Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mrs. Austin
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad (remote)
Mr. Leach
Ms. McKenney (remote)
Mrs. Souser
Mr. Zoghby
Ms. Evans
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mrs. DeForest called the regular meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. in the Board Room of the District Office.
In attendance: Sherry Moser, Will Moser and Kristen Hefti.
Red Ram Recognition
Mrs. DeForest recognized Mr. Ike, Mrs. Nowicki, Ms. Mercado, Ms. McBurney, Ms. Naque and Mr. Goodson, as well as Courtney Keough for bringing and supporting Unified Basketball at Jamesville-DeWitt. She wished the team good luck at their final game in Cazenovia on Tuesday. Mrs. DeForest recognized Mr. Starowicz, middle school teacher, for bringing a true school newspaper at the middle school level, the JDMS Times. Mrs. DeForest recognized and thanked Mr. Jim Sinopoli, volunteer president of the Jamesville-DeWitt Little League for leading and supporting youth t-ball, baseball and softball in the community. Lastly, as May is National Mental Health Awareness month, Mrs. DeForest recognized and thanked all the mental health professionals in our district including our psychologists, counselors, social workers, Promise Zone specialists and Helio Health Clinic staff.
Mrs. Souser recognized that May is Asian American Islander Heritage month and congratulated the Varsity tennis team for winning the SCAC League Championship. She wished them luck in the State Qualifiers. Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Souser gave a shout out to Kim Schellinger and Megan Leach, as well as all the parents who helped put together Operation Graduation, the after ball party for our seniors.
Ms. Evans shared recognitions from students and clubs including Rampage, Ramfeed, Geography Club, Environmental Club, Umoja Club, sports teams and athletes as well as Rebecca Mendez, for placing 2nd in New York in the National French Competition. Ms. Evans said that she received so many nice compliments for individual accomplishments.
Community Comment Time #1
Tiffany Gratien expressed her concerns about the use of technology in schools and asked for a program to filter or block inappropriate websites. She said the District has not done enough to prevent kids from accessing inappropriate websites. She shared her experience with this issue.
Approve Consent Agenda
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- Accept Internal Claims Auditor Reports
- Accept the Recommendations of the CPSE and the CSE
- Approve Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments
- Approve Minutes of the May 9, 2022 Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting
- Approve Minutes of the May 17, 2022 Special Meeting
Mr. Leach moved and Mr. Gross seconded the approval of the Consent Agenda.
Motion carried (9-0-0).
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Colleen Paige, Occupational Therapist; probationary appointment (4 years); Replacing C. Tzetzis
Location: District
Salary: $60,636 (B-M+53)
Certification: Occupational Therapist
Effective: August 31, 2022
Name and position: Kathryn Woodrick, Speech Therapist; probationary
appointment (4 years from 9/1/21); Replacing L. Neumann
Location: District
Salary: $60,169 (B2-M+44)
Certification: Speech and Language Disabilities, initial
Effective: August 31, 2022
REQUESTS FOR LEAVE
Name and position: Sunnet Placito-Raymond, School Counselor
Location: Middle School
Type of Leave: Unpaid
Effective: May 31, 2022 through June 30, 2022
RETIREMENTS
Name and position: April Butler, Teaching Assistant
Location: Middle School
Effective: June 30, 2022
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: David Kurtz, Mechanic; full-time, 52 week probationary appointment, Replacing S. Thompson
Location: Transportation
Salary: $27.00/hr.
Effective: May 31, 2022
Name and position: Kyle Roberts Custodial Substitute; part-time
Location: Custodial Department
Salary: $13.20/hr.
Effective: May 24, 2022
Name and position: Laura Shaver, Food Service Substitute, part-time
Location: Food Service Department
Salary: $13.20/hr.
Effective: May 24, 2022
RETIREMENTS
Name and position: Nadine Berk, Teacher Aide
Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
Effective: August 31, 2022
Name and position: Vicki Runions, Teacher Aide
Location: Jamesville Elementary School
Effective: June 17, 2022
Approve BOCES Programs
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mrs. Souser seconded the approval to authorize OCM BOCES to provide the following programs: Equivalent of Attendance Program, Employment Preparation Education Program and Adult Continuing Education Program. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Motion carried (9-0-0).
Approve Annual Cooperative Bidding Resolution with OCM BOCES
Mrs. Austin moved and Mrs. Souser seconded the approval of the Annual Cooperative Bidding Resolution with OCM BOCES. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Motion carried (9-0-0).
Approve Resolution for a 5 year contract with OCM BOCES
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the approval of a resolution for a 5 year contract with OCM BOCES for Classroom Technology, Library Automation and Other Instructional Technologies not to exceed $1,300,000. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Motion carried (9-0-0).
Approve Resolution for a 5 year contract with OCM BOCES
Mr. Gross moved and Mr. Zoghby seconded the approval of a resolution for a 5 year contract with OCM BOCES for Classroom Technology, Library Automation and Other Instructional Technologies not to exceed $600,000. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Motion carried (9-0-0).
Adopt New Board Policy Manual
Mrs. James Murad reviewed the timeline leading up to the adoption of the new Board Policy Manual which started in the 2019-2020 school year. She said the entire set of policies are ready to upload.
Mrs. Souser indicated her opposition to the Equity Policy and expressed her opinion that the Board did not follow this policy themselves. There was a discussion among the Board members.
Mr. Leach moved and Mr. Gross seconded the motion to adopt the new Board Policy Manual.
Motion carried (8-1-0). Mrs. Souser opposed.
2022-2023 Board of Education Calendar
Dr. Smith provided the Board with a draft of the 2022-23 calendar of meetings for the board of education, which includes 20 meetings pursuant to the governance handbook. The calendar will come back next meeting for adoption.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Smith thanked the community for coming out and voting on May 17. He said voter turnout was relatively low. The budget passed with a 74% margin of approval and all other propositions passed. Dr. Smith thanked Mrs. Ronna Louise for serving as chairperson of the budget vote, as well as all inspectors of election who volunteered their time. He also thanked the High School Art staff and all art students for their art work which was displayed during the budget vote.
Dr. Smith shared an update on Pre-K enrollment to date, including the number of responses and registration of students. He said due to the number of open spots, we are able to enroll all eligible students that expressed interest in the program. Dr. Smith said that we had a very successful in-person registration in May and will have another in June. He said we are looking to do this again next year for Kindergarten as well.
Dr. Smith shared a capital project update with pictures. The pictures at Jamesville Elementary showed the playground with accessible fixtures, swing and curbing. The pictures at the Middle School showed the project in full swing, including tile work, terrazzo floor repairs, tiled drinking fountain and classrooms which are waiting for ceiling tiles. The High School update showed the technology rooms with wet and dry labs, accessible, flexible spaces and a mock-up of the wood ceiling panels that will be installed. He also shared pictures of the finishing area spaces for artwork, painting and drawing rooms, dark rooms and digital development and production areas. He said he is being cautious but hopeful for the work to be completed by the end of the summer.
Dr. Smith shared a projected enrollment update showing the decline in enrollment to be leveling off. He said that the District looks at the section numbers at this time of year and normally we watch to sections that are “on the bubble.”
Dr. Smith reported that Special Olympics has been moved to Thursday, May 26th due to the weather. Lastly, he updated the Board on upcoming events.
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 identity, racial ethnic identity, 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. (See Supplemental Minutes).
President’s Report
Mrs. DeForest thanked the community for voting on May 17th and passing the budget and propositions. Dr. Archer, Mrs. James Murad and Mrs. DeForest are excited to be able to continue their work on the Board. She congratulated and thanked Mr. Chen for running for the Board and for his passion and desire to prepare our students to be globally competitive.
Mrs. DeForest thanked the JDFA for inviting the Board to the retirement celebration. Dr. Archer said she felt fortunate to be in attendance and that it was very affirming to listen to the contributions of the retirees. Mr. Gross said newly tenured teachers were welcomed as well, and there was an expression that retirees leaving the District in good hands. Mrs. DeForest recognized the following retirees and thanked them for their years of service: April Butler, Linda Gangemi, Clete Gualtieri, Loretta Krewson, Donna Oppedisano, Andrea Ninestein, Kitty Robinson and Elizabeth Wood.
Mrs. Deforest reminded the Board of the CNYSBA Annual Meeting on May 25th at the Lodge in Skaneateles as well as the book study prior to the meeting. Mrs. DeForest said the Board of Education will be conducting their final evaluation of Dr. Smith through Super Eval and will receive an invitation to do this. Lastly, Mrs. DeForest shared that Friday, June 3, is National Gun Violence Awareness Day or Wear Orange Day. She is inviting the community to wear orange on that day.
Community Comment Time #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There was none.
At 8:34 p.m., Mr. Gross moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the adjournment of the meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Peter C. Smith
Acting Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 6/13/22