Chicopee School Committee approves $810,278 in warrants, enters collective bargaining session

CHICOPEE -- March 19, 2025, Chicopee School Committee approves $810,278 in warrants and hears student warning of $100,000 federal food cut. The committee voted 10-0 with one abstention on each of two bills warrants, $372,512.65 and $437,765.48, at its March 19 regular meeting, with member Ron Dought abstaining on both. Student Advisory Council President Nayira Wilson told the committee that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has cut approximately $1.2 billion nationally from the Local Food for Schools program, costing Chicopee roughly $100,000 and "directly affecting local farmers and, in turn, our school lunches." The committee took no formal action on the food funding concern but students explicitly asked both the School Committee and City Council to explore replacement funding. Human Resources Director Deb Green reported nine new hires and three retirements representing more than 80 combined years of service, including the retirement of Bowie School Principal Sherry Shonowski after nearly 37 years. The committee then adjourned unanimously into executive session to discuss collective bargaining strategy with the Chicopee Education Association covering teachers, administrators, secretaries, and paraprofessionals.