Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mrs. Austin
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mr. Leach
Ms. McKenney
Mrs. Souser
Ms. Evans
Members Absent
Mr. Zogbhy
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Timothy Decker
Mrs. DeForest called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the District Office.
In attendance were: Stan Chen and Sandra Wiggins.
Red Ram Recognition
Mrs. DeForest recognized the Tecumseh Elementary School Learning Pad, led by Mrs. Ames, along with staff and students, who hosted their annual lemonade stand to benefit the Autism Society of CNY and Adaptive Design Association, which both serve students in the J-D community. The lemonade stand raised $2,383 for the two organizations.
Mrs. DeForest recognized librarians and assistants during School Library month and thanked them for all they do to support students. Lastly, she recognized and thanked all administrative professionals and clerical staff across the district who were instrumental during the pandemic and every day.
Mrs. Souser congratulated the Varsity Tennis team as they continue to be undefeated.
Community Comment Time #1
Sophia Caputo, a sophomore student as well as news editor of the JD Rampage, commented on the current board policy which states the district may exercise editorial control and take down any article. She asked the board to review the current policy and add provisions such as the need to provide information on articles which are being censored.
Budget Discussion: 2022-2023
Dr. Smith reviewed the budgeting process to date and presented the revenue portion of the budget based on State Aid allocation for 2022-2023. (See Supplemental Minutes). The proposed budget for the 2022-2023 school year is $63,733,991 which represents a 5.91% budget to budget increase. He presented the three major revenue sources which include a tax levy of $43,271,142, state aid of $18,233,015 and proposed use of $796.619 from designated reserves.
Dr. Smith reviewed the propositions and announced the four candidates that are running for the three seats on the Board of Education. The candidates are Sharon Archer, Stanley Chen, Lorianne DeForest and Renee James Murad. He said the board will be asked to adopt the budget later in the meeting and he shared upcoming dates including the Budget Hearing on May 9th and Budget Vote on May 17th.
Approve Consent Agenda
- Accept Internal Claims Auditor Reports
- Accept the Recommendations of the CPSE and the CSE
- Approve Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments
Mr. Gross moved and Ms. Mckenney seconded the approval of the Consent Agenda.
Motion carried (8-0-0).
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
- Name and position: Nicholas Bentley; Guidance Counselor; Probationary Appointment (4 years); Replacing C. Gualtieri
- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $50,759 (B1)
- Certification: School Counselor * In progress
- Effective: 8/15/22
- Name and position: Anna Cabral Drew; Mathematics Teacher; Probationary
- Appointment (3 years); Replacing B. Wood
- Location: JD High School
- Salary: $72,234 (B15-M+33)
- Certification: Perm. Math 7-12
- Effective: 8/15/22
- Name and position: Christina Taylor; Administrative Intern
- Location: District
- Salary: $65,683
- Effective: 9/1/22-6/30/23
Extra duty assignments/extended teaching 2021-2022 – Jamesville Elementary School
- Name: Cynthia Cobb
- Assignment: Bus Supervision (PM only)
- Stipend: $599
Extra duty assignments/extended teaching 2021-2022 – Coaching – Spring Season
- Name: Samantha Guillaume
- Assignment: Girls Varsity Softball – Volunteer
- Stipend: $0
Requests for Leave
- Name and position: Marnie Moss; Guidance Counselor
- Location: JD Middle School
- Type of Leave: Parental Leave (Paid & FMLA)
- Effective: 7/18/22 – 10/31/22
- Name and position: Christina Taylor; Special Education Teacher
- Location: Jamesville Elementary School
- Type of Leave: Unpaid Leave
- Effective: 9/1/22-6/30/23
Request for Retirement
- Name and position: Susan Brown; Teaching Assistant
- Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
- Effective: 6/30/22
Resignations
- Name and position: Claire Donovan; Special Education Teacher
- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary School
- Effective: 6/30/22
- Name and position: Samantha Guillaume; Modified Softball Coach
- Location: Athletics
- Effective: 4/11/22
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
- Name and position: Tracey Lewis, Food Service Helper I; Part-Time Appt. new position; Replacing L. Kemp
- Location: CAFE
- Salary: $13.68/hour
- Effective: 4/19/22
- Name and position: Michael Stith; Seasonal Grounds Worker; Part-Time Appointment
- Location: MTCE
- Salary: $13.30/hour
- Effective: 4/19/22
Request for Retirement
- Name and position: Julie Burgwin; Teacher Aide
- Location: JD High School
- Effective: 6/30/22
- Name and position: Tina Mason; Cook Manager
- Location: CAFE
- Effective: 6/26/22
Approve Minutes of April 4, 2022 Board Meeting
Mrs. Austin moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the approval of the Minutes of the April 4, 2022 Board of Education meeting.
Motion carried. (7-0-1) Mrs. Souser abstained.
Elect Board of Education Members for OCM BOCES
Mrs. Souser moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the adoption of a resolution casting its votes in the annual election of members of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services for the persons indicated on the ballot as listed below:
- Robert Crabtree, North Syracuse Central School District
- Kimberly Sacco, West Genesee Central School District
- Margaret Peri, Cincinnatus Central School District
- Jodi Wiesing, DeRuyter Central School District
Motion carried. (8-0-0).
Approve BOCES 2022-2023 Administrative Budget
At a Regular meeting of the Board of Education (“Board”) of the Jamesville-DeWitt School District, County, New York (the “District”) held at DeWitt, New York on the 18th day of April 2022. The meeting was called to order by President DeForest, at 7:00 p.m. and upon roll being called, the following were
PRESENT: Lorianne DeForest, Sharon Archer, Renee James Murad, Kelly Austin, David Leach, Joseph Gross, Lisa McKenney, and Carolyn Souser
ABSENT: Jalal Zogbhy
The following resolution was offered by Joseph Gross, who moved its adoption, seconded by David Leach, to wit:
WHEREAS, the Board of Cooperative Educational Services for the Sole Supervisory District of Onondaga, Cortland, and Madison Counties, (the “BOCES”) duly presented its tentative 2022-2023 administrative budget of $9,300,563 at its 2022 annual meeting; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to approve said tentative administrative budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows:
Section 1:
The BOCES’ tentative administrative budget of $9,300,563 is hereby approved.
Section 2:
This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote, which resulted as follows:
8 – Ayes 0 – Nays
The Resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.
Motion carried (8-0-0).
Appoint Chairperson for the Annual Meeting and Budget Vote
Mrs. James Murad moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the motion to appoint Ms. Ronna Louise as Chairperson for the 2022-2023 Annual Meeting and Budget Vote.
Motion carried (8-0-0).
Adopt 2022-2023 Budget
Mrs. Souser moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the motion to adopt the budget to be presented to the voters as recommended by the Superintendent in the amount of $63,733,991 and levy the tax to support that expenditure.
Motion carried. (8-0-0).
Approve Town of DeWitt Bus Request for Operation Graduation
Mrs. Souser moved and Mrs. McKenney seconded the approval of the Town of DeWitt Bus Request for Operation Graduation.
Motion carried (8-0-0).
Approve Town of DeWitt Bus Request for Emergency Use
Mr. Gross moved and Mrs. Souser seconded the approval of the Town of DeWitt Bus Request for Emergency Use.
Motion carried (8-0-0).
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Mrs. DeForest reported that most of the items on the list for potential consideration for future meetings, are either in motion or part of committee work. Dr. Archer suggested giving the Equity Council a spot on the Agenda. Dr. Smith said he would email the Board with an update on the High School principal search.
Assistant Superintendent’s Report, 30 Week Impact Report
Mr. Franz shared with the Board the 30 Week Impact Report as part of the regular reporting cycle. His report included a crosswalk of focus areas relating to data points, academics, attendance rates, responses to data and measurement of work. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Smith reminded the Board and community of the Budget Vote and referred to the information shared earlier in his Budget presentation. He also shared information on absentee ballots, which can be found on the website.
Next, Dr. Smith shared a presentation of photos from the construction project at the Middle School and High School. He said the work was moving along with the High School STEAM wing and is scheduled for a September opening. Dr. Smith thanked the technology teachers at the Middle School who took time during their break to help move into the technology wing. He said he is hoping to have the whole project complete for the September opening.
Dr. Smith reported on the work at Jamesville Elementary School which includes a new accessible ramp to the playground, new accessible playground equipment and the return of green space from what used to be blacktop.
Dr. Smith gave an update on the Special Olympics which will be held at CNS on May 19th and reviewed the criteria to be invited as an athlete. He said permission slips will be sent home shortly and that the District wanted to make sure that all students that are eligible have the opportunity to attend.
Dr. Smith provided a COVID-19 update and said that within the last week, the number of positive cases had dropped slightly. He reminded the Board of the New York State Health Commissioner’s recommendation to wear a mask indoors and added that many staff and students are in fact doing that, although not required. He will continue to monitor and update the Board.
Lastly, Dr. Smith shared upcoming events, including the launch of the new website, NYS ELA testing, Jr. Prom and the holiday, Eid Al-Fitr, on Monday, May 2nd.
Student Board Member Report
Ms. Evans provided her Student Board Member Report via a slide presentation which included a demographic breakdown of responses by grade, gender, race, disability and sexual identify. Her report covered responses to the “State of the School” questions including, what is the district doing well, what concerns do you have, concerns among minorities, and what ideas do you have. Ms. Evans thanked Mr. Franz for helping her with her report. (See Supplemental Minutes).
President’s Report
Mrs. DeForest reported on the OCM BOCES Annual Meeting she attended and said she was impressed how they were able to focus on every district’s profile in their materials handed out. She said each piece of the budget was reviewed as well as information on the board candidates and annual report.
Mrs. DeForest reminded the Board of the next book study date, April 28th and said she would be sending out potential dates ahead of time to review as a board.
Lastly, she shared that NYSSBA sent an email with information on a budget webinar. She said the webinar has budget information from the NYSSBA’s perspective. She shared materials with the Board.
In his position as the Board’s legislative liaison, Mr. Gross shared information on potential changes to the Open Meetings Law which are part of the state budget.
Community Comment Time #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Mrs. Souser wished Will Guisbond a happy birthday and shared his significance as the first ex-officio student board member. Dr. Smith recognized the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team and coaches, as they recently spent a day volunteering at the Samaritan Center.
At 9:20 p.m., Mrs. Souser moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the adjournment of the meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Peter C. Smith
Acting Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 5/9/22