CHICOPEE –  In Chicopee Public School’s first school committee meeting of the year, committee member Michael Pise announced that after decades of serving the committee, he’d be leaving for a position in the mayor’s office.

Pise, who will become the newly-elected Mayor John Vieau’s chief of staff, made the announcement during the Jan. 8 meeting.

“I would like to announce that I'm going to be transitioning in the city from rep school committee at large to working in the mayor’s office,” he said. “And as a result of this transition I will no longer be able to serve in the school committee, so I’ll be moving on.”

When he was first elected to the committee years ago, Pise said that he’d been told to read a book called “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” which described “how to work with others.”

He then went on to quote a passage from the book, which states, “They say you learn in kindergarten your very first interaction with other people is to share everything, to play fair, don’t hit people, put things back where you found them, clean up your own mess, don’t take things that aren’t yours, say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody, wash your hands before you eat, warm cookies and cold milk are very good for you, live a balanced life, learn some, drink some, draw, paint, sing, play and do some work every day. Take a nap in the afternoon, and when you go out into the world watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.”

This, he said, has held true for his time serving on the committee. “I think as a board, throughout the years, we’ve always stuck together. Whether it’s dealing with tragedies or dealing with difficulties like the passing of Mr. Curry, the sudden death of Jim Stefanik, the death of our beloved math teacher at Chicopee High Krista Cardwell,” he recalled. “And all too many students who have passed away in my time on this board. We’ve always stuck together to help each other through those difficult times.”

However, the group didn’t only stick together through tragedies, he noted. Pise said the committee had also celebrated an array of joyful occasions and events during his time.

“Whether it be graduations, some of the fantastic plays I’ve seen in the schools throughout the years, our sports competitions, and also when we attain level one our schools advance,” he said.

Pise told his fellow school committee members he believed they’d done a great job, and hoped to see them continue to stick together even after his departure from the group.

His fellow committee members both congratulated and reflected on his departure, stating that his presence on the committee would be one that could not be replaced.

“I, for one, am going to miss Michael’s commentary and directions and leadership on this board for well over 20 years,” said committee member Chester Szetela. “I think that’s going to be sorely missed and that’s going to be a void, [that] will hopefully be filled by somebody who’s as capable as Michael.”

Member David Barsalou said it had “been a pleasure” working with Pise, and Vieau was lucky to have Pise by his side. “Our new mayor is very lucky to have you at his side because it’s going to be a nice partnership. I can almost guarantee it,” he said to Pise. He then turned to Vieau and said, “He’s wonderful, super guy, the best of the best. Congratulations to both of you.”

Vieau then addressed the committee, stating that choosing a chief of staff was not an easy decision for him, especially when he was aware of the value Pise added to the school committee.

“It took me a really long time to figure out who was going to be that right person and right fit for the job, and knowing the value that Mike brings to this committee was something that I had to take into consideration when I was making that decision,” Vieau said. “Knowing that he wouldn’t be here anymore. Knowing how much he loved the City of Chicopee and what it would mean for him to serve in this capacity.”

However, Vieau said he knew he was blessed to have Pise on his staff and to be able to work with him daily.

“I’m excited for this. Mike, I know that we’re going to be a great team and I really appreciate you and the commitment you’re making to the City of Chicopee, not just on the school committee what you’ve done the 30 years, but taking on this full time role in my office,” Vieau said. “I’m looking forward to working with you each and every day because I know together we can make a difference.”

The mayor then went on to address the committee as a whole, stating that he wanted the “district to be second to none.” He said, “That’s my goal.”

He continued, “We have a pretty incredible school district and it’s my understanding that other districts look at our model because we do things right, and we’re going to continue to do them and always putting the district first. So I’m excited to be the chairperson, I’m excited to work with each and every one of you, so thank you for having me.”