J-D Board of Education Meeting Minutes – May 9, 2022

Members Present

Dr. Archer
Mrs. Austin
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mr. Leach
Ms. McKenney
Mrs. James Murad
Mrs. Souser
Mr. Zoghby
Ms. Evans

Administration Present

Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent

Mrs. DeForest called a meeting of the Executive Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the District Office.  

At 6:55 p.m. Mrs. James Murad joined the meeting.  

At 7:00 p.m. Mr. Gross moved and Mrs. Souser seconded the motion to adjourn from Executive Session to the Budget Hearing. 

Motion carried.(9-0-0).

At 8:19 p.m., Mrs. DeForest called the meeting to order after the Budget Hearing. 

In attendance:  Stanley Chen

Red Ram Recognition

Mrs. Souser congratulated the Varsity Tennis team as they continue their winning streak and Mrs. DeForest congratulated the Girls Softball team as well. 

Mrs. DeForest recognized and thanked students and staff for their efforts on Earth.  Specifically, mentioned were high school staff and students for organizing a clean- up on school grounds and Ms. Bourci and Ms. Stillitano at the Middle School for decorating planters and planting seeds with their students. 

Mrs. DeForest recognized and thanked the J-D nurses during National Nurses Week for all they do on a daily basis to care for our students.  Mrs. DeForest recognized a number of students from the High School for earning either the NYS Seal of Biliteracy or Triliteracy.    

Ms. Evans shared recognitions from High School students.  She said the Unified Basketball team did very well with the first game and recognized Coach Ike for working with the team.  She recognized Max Oppedisano, a senior, whose play is going to Syracuse Stage and Sam Phillips and the Drama Club who are busy working on projects.  She congratulated the Baseball team for being undefeated and the Dialogue Circle for all their work. 

Community Comment Time #1

Sonia Kragh commented on Proposition #1 and asked the district to reconsider adding electric buses before 2027 and suggested asking voters what they think.

Approve Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations

Ms. McKenney moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the approval of the Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations, Substitute Appointments and Addendum to Personnel Recommendations. 

Motion carried. (9-0-0).

INSTRUCTIONAL 

Appointments

Name and position: Charlean Clawson; Second Language Teacher; Probationary Appointment (3 years); Replacing K. Robinson
Location: Middle School
Salary: $66,192 (B9-M+33)
Certification: French 7-12, professional
Effective: August 31, 2022

Name and position: Gregory Lawson; Principal; Probationary Appointment (4 years); Replacing P. Gasparini
Location: High School
Salary: $120,000
Certification: SBL, initial
Effective: July 5, 2022

Extra Duty: Extended Teaching 2021-2022

Name: Brian Marrero
Assignment: Late Bus Supervision
Stipend: $1,198 (pro-rated on May 10, 2022)

Extra Duty: Intramurals

Name: Dan Glazier
Assignment: Whiffle ball and coach substitute
Stipend: $104.40

Name: Mitzi Longway
Assignment: Volleyball, whiffle ball and speedminton
Stipend: $208.80

Retirements

Name and position: Cindy Tzetzis; Occupational Therapist
Location: District
Effective: June 30, 2022

Resignations

Name and position: Lynette Neumann; Speech-Language Pathologist
Location:  J-D Middle School
Effective:  June 30, 2022

Name and position:  Juan Martinez; Teaching Assistant
Location: J-D High School
Effective: September 1, 2022

NONINSTRUCTIONAL

Change in Status

Name: Brian Marrero
Location:  J-D High School
Change: Increase in duties
Salary: $17.50/hr.
Effective: May 10, 2022

Resignations

Name and position:  Jagoda Ribarovski, Teacher Aide
Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary
Effective: April 25, 2022

Retirements

Name and position: Debra Cosbey; Teacher Aide 
Location: Jamesville Elementary School
Effective: July 20, 2022

Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations

INSTRUCTIONAL

Appointments

Name and position: Jonathan Mangram; Social Studies Teacher; Probationary Appointment (4 years); Replacing D. Oppedisano
Location: J-D High School
Salary: $56,109 (B6)
Certification: Social Studies 7-12, initial
Effective: August 31, 2022

See Supplemental Minutes for Substitute Appointments.

Dr. Smith announced that the Board of Education has appointed Greg Lawson as the new principal of the High School, shared his background and experiences welcomed him to J-D.

Approve Tenure Recommendations

Ms. McKenney moved and Mrs. Souser seconded the approval of the following tenure recommendations.

Motion carried. (9-0-0).

Name:  Sarah Babbles
Tenure Area: 7-12 Mathematics
Location: Middle School
Effective: September 1, 2022

Name: Kathryn Byrd
Tenure Area: 7-12 Mathematics
Location: High School
Effective Date: September 1, 2022

Name: Josh Coles
Tenure Area: Music
Location: Tecumseh Elementary
Effective Date: September 16, 2022

Name:  Ashley Finlon
Tenure Area:  K-6 Classroom Teacher
Location:  Jamesville Elementary
Effective Date:  September 1, 2022

Name: Kristen Hefti
Tenure Area: 7-12 English Language Arts
Location: Middle School
Effective Date: September 1, 2022

Name: Megan Keukelaar
Tenure Area: School Psychologist
Location: District
Effective Date: September 1, 2022

Name: Corrine McAuliffe
Tenure Area: K-12 Art
Location: Jamesville Elementary and Moses DeWitt Elementary
Effective Date: September 1, 2022

Name: Molly Schunck
Tenure Area: School Counselor
Location: Tecumseh Elementary
Effective Date: September 1, 2022

Name: Christina Taylor
Tenure Area: Special Education
Location: Jamesville Elementary
Effective Date: September 1, 2022

Name: Nicole Wylde
Tenure Area: Elementary Childhood Education
Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary
Effective Date: September 1, 2022

Name: Alyssa Ascenzo
Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
Location: Tecumseh Elementary
Effective Date: September 1, 2022

Approve Minutes of April 18, 2022 Board Meeting

Mrs. Austin moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the approval of the Minutes of the April 18, 2022 Board of Education meeting. 

Motion carried. (8-0-1) Mr. Zoghby abstained.

Approve Inspectors of Election

Mr. Leach moved and Mr. Zoghby approved the following list of inspectors of election for the budget vote and board of education election on May 17, 2022.

Motion carried. (9-0-0).

Anthony Anello
Wanda Averhart
Dixie Blackley
Erin Brodsky
Benedicte Doran
Tish Hauser
Juli Keeler
Karin Kirnie
Alyssa Marrone
Tina Pollock
Cher Rapp
Kim Schellinger
Linda Schellinger
Adam Soper

Potential Consideration for Future Meetings

Mr. Zoghby asked if kids know ahead of time when they are being recognized, and if we can put their picture up when they are being recognized. Mrs. DeForest said the Board has talked about recognizing the students with providing them a letter.  Mrs. DeForest explained how to go about recognizing people. 

Mrs. Souser asked about emails to the Board versus speaking in person and the resolution of the topic.  She asked if the Board could be provided with the responses. 

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Smith reported to the Board on a power outage at the Middle School which affected the students.  He said the students sheltered in their classrooms and that the hard work and cooperation from the teachers was appreciated.  He thanked Mr. Reyes, the electrical contractor on site, and the construction management team for their work in getting the power restored in a timely manner.

Dr. Smith shared that the new website has been launched with a cleaner design and enhanced navigation features.  He said he appreciated the work of the Capital Region BOCES who worked to get the website accessible and looking professional. 

Dr. Smith reminded the Board and public of the Budget vote and Board of Education election on May 17 in the lobby of the new gym from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Dr. Smith updated the Board on Pre-Kindergarten.  He said the district received 127 responses to the letter of intent.  He said we will be able to open up a fourth classroom at Tecumseh Elementary School which will increase the number of spots available in district and that we are awaiting a response from RECC as to how many spots they will have available.  He said he is exciting about partnering with them again next year.  Dr. Smith said a lottery will be done this week to fill the open seats.  He said the remaining names will be placed on a waiting list. 

Dr. Smith said Mr. Franz has been working on bystander training for all staff and administration.  He said we are still vetting vendors and are hoping to have all staff trained between the first two two superintendent conference days.

Dr. Smith said there is a meeting scheduled at the end of May, with the Town of DeWitt. He will report back to the Board at the meeting in June.  Lastly, Dr. Smith shared 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, race, disability and sexual identity.   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 shared information with the Board on the CNYSBA Annual meeting on May 25 at the Lodge in Skaneateles. She asked the Board to hold the date.  She reminded the Board of the next book study date, which will take place both online and in person before the annual meeting.  Mrs. DeForest provided an advocacy update from the NYSSBA on school nutrition.  She referred to an email from NYSSBA and asked the Board to advocate for kids by sending emails to Senators Gillibrand and Schumer. She invited the Board to share the email with the community.

Mrs. DeForest reported that there are conflicts for Board members for the June 27 meeting.  She proposed combining the June meetings into one meeting. She suggested doing this by moving the meeting from June 6 to June 13.  All business would be moved to this meeting and there would be no meeting on June 27th.  There no objections to this change.

Community Comment Time #2

There were no comments.

Unfinished and Continuing Business

Mr. Leach will follow-up with Dr. Smith regarding the facilities committee and a walk through.  Mr. Gross checked to see that all Board members have had an opportunity to speak with the auditors from the State.  He is in the process of scheduling a meeting for the audit committee. 

At 9:20 p.m., Mrs. Souser moved and Dr. Archer seconded the adjournment of the meeting.  

Motion carried. (9-0-0).

Respectfully submitted,
Peter C. Smith
Acting Clerk of the Board

BOARD APPROVED:  May 23, 2022