Members Present
Dr. Archer (attended remotely)
Mrs. Austin
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad (attended remotely)
Ms. McKenney
Mr. Zogbhy
Mr. Al-Mudamgha (Student Board Member)
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Michelle McPeak, Ava Revercomb, Mark Duby, Mohammed AbdelAziz, Margery Haber, Betsy Porter, Ali Al-Mudamgha, Rabbi Irvin Beigel, Jane Beigel, Solomon Vaknine, Michael Cynamon, Sharon Van Stry, Sophia Caputo, Maria Vinci, Amanda Schleicher, Michael Fitzpatrick, Colin Walrath, Miley Carter, Noah Ransier
Mr. Gross called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. in the library of Tecumseh Elementary School.
Presentation of the Proposed Changes to the District Safety Plan, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith presented the proposed changes to the School District Safety Plan. The district will accept comments on the plan through January 7, 2024. The Board will vote to adopt the revised Safety Plan at the January 8, 2024, meeting. The plan can be found on the district website and comments should be sent to Dr. Peter Smith, Superintendent at psmith@jd.cnyric.org.
Dr. Archer asked for follow-up on access to buildings, specifically referencing the District Office entrance and the proximity to classrooms.
Community Comment Time
Ali Al-Mudamgha commented in favor of SROs at each building and said he was part of the original Safety Committee that met for months to look at SROs in schools. He said the Committee voted overwhelmingly in favor of SROs in each building, but the vote was not unanimous. He said the recommendation to the Board was that the Committee did not reach a unanimous decision. He feels that this recommendation for an SRO in each building is spot on and that it is embarrassing that we don’t have one in each building.
Lyn Cortese commented on the addition of SROs at each building and suggested that forced interaction with an SRO could be a barrier to a student’s success. She urged the Board to vote no to the addition of an SRO in each building.
Rachel Wagner commented against the addition of SROs at each building and proposed a list of questions she suggested the Board demand public answers to, prior to approving the District Safety Plan.
Tiffany Gratien commented in favor of SROs in each building and shared positive reasons to have SROs. She said that this is not happening fast enough and at the end of the day, she wants the students and staff safe.
Quinn Gratien commented in favor of SROs in each building and said that we need someone to protect us and keep bad people from coming into the school. She said an SRO in the building would make her feel so much safer.
Amanda Schleicher commented in support of adding SROs to each school and said she appreciates the changes thus far but questions the logic of whether you believe you need one or not. She said you can’t pick and choose who needs one. She said studies show SROs make schools safer.
Rami Al-Mudamgha, student Board member commented in support of SROs in each school and addressed the criticism surrounding not adequately surveying the students. He said that every High School student had received a survey regarding the school resource officer from him. He doesn’t understand why it has taken five years for SRO’s to be placed in all buildings.
Dr. Archer stated that the last comment was out of order and said that it does not represent the Board of Education.
At 7:43 p.m. Ms. McKenney moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn the Public Meeting.
Motion carried. 9-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 1-8-24