Minutes of November 13, 2023 Board of Education Meeting - Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District

Members Present

Dr. Archer
Mrs. Austin
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Ms. McKenney
Mr. Zogbhy
Mr. Al-Mudamgha (Student Board Member)

Administration Present

Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator

Others in attendance: Liya Luk, Nikki Park, Jodi Schwedes, Mike Fitzpatrick, Jane Beigel, and Rabbi Irvin Beigel.

Mr. Gross called the Board Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the gymnasium at Moses Dewitt Elementary School.

Presentation, Mrs. Sylvester, Principal, Moses DeWitt

Mrs. Sylvester welcomed the Board to Moses DeWitt Elementary School and shared a presentation which covered Moses DeWitt at a glance. The presentation included how ELL students were welcomed to the building, how the staff reviewed and are responding to the School Climate Survey data, examples of initiatives to enhance a Culture of Wellness, Curriculum, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support including framework, goals and behind the scenes. Lastly, Mrs. Sylvester reviewed the PST referral process. (See Supplemental Minutes).

Red Ram Recognition

During Red Ram Recognition, Mr. Gross recognized, honored and thanked all Veterans for serving our country. In addition, he recognized the following students who signed Letters of Intent to play division one or two athletics in college:

- Brooke Bort – Lacrosse, Binghamton University
- Sam Brazell – Lacrosse, Providence University
- Alex Carolin – Lacrosse, Saint Leo University
- Carson Carona – Lacrosse, Florida Southern University
- Hudson Groat – Track, Davidson College
- Nicolette Militi – Track, Loyola – Maryland
- Nick Miller – Lacrosse, LeMoyne College
- Caroline Stone – Lacrosse, Bryant University

Mr. Gross recognized the Section III fall sports teams who won Section Championships: Boys Golf, Girls Swimming and Diving, Boys Volleyball and Girls Volleyball. In addition, he congratulated Mona Farah for winning the Tennis section title and wished the Boys Volleyball team good luck as they will be competing this weekend for the state title.

Lastly, Mr. Gross recognized that November is National Native American Heritage Month and shared resources that are available for educational purposes. He wished all Happy Thanksgiving.

(See Supplemental Minutes)

Community Comment Time

Mr. Gross asked for a motion to allow non-agenda items to be commented on during the first Community Comment Time.

Mr. Zoghby moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the motion to allow non-agenda items to be commented on during the first Community Comment Time.

Motion carried. (9-0-0)

Nikki Park commented on staff safety, mental health, and concerns of the use of teaching assistants and one to one aides at the high school.

Jane Beigel commented on the October 7 terrorist attack. She read portions of a letter she sent to Dr. Smith as well as a portion of Dr. Smith’s response to the community following the attack. She asked for Dr. Smith to state his message more accurately. Mr. Gross acknowledged the letter sent by Rabbi and Mrs. Beigel.

Rabbi Irvin Beigel commented on the District’s response to the October 7 attack. He said he was looking for moral clarity from the District and is concerned about a rise in antisemitism in schools.

Approve Consent Agenda

Mrs. Austin moved and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

- Approve Superintendent’s Personnel recommendations and Substitute Appointments
- Accept CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Minutes of the October 30, 2023 Meeting

Motion carried. (9-0-0).

Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – November 13, 2023

INSTRUCTIONAL

Appointments

Name and position: Serena Wadsworth, School Counselor, four-year probationary appointment, replacing L. Bond

- Location: High School
- Salary: $43,359.08, prorated (B11+M-30)
- Certification: Provisional School Counselor
- Effective: December 18, 2023

Name and position: Veronica Penoyer, School Nurse, 52-week probationary appointment, replacing D. Becker

- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $31,850.46 (B5), prorated
- Certification: NYS Registered Nurse
- Effective: November 27, 2023

Change in Status – 2023-2024 School Year

Name, position, location, change and effective date:

- Stacey Piscitell, School Nurse, Jamesville Elementary School, from .6 to 1.0 FTE, December 1, 2023, replacing S. Kimber

Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Winter Coaching – 2023-2024

Name, assignment and stipend:

- Brendon Schunck, JV Boys Basketball Coach, Volunteer, $0

Extra Duty Assignment – Intramurals – Middle School – 2023-2024 School Year

Name, assignment and stipend:

- Ghada Abu-Ramadan, Session 1 Intramural Coach Substitute, $22.00
- Brae Fuller, Session 1 Intramural Coach, $286.00
- Ken Kline, Session 1 Intramural Coach, $330.00

Request for Retirement

Name, assignment, location, and effective date:

- Solace Amankwah, Second Language Teacher, High School, June 30, 2024

NONINSTRUCTIONAL

Appointments

Name, position, location, salary and effective date:

- Kaitlin Haskell, School Secretary I, 52-week provisional appointment, Middle School, $17.75/hr., November 14, 2023, replacing G. Natale
- Viktor Pechenyi, Custodial Worker I, 52-week probationary appointment, Custodial Dept., $18.85/hr., November 14, 2023, replacing M. Kenyon
- Donald Pooler, Substitute Bus Driver, Transportation, $25.50/hr., November 14, 2023
- Marilyn Taggart, Teacher Aide, 52-week probationary appointment, Middle School, $15.20/hr., November 14, 2023, replacing S. Mellan

Change in Status – 2023-2024 School Year

Name, location, change and effective date:

- Daryl Baker, Custodial Department, Custodial Worker 1 to Custodian I, 52-week provisional appointment, $23.72/hr., November 14, 2023, replacing M. Williams

Approve Resolution Authorizing Participation in Cooperative Energy Purchasing Service (NYSMEC) for Electricity

Mrs. DeForest moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the motion to approve the following Resolution Authorizing Participation in Cooperative Energy Purchasing Service (NYSMEC) for Electricity:

WHEREAS, Article 5-G of the New York State General Municipal Law authorizes municipal corporations to enter into cooperative agreements for the performance or exercise of services, functions, powers or activities on a cooperative or contract basis among themselves or one for the other, and

WHEREAS, Section 119-n of the General Municipal Law defines the term “municipal corporation” for the purposes of Article 5-G as a county outside the city of New York, a city, a town, a village, a board of cooperative educational services, a fire district or a school district; and

WHEREAS, Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Participant”) is a “municipal corporation” as defined above; and

WHEREAS, this Board wishes for this municipal corporation to become or remain a Participant pursuant to the Municipal Cooperation Agreement For Energy Purchasing Services dated the 1st day of May 2005 (the “Agreement”), among municipal corporations collectively identified as the New York School and Municipal Energy Consortium (“NYSMEC”) upon the terms of the Agreement and further wishes to authorize participation as an energy consumer as specified below.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board hereby determines that it is in the interests of the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District to participate in the NYSMEC, and authorizes and directs Brian Bartlett, Clerk of the Board to sign the Agreement/and or the Billing Schedule and Agreement for electricity on its behalf; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board authorizes the Administrative Participant (as defined in the Agreement) to prepare, advertise, disseminate and open bids pursuant to the General Municipal Law and to award, execute and deliver binding contracts on behalf of this Board for the purchase of electricity delivered to the delivery point of the local utility distribution company for the Participant’s facility or facilities, on a firm basis, for this Participant to the lowest responsible bidder as is determined by the Administrative Participant at a price for such commodity electricity not to exceed $.0845 cents per kWh for a term of at least one year and no more than three years commencing May 1, 2024, and other terms and conditions, all as may be determined by the Administrative Participant, or to reject any or all such bids; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Participant agrees to advertise said bid as may be directed by the Administrative Participant; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers and employees of this Participant are authorized to execute such other confirming agreements, certificates and other documents and take such other actions as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent of this resolution.

This Resolution shall take effect immediately. (See Supplemental Minutes)

Motion carried. (9-0-0).

Approve Resolution Authorizing Participation in Cooperative Energy Purchasing Service (NYSMEC) for Natural Gas

Mr. Baxter moved and Mrs. McKenney seconded the motion to approve the following Resolution Authorizing Participation in Cooperative Energy Purchasing Service (NYSMEC) for Natural Gas:

WHEREAS, Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Participant”) is a “municipal corporation” as defined above; and

WHEREAS, this Board wishes for this municipal corporation to become or remain a Participant pursuant to the Municipal Cooperation Agreement For Energy Purchasing Services dated the 1st day of May, 2005 (the “Agreement”), among municipal corporations collectively identified as the New York School and Municipal Energy Consortium (“NYSMEC”) upon the terms of the Agreement and further wishes to authorize participation as an energy consumer as specified below.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board hereby determines that it is in the interests of the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District to participate in the NYSMEC, and authorizes and directs Brian Bartlett, Clerk of the Board, to sign the Agreement/and or the Billing Schedule and Agreement for natural gas on its behalf; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board authorizes the Administrative Participant (as defined in the Agreement) to prepare, advertise, disseminate and open bids pursuant to the General Municipal Law and to award, execute and deliver binding contracts on behalf of this Board for the purchase of natural gas delivered to the city gate of the local utility distribution company for the Participant’s facility or facilities, on a firm basis, for this Participant to the lowest responsible bidder as is determined by the Administrative Participant at a price for such commodity natural gas not to exceed $.656 cents per therm for a term of at least one year and no more than three years commencing May 1, 2024, and other terms and conditions, all as may be determined by the Administrative Participant, or to reject any or all such bids; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Participant agrees to advertise said bid as may be directed by the Administrative Participant; and

This Resolution shall take effect immediately. (See Supplemental Minutes)

Motion carried. (9-0-0)

Potential Consideration for Future Meetings

Mr. Gross stated the Board of Education Public Forum will be discussed later in the meeting.

Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith

Dr. Smith provided the Board with a construction update including before and after pictures of the High School Social Studies office, locker room, bathrooms and Lyndon softball fields. Dr. Smith updated the Board on the milk carton shortage which has not impacted J-D yet. He said we are still receiving milk in cartons and that Senator Schumer is calling on the Food and Drug Administration to intervene. He said that Ms. Vedsted has ordered cups with lids ahead of time so that we will be able to pour milk into cups when needed. He said he believes the shortage will be a relatively short duration. Lastly, Dr. Smith shared upcoming events.

Board President’s Report

Mr. Gross reported that he sent out an email asking for available times for a book study. He also reported on the NYSSBA Advocacy Program and a couple of the propositions that NYSSBA has been working on. The first proposition puts small city school districts on similar ground as suburban districts and another proposition has been how pilot agreements are treated in terms of property taxes. He said this might be of interest going forward with the revitalization of the former Shoppingtown Mall. He said these are just two of many NYSSBA propositions that you can read about. Lastly, Mr. Gross briefly reviewed the Commissioner’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Graduation Requirements which were just released.

Student Board Member Report, Mr. Al-Mudamgha

Mr. Al-Mudamgha provided a report to the Board which he congratulated the student athletes who signed letters of intent, as well as the sports teams and individuals for their successes this fall sports season. Mr. Al-Mudamgha reported on the monthly student government meeting and the topics discussed including the positive feedback of gender neutral bathrooms, the need for more diverse staff, and more student recognition for arts and academic achievements. He did not have any updates regarding the firewall but is meeting with the Director of Technology soon. Lastly, Mr. Al-Mudamgha wanted to let the Board know of a student complaint about the late bus schedule. The student making the complaint has set up a meeting with the transportation director.

(See Supplemental Minutes)

Community Comment Time #2

There were no comments.

Unfinished and Continuing Business

Mr. Gross said the Public Forum originally scheduled for Thursday was postponed due to a conflicting event. It was agreed that January is a good time to reschedule it and he will work with Dr. Smith to come up with two or three dates to choose from. He asked for ideas for topics and some ideas were student mental health and a possible community partnership with the Q Center at ACR Health to discuss health sexuality at different developmental stages. Lastly, Mr. Gross reminded the Board the second Public Forum will take place in spring 2024, and the Board Retreat will take place on December 14 and will cover the Board self-evaluation.

At 8:24 p.m., Mr. Babikian moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing the employment history of particular persons.

Motion carried. (9-0-0)

At 9:15 p.m., Mrs. James Murad moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the motion to adjourn executive session.

Motion carried. (9-0-0)

At 9:16 p.m., Mr. Baxter moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.

Motion carried. (9-0-0)

Respectfully submitted,

Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board

BOARD APPROVED: December 4, 2023