Members Present
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. Cortese
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mrs. Scott
Mr. Zoghby
Mr. Mantalios (student board member)
Members Absent
Dr. Archer
Administration Present
Dr. Smith, Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Mr. Gross called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the District Office and via Zoom.
Red Ram Recognition
During Red Ram Recognition, Mr. Gross recognized and congratulated the following:
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- Jamesville-DeWitt students who attended the 2024 Health Occupations Students of America National Conference in Houston Texas: Aarohi Rastogi, Flora Mei, Riley Tuite, and Sinead McDevitt.
- Jamesville-DeWitt High School for being named an NYSPHSAA School of Excellence.
- Recent JD graduate, Mitchell Archer and rising Senior Jackson Saroney who qualified for the Junior PGA Tournament in Washington, DC. Jackson advanced to the second day of the tournament and Mitchell advanced to the third day.
Mr. Gross recognized the maintenance and custodial staff for all their hard work during the summer when they worked on projects to get the buildings, grounds and equipment refreshed and restored.
Lastly, Mr. Gross recognized former ex-officio student board member, Grace Evans, who was recently featured on the Capital Pressroom talk show. Grace is currently involved in state advocacy to require all districts to approve an ex-officio student board member to sit on the Board of Education.
Community Comment Time
There were no comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
The following items were removed from the Consent Agenda and will be voted on individually:
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- Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations, Substitute Re-Appointments and New Substitute Appointments
- Minutes of the July 29, 2024, Public Hearing
- Minutes of the July 29, 2024, Regular Meeting
Mrs. James Murad moved to approve the Consent Agenda as amended and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion approve the Consent Agenda amended as follows:
Consent Agenda Items:
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- Accept CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Approve Overnight Field Trip Request
- Approve Disposal of Surplus District Property
Motion carried. (8-0-0). (See Supplemental Minutes)
Approve Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations, Substitute Re-Appointments and new Substitute Appointments
At 7:05 p.m., Mr. Zoghby moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to adjourn the regular meeting and enter Executive Session for the purposes of discussing the employment history of a specific employee.
Motion carried. (8-0-0).
At 7:09 p.m., Mrs. DeForest moved and Mrs. James seconded the motion to adjourn from Executive Session.
Motion carried. (8-0-0).
Mrs. Cortese moved, and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to approve the Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations, Substitute Re-Appointments and new Substitute Appointments.
Motion carried. (8-0-0).
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – August 26, 2024, as follows:
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Katherine Berry, K-6 Classroom Teacher, (Teacher on Special Assignment, 11- month position), four-year probationary appointment, replacing B. Smith
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- Location: District
- Salary: $76,841.00 (B10-M+39)
- Certification: Initial Childhood Education 1-6
- Effective: August 28, 2024
Name and position: Tamara Budgeon, Teaching Assistant, four-year probationary appointment, replacing J. Graves
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- Location: Jamesville Elementary
- Salary: $31,000.00 (B1)
- Certification: Teaching Assistant Level 1 in process
- Effective: August 28, 2024
Name and position: Joshua Frank, K-6 Classroom Teacher, four-year probationary appointment (from 8/30/23), new position.
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- Location: Jamesville Elementary
- Salary: $53,876.00 (B2)
- Certification: Initial Childhood (B-2)
- Effective: August 28, 2024
Name and position: Jacob Graves, Physical Education Teacher, four-year probationary appointment, replacing C. Goldberg
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- Location: Moses-DeWitt Elementary School
- Salary: $52,819.00 (B1)
- Certification: Initial Physical Education
- Effective: August 28, 2024
Resignation
Name, assignment, location and effective date:
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- Jacob Graves, Teaching Assistant, Jamesville Elementary, August 27, 2024
- Jennifer Vant, Math Teacher, Middle School, August 12, 2024
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – District – 2024-2025
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Heather Cavalluzzi, Nurse Manager, $5,388.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2024-2025
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Anna Cabral, HS Math Team, Co-Advisor, $792.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School – 2024-2025
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Phillip Kinane, E-Sports – Lego League Coach, $924.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Tecumseh Elementary – 2024-2025
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Alyssa Ascenzo, Bus Coordinator, AM & PM, $1,338.00
- Tina Bussone, Bus Coordinator, AM & PM, $1,338.00
- Tammy DiDomenico, Parent Pick-up – Dismissal, $669.00
- Karen Graham, Parent Pick-up – Arrival, $669.00
- Mary Simone, Parent Pick-up – Dismissal, $669.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Fall Coaching – 2024-2025
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Jacob Graves, Girls Modified Soccer Coach, $3,169.00
- Dennis Schahczenski, Modified Football Coach, $6,786.00
Resignation – Extra Duty Assignment – Fall Coaching 2024-2025
Name, and assignment:
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- Emily LeBlanc, Modified Girls Soccer Coach
- Eric Ormond, Modified Football Coach
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Joshua Davis, Substitute Custodian, Custodial Dept., $15.00/hr., August 20, 2024
- Homer Brown, Substitute Custodian, Custodial Dept., $15.00/hr., August 20, 2024
- Marjorie Maier, Teacher Aide, 52-week probationary appointment, Jamesville Elementary, $15.70/hr., August 28, 2024, new position
Retirement
Name, assignment, location and effective date:
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- Gordon Bryant, Custodial Worker I, Custodial Department, August 31, 2024
Approve Minutes of the July 29, 2024, Public Hearing
Mr. Baxter moved, and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the July 29, 2024, Public Hearing.
Motion carried. (6-0-2). Mrs. James Murad and Mr. Zoghby abstained.
Approve Minutes of the July 29, 2024, Regular Meeting
Mrs. Cortese moved, and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the July 29, 2024, Regular Board Meeting.
Motion carried. (6-0-2). Mrs. James Murad and Mr. Zoghby abstained.
Adopt District Safety Plan
Dr Smith reviewed the District Safety Plan which was presented in July. The presentation covered the safety and security updates currently in progress, the suggested revision and updates to the plan, as well as updates to the SRO Memorandum of Understanding.
Mr. Gross stated that neither the Board, nor Dr. Smith have received any further comments regarding the District Safety Plan.
Mr. Babikian moved, and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to adopt the 2024-2025 District Safety Plan.
Motion carried. (8-0-0). (See Supplemental Minutes for Presentation; District Safety Plan can be found on the district website).
Approve the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 School Tax Rates
Mr. Zoghby moved, and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to approve the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 School Tax Rates.
Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Mr. Zoghby suggested that an explanation of the tax rate be considered for a board retreat idea.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
There was none.
Assistant Superintendent’s Report, School Climate Survey
Mr. Reyes provided the Board with a report on the 2024 School Climate Survey. His report included the purpose of the survey, timeline, crosswalk with data points, surveys conducted, district level responses to students and families, and district successes by building. Mr. Reyes shared what’s next for the district and took questions from the Board.
(See Supplemental Minutes for presentation).
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Smith began his report by informing the board that a calendar of board meetings with the breakdown of locations and/or reports for each meeting has been placed in the board shared drive.
Dr. Smith said that with the current Strategic Plan expiring in 2025, the district has begun to think about the task of developing a new plan and who will partner with us to do this. He said our previous partner is no longer doing this type of work, so he has been developing the criteria for a new partnership. He said the company that the district will be using is called “BluePrint for Success” and is led by two sitting superintendents of school districts within NYS: Dr. Kevin McGowen, Supt. of Brighton School District and Dr. Jason Andrews, Supt. of Windsor School District. He said both are past New York State Superintendents of the Year. He said to gather feedback and input, they will be using ThoughtExchange and will facilitate several sessions aimed at Board of Education members and administrators as well as stakeholders. Dr. Smith shared the next step, which is a session on October 8 for administrators and Board members. He said an invitation is forthcoming.
Dr. Smith shared an update on enrollment and thanked the Board for approving the addition of a 4th section of Kindergarten at Jamesville Elementary. He said all other sections (Pre-K-4) fall within the guidelines for all class sizes. Dr. Smith shared district enrollment numbers and said we are starting to see some leveling off, as we only have a 1% change over last year. He shared a snapshot of Pre-K enrollment and reported that we currently have 18 students at Jamesville and Moses DeWitt, 36 students at Tecumseh, 15 students filling 15 spots at RECC and 8 students filling 15 spots at Little Lukes. There are currently no students on the waitlist and 2 students are in the process of enrollment. Dr. Smith talked about the challenges associated with the cost of educating each Pre-K student, including reimbursement from the State. He said we get reimbursed up to $5,400 per student, and that currently, he is advocating for the rate of reimbursement to be increased.
Dr. Smith reported that things are ramping up for the 24-25 school year as of today. He said Mr. Reyes has been working with mentors/mentees for training as well as new employees who will be in the district for orientation on August 21 and 22. Dr. Smith said that August 28 is opening day, which is the Superintendent’s Conference Day. He said that all staff have been invited to attend the opening day, which includes a luncheon. He invited all board members to attend as well. Dr. Smith said Thursday is also the Superintendent’s Conference Day and the first day of school is Tuesday, September 3.
Committee Reports
Mrs. DeForest reported that the Finance Committee met on August 13 and reviewed the reserve fund distribution from 2023-2024 school year, with more information to come after the auditor’s report is received. She also reported that the Committee is planning for the 25-26 budget as well as the 26-27 budget. She said they are setting aside dates to meet monthly and that they are also looking at revenue and foundation aid study, tax cap overrides and the Southwood property which is coming up on this agenda. Lastly, she said they received various capital project updates, and they looked at what the next capital project might look like.
Board President’s Report
Mr. Gross reported there will be a brief public meeting ahead of next week’s retreat to approve personnel. He said the retreat will consist of a presentation by Tracey Menapace, Director of PPS and a representative from the district’s attorney, Bond, Schoeneck and King, who will speak about Special Education and the role the board plays. He said there will be some time during the retreat for the board to get to know each other with exercises on how to work as an effective board.
Mr. Gross spoke about the Rockefeller Institute Foundation Aid Study with important takeaways being what is the responsibility of the state, what is at our discretion as a board, what is our community willing to afford, and where are our community values. He said there is more information to come and that he will recirculate NYSSBA information.
Mr. Gross commented on Back-to-School activities and encouraged anyone to participate on the opening day.
Community Comment Time, #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Dr. Smith provided an update on the progress of the Southwood property. He and Mr. Bartlett met with representatives from the Town of Onondaga on July 30 and explained to them that the district was not interested in selling the property. He said the Town was understanding of the district’s decision and was receptive to finding a lease agreement. He explained that there is law that states a Town cannot create a park district on leased land and then shared history on an exact same situation from 1999 where the school board and Town agreed to a lease on this same property. There was a proposition to change the law, but the legislation did not move past the assembly. Dr. Smith has done the research and spoke with the person who was the business administrator at the time, and he assured him that everyone was in agreement, and they did not understand why the legislation died in the assembly.
Dr. Smith reported that he has been in contact with Assemblywoman Hunter’s office and shared the background information with them. He said the office has the draft legislation to refer to, and that is where it currently stands.
Dr. Smith said that he has received emails from a few neighbors asking the district to clean up the space and he assured them the district will be taking care of the property.
Dr. Smith said he is optimistic that this proposal will be addressed in an upcoming legislative cycle.
Mr. Gross thanked the district staff and the Southwood neighbors who have resurrected this proposal.
2024-2025 Board Goals
Mr. Gross reported that he did not receive any changes to the 2024-2025 Board Goals.
Mrs. Scott moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to approve the 2024-2025 Board of Education Goals.
Motion carried. (8-0-0).
At 8:44 p.m., Mr. Zoghby moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 9-9-24