Acevedo told the committee that six colleagues have been selling blood plasma at a West Springfield facility twice a week to supplement their income, and ESP Linda Mano detailed that a proposed 3 percent raise would add just $41.07 to her biweekly paycheck. Ben Eisen, speaking for the Chicopee Education Association, warned that "more amazing educators will be fleeing Chicopee for better districts" if compensation is not addressed. Mayor View also announced that school bus camera enforcement legislation — citing 700 illegal passings in Peabody and 1,100 in Salem in the first six weeks of last school year — was placed before the City Council the following day.