LONGMEADOW - A stand-off over seating assignments prompted Chairwoman Mary Ryan-Kusiak to adjourn last night's School Committee meeting seconds after it convened.
The dispute came to a head when committee member Laura J. Bertelli sat behind the nameplate of another member, in contradiction of what Ryan-Kusiak termed the standard protocol.
Ryan-Kusiak had warned Bertelli she would end the meeting if Bertelli sat there.
"It was about the refusal of one School Committee member to follow rules that protect the school system, the meetings, and the public's trust," said Ryan-Kusiak.
"It's not about where she sat."
Bertelli disputes Ryan-Kusiak's claim seating assignments have been clear-cut.
"My seating assignment has been changed three times," she said. "I'm sick of playing musical chairs."
Ryan-Kusiak defended her action, saying seating assignments are at the discretion of the chairman. She said Bertelli's assignment had been changed just twice since the spring election.
"I don't really care where anyone sits," said Ryan-Kusiak. "What I care about is the rules being followed."
Ryan-Kusiak refused to refer to Bertelli by name, saying she didn't want to support her tactics for making a point.
When asked, both women said they did not plan to change their positions at the next committee meeting.
"If I have to adjourn the meeting again because one person decides to make a point, then I will," said Ryan-Kusiak. "I don't understand why she didn't try to settle this with a phone call before the meeting."
Bertelli saw it differently.
"She made the decision it was more important for me to sit someplace than it was to have a meeting. I can't see it any other way." You can join Unsolved Mysteries and post your own mysteries or
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