Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. Cortese
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mrs. Scott
Mr. Zoghby
Mr. Mantalios (student board member)
Administration Present
Dr. Smith, Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Mahir Bechir, Shakhzod Abdusattorov, Nick Signorelli, Khurshidabonu Rakhmatova, Matt Cook, Mark DeRoberts, Jonathan Dobrovech, and Michael Fitzpatrick.
Mr. Gross called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:00 p.m. in the boardroom of the District Office.
Presentation, 2024 Capital Project Referendum
Dr. Smith shared a public presentation on the upcoming 2024 Capital Project Referendum. He welcomed members of the Ashley McGraw team involved in the design of the project and Ed Keplinger from Keplinger and Associates, who was involved in the sitework. Dr. Smith and Mr. Bartlett presented the goals for the project, the process used to get to the goals, scope and budget for the project, financial overview and tentative construction schedule. Mr. Bartlett reminded the public that the vote is next Tuesday, December 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Dr. Smith informed the board and public that the vote will be accomplished by paper ballot as the County is not allowing the use of voting machines after the presidential election. He thanked the volunteer inspectors of election for their help with this task. There was an opportunity for questions.
Presentation: Mrs. Menapace, Director of PPS
Mrs. Menapace, Director of PPS and Mrs. Martin, Assistant Director of PPS, shared a presentation from the PPS Department which covered responses to questions from the Strategic Planning staff/community survey. The presentation also covered focus areas for 2024-2025, which include: Resource Room Program, Parentally Placed Students/non-public, and instructional practices.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Red Ram Recognition
Mr. Gross shared Red Ram Recognition and recognized and/or congratulated the following:
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- Students who were selected to the Puerto Rican-Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PRHYLI), Syracuse Delegation: Gabriella Garcia Thomas, Stefanie Cervantes, Rebecca Mendez Siquier, Sara Skewes and Stephanie Alfonso.
- Dedication of a memorial bench at Moses DeWitt in honor of longtime school psychologist Sheila Blanchard Considine. Sheila’s daughter, Julia Blanchard Aloi was present for the dedication.
- Senior students, Rebecca Mendez-Siquier and Brian Tollar for being named by Syracuse.com as Best and Brightest.
- Varsity Boys Volleyball team for advancing to the final round of the State Competition, Kayla McQuaid, for placing number 8 in 1 Meter Diving and the girls 400 Yard Freestyle Relay team for placing number 20 in the state. The four members of the team are Thearyn Wales, Cora Bright, Nora Barnello and Evelyn Jones.
Mr. Gross recognized the bus drivers as well as the entire Transportation Department for providing safe delivery of our students to and from school. He reminded everyone to review the District’s Emergency Closing Procedures.
Lastly, Mr. Gross recognized the upcoming holiday celebrations including Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, as well as the dates of the winter recess.
Community Comment Time
Randy Arnold commented on the capital project and asked if it had been a consideration to install air-conditioning units in the buildings. Dr. Smith responded that it is currently cost prohibitive but that the air handling units which will be installed as part of the current project can be used in future projects when addressing air conditioning installation.
Mr. Gross explained a three-minute time limit for Community Comment Time. He said the Board does not normally respond during this time, but because of the upcoming referendum vote it was allowed. He encouraged any further questions to be directed to the Superintendent and/or Board.
Approve Consent Agenda
Dr. Archer moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
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- Approve Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments
- Accept CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Accept Internal Claims Auditor Report
- Approve the Minutes of the November 18, 2024, Board Meeting
- Approve Inspectors of Election for the 2024 Capital Project Referendum
Motion carried. (9-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – December 9, 2024
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Anne Root, Teaching Assistant, four-year probationary appointment, new position.
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- Location: Jamesville Elementary
- Salary: $31,000 (prorated)
- Certification: Teaching Assistant Level 1
- Effective: January 10, 2025
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Season Pay – Fall Coaching – 2024-2025
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- John Barlow, Varsity Head Football Coach, $1,611.00
- Elyssa Becker, Varsity Assistant Gymnastics Coach, $524.00
- Robert Bewley, Girls Varsity Head Swimming Coach, $3,181.00
- Jeff Cantor, Boys Varsity Assistant Soccer Coach, $1,084.00
- Jake Cline, Boys Varsity Head Volleyball Coach, $1,942.00
- Joe Corridori, Varsity Assistant Football Coach, $1,227.00
- Robert Drummond, Varsity Assistant Football Coach, $1,049.00
- Andrea Heil, Girls Varsity Head Volleyball Coach, $1,942.00
- Alanna Jones, Varsity Head Cheerleading Coach, $932.00
- Tracey Kalin, Varsity Head Gymnastics Coach, $824.00
- Daniel Law, Boys Varsity Head Soccer Coach, $1792.00
- John Lenish, Boys Varsity Head Cross Country Coach, $1,647.00
- Matt Murphy, Girls Varsity Head Soccer Coach, $1,549.00
- Joshua Paduano, Boys JV Head Volleyball Coach, $1,257.00
- Melanie Quinn, JV Head Cheerleading Coach, $647.00
- Nancy Raicht, Girls Varsity Head Cross Country Coach, $1,983.00
- Katherine Richey, Girls Varsity Assistant Swimming Coach, $1,626.00
- Gina Santoro, Girls Varsity Assistant Soccer Coach, $1,020.00
- Eugene Sul, Girls Varsity Head Tennis Coach, $2,965.00
- Rebecca Trevisani, Girls JV Head Volleyball Coach, $1,281.00
- Paul Valentino, Boys Varsity Head Golf Coach, $661.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Intramurals – Middle School – 2024-2025
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Ghada Abu-Ramadan, Session 1 Coach Substitute, $22.88
- Jessica Duerr, Session 1 Coach, $251.68
- Ken Kline, Session 1 Coach, $320.32
- Andy Starowicz, Session 1 Coach, $68.64
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Erin Cooley, Special Education Teacher, Jamesville Elementary School, parental and FMLA leave of absence, January 20, 2025, through May 27, 2025
- Kelsey Froass, Speech Language Pathologist, Tecumseh Elementary School, parental and FMLA leave of absence, April 25, 2025, through June 27, 2025
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Samantha Guillaume, Special Education Teacher, High School, December 20, 2024
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Thomas Bates, Custodial Worker I, Custodial Department, $19.42/hr., December 10, 2024, replacing A. Thornton
- Matthew Chisholm, Substitute Bus Driver, Transportation Department, $26.00/hr., December 10, 2024
- Nadiia Pechena, Bus Attendant, Transportation Department, $16.60/hr., December 10, 2024, replacing A. Franco
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Alexander Thornton, Custodial Worker I, Custodial Department, November 29, 2024
- Frank Whipple, Food Service Helper I, Cafeteria, November 21, 2024
Approve Resolution to Appoint OCM BOCES Superintendent Matt Cook, Ed.D., as the search consultant for the Jamesville-DeWitt Superintendent Search
Mr. Gross introduced Dr. Matt Cook, OCM BOCES Superintendent, to share a presentation on the Superintendent Search which is being conducted by OCM BOCES. The presentation included the following components of the process: gathering information, advertising, application, interviewing, decision and announcement. Dr. Cook explained the pros and cons of the two types of searches, open vs. confidential. He answered questions and asked the board for a recommendation. It was the consensus of the board to do a confidential search. Lastly, Dr. Cook shared a timeline of the search that would culminate in the appointment of a new superintendent in April or May. Dr. Cook answered questions.
Mr. Babikian moved, and Mr. Zoghby seconded the motion to approve the following resolution:
Resolution
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District has determined that there is a need to fill the position of Superintendent of Schools as a result of the upcoming retirement of its superintendent; and,
WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Education has encouraged and instructed District Superintendents of Schools of supervisory districts in the recruitment and selection of superintendents; and,
WHEREAS, the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District is a component school district of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services for the Sole Supervisory District of Onondaga, Cortland, and Madison Counties (OCM BOCES); and,
WHEREAS Matthew L. Cook, Ed.D., District Superintendent of OCM BOCES, has advised the Board of Education that he is available and that the Commissioner of Education has instructed him to provide such other assistance to the school district as may be needed; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has a need to expend money in the search for a successor superintendent, including, but not limited to, expenses for advertising and publishing the notice of vacancy and related information, postage, mileage, travel, meals, lodging, and incidental expenses related to the recruitment and selection of a Superintendent of Schools.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education authorizes the expenditure of funds, directly or on its behalf, related to the recruitment and selection of a Superintendent of Schools. Such expenses shall include, but not be limited to, expenses for advertisement and publishing the notice of vacancy and related information, postage, mileage, travel, meals, lodging, and incidental expenses. All expenses submitted for reimbursement shall be submitted on appropriate requisition, purchase orders, or claim forms of the school district and shall be subject to audit and approval by the Board of Education; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District Board of Education appoints District Superintendent Matthew L. Cook, Ed.D. as the lead search consultant to replace the retiring superintendent and further authorizes District Superintendent Matthew L. Cook to incur expenses on behalf of the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District related to the recruitment and selection of a Superintendent of Schools and that OCM BOCES shall be reimbursed for the same upon the submission of a claim.
Motion carried. (9-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Approve Award of 2024-2025 Capital Outlay Project Contract
Mr. Baxter moved, and Dr. Archer seconded the motion to award the 2024-2025 Capital Outlay Project contract to Utica Glass Company.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Approve 2025-2026 Budget Calendar
Mrs. Cortese moved, and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to approve the 2025-2026 Budget Calendar.
Motion carried. (9-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Board Policy, First Reading
The following readings came to the Board for a first reading:
· Policy 3421: Title IX and Sex Discrimination
· Policy 7313: Suspension of Students
· Policy 7330: Searches and Interrogations of Students
· Policy 7554: Equal Educational Opportunities
· Policy 7555: Educational Services for Married/Pregnant
Students
Mrs. James Murad explained that Policy number 3421, Title IX and Sex Discrimination, is the model policy used by the State, Policy number 7313, Suspension of Students is being brought with an addition to conform to our Code of Conduct, and that Policy 7554, Equal Educational Opportunities is required. She also said Policy number 7555, Educational Services for Married/Pregnant Students is not required, but is a new policy which describes accommodations.
These policies will be brought back to the January 13, 2025, meeting for a second reading.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
There was none.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Smith shared information on a new pilot program in which J-D is participating, which will install bus stop arm cameras in all the buses. He said the purpose of the program is to enhance the safety and security of our students as well as other pedestrians, bus drivers and motorists. He said when the bus comes to a stop and the stop arm comes out, a camera will activate if anyone passes. The camera will focus in on the license plate and a fine will then be issued. Dr. Smith said Onondaga County will contract with Verra Mobility to install the cameras. Verra Mobility will keep 55% of the fees and the County will keep the other 45%. He said the benefit the district receives is the safety of our students with this deterrent in place.
Dr. Smith shared upcoming events.
Committee Reports
Mrs. James Murad shared that in addition to the updates on the first reading of the new policies, the committee looked at an artificial intelligence policy, but on recommendation from administration, will put it on hold until employees are trained, and that the platforms are compliant with Ed Law 2d.
Board President’s Report
Mr. Gross reported that he attended the NYSSBA 2025 Legislative and Budget Preview Presentation last week. He said this was about changes at the federal and state level. Mr. Gross said there are many unknowns regarding federal initiatives and that there will be a publication coming out soon from NYSSBA regarding state budgetary priorities. Mr. Gross said the Rockefeller Institute issued a report on the Foundation Aid Formula and said that although many recommendations were made, one recommendation is that 100% cost of zero emissions buses be borne by the state. He said we will need to watch to see if the recommendations will be made part of the budget this year.
Mr. Gross said he was not able to attend the CNYSBA Tax Cap and Tax Levy Presentation. He said that aid under the new formulation could be severely reduced, which could put us in a position to challenge the 2% tax cap. He said we need to stay on top of what happens at the state level and work with the Finance Committee.
Student Board Member’s Report
Mr. Mantalios did not have a report.
Community Comment Time, #2
There were none.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There was none.
At 9:02 p.m., Mrs. Scott moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: January 13, 2025