Members Present
Mrs. Austin
Mrs. DeForest (attended remotely)
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mr. Leach
Ms. McKenney
Mrs. Souser
Mr. Zoghby
Ms. Ajerari (Student Board Member)
Members Absent
Dr. Archer
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Furlong, Interim Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Julia Bennett, Shahina Alibekova, Daniela Arevalo-Leyva, Sean Rigdor, Braden McVicker, Luke Centore, Carly Boanagan, BethAnn Smith, Christine Henderson, Lisa Pucker
Mr. Gross called the Board Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Large Group Room of the High School and via Zoom.
Presentation, Mr. Lawson, Principal
Mr. Lawson welcomed the Board to the High School and began his presentation with a highlights video from Ramfeed, a student club which brings daily news and information to the school community in a video format. The video highlighted different ways that the school represents community. Mr. Lawson’s presentation covered topics of the methodology of his Decision Framework, Building Goals, Strategic Alignment, and Student Support. Mr. Nylen gave an overview of Student Governance including monthly meetings and objectives. He also said that on December 9 over 30 students will meet in a constitutional convention to address ways to give equitable voice to all students. He said the goal is to create a constitution for the High School. Mrs. De Jesus reported on the JEDI Council which stands for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and is open to all student clubs. The work of this council is to build a process for students to provide opinions and for the administration to receive advisement, which in turn educates our teachers. Lastly, Mr. Lawson provided information on upcoming events such as GameDay events, celebrating the upcoming musical, The Prom, Black History Month, and finally publishing an AP Policy and Procedures Manual.
Red Ram Recognition
Mr. Gross recognized the J-D High School students and staff in the involved in working together to make a Thanksgiving feast. He thanked Mr. Eldridge and the JDMS staff for facilitating speaker Chris Sargent “The Sleep Guy” who met with students, staff, and then presented to families on the importance of sleep. Mr. Gross recognized and congratulated the many sports teams and athletes representing J-D being named to the Empire League All-Star Teams, including Boys’ Golf, Girls’ Soccer, Boys’ Soccer, Girls’ Cross Country, Boys’ Cross Country, Girls’ Tennis, Girls’ Volleyball, and Boys’ Volleyball. Mr. Gross recognized and congratulated Grace Culligan, Ebun Oguntola and Alessio Vega for participating in the All-State Music Ensemble. Mr. Gross shared that on December 10th, a presentation of Dasher’s Magical Gift will take place at the OnCenter Crouse Hinds Theater and J-D student Connie Zhang will perform as Dasher. Mr. Gross also recognized Ben Catania a graduate of J-D, who was selected as the winner of a contest recognizing his design of an artificial intelligence-driven health platform to assist in physical therapy. Avery and Hughie Stone Fish, J-D graduates, were recognized for The Arts Project Syracuse, which brings art and music programs to urban city communities.
Community Comment Time #1
None
Approve Consent Agenda
Mrs. Souser moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the approval of the Consent Agenda.
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- Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations, Addendum to the Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments
- Approve Minutes of the November 21, 2022 Meeting
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – December 5, 2022
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointment
Name and position: Courtney Sierotnik, School Nurse, (.6 FTE); Replacing M. Scanlon
- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $14,618.88 – prorated for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year (B1)
- License: Registered Nurse
- Effective: December 13, 2022 – June 30, 2023
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
- Daniel Glazier, K-6 Elementary Teacher, Middle School, June 30, 2023
- Meryl Ziegler, Teaching Assistant, Moses DeWitt, January 6, 2023
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
- Katherine Hayes, Part-time Food Service Helper, Food Service, $14.14/hr., replacing A. Granan, December 6, 2022
- Barbara Mattison, Substitute Bus Attendant, Transportation, $14.00/hr., December 7, 2022
- Hande Salman, Part-time Teacher Aide, Tecumseh, $14.14/hr., replacing M. Simone, December 6, 2022
Termination
Name, position, location, and effective date:
- Cierra Phoenix, Teacher Aide, High School, November 15, 2022
Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – December 5, 2022
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointment
Name and position: Catherine Lederer, Teaching Assistant, probationary appointment (4 years), New position
-
- Location: Tecumseh
- Salary: $19,695.00 – prorated for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year (B1)
- Certification – Teaching Assistant Level 1 (in process)
- Effective: December 6, 2022
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
-
- Sarah Arnold, Teacher Aide, 52-week probationary appointment, Tecumseh Elementary, $14.14/hr., replacing N. Berk, December 6, 2022
- Kyle Roberts, Custodial Worker I, 52-week probationary appointment, Custodial Department, $18.30/hr., replacing D. Warner December 20, 2022
Board Policy – Second Reading
The following policy was brought to the Board for a second reading and reviewed:
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- 8320 Textbooks, Library Materials, and other Instructional Materials
Ms. McKenney moved and Mrs. Souser seconded the approval of Board Policy 8320 Textbooks, Library Materials and other Instructional Materials.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Mr. Gross reported that based on the survey sent out to Board members, the top three priority items are school safety, impact of covid, and athletic coaching assignments. He also said that at the next meeting, December 19th, there will be an extended discussion on school safety.
Assistant Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Franz
Mr. Franz presented the Board with a 10-week impact report and explained the shift to provide action on the data that has been collected over the last 40 weeks which is the goal of this presentation. He introduced Ms. Beth Ann Smith and Ms. Christine Henderson, both of whom serve as Teacher’s on Special Assignment supporting our elementary ELA program. He said they have been instrumental in all things elementary ELA including, a significant curriculum lift, ongoing professional learning to support teacher’s instructional practices and pedagogy and knowledge on how kids learn how to read. Mr. Franz reviewed the district’s mission, crosswalk of focus areas, data points and ESSA Indicators. Ms. Smith, who works with grades primarily with teachers in grades K-2, reviewed what it means to be a skilled reader and the learning process. Ms. Henderson, who primarily works with teachers in grades 3 to 5 reviewed the areas of language comprehension and word recognition and explained the steps to skilled reading. Mr. Franz then reported 10-week data on attendance, BIMAS Metrics, and referrals. Mr. Franz thanked Dr. Smith and the Board of Education for bringing Dr. Goodrum to speak at the Public Forum. He said the components she spoke about surrounding restorative practices are tightly aligned to what we are doing to support students. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Dr. Smith took a moment to recognize Ms. Smith and Ms. Henderson for the hard work that they have been doing to propel the district forward in the area of K-6 English language arts curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith provided the Board with a construction update including photographs. He reported at the High School the new darkroom is not completed but is operational and students are using the space. He said the STEAM wing is near complete with the exception of some finishing touches, the drawing and painting rooms are being used and the photo studio and printing and matting rooms are close to operational. Dr. Smith shared photos of the ceramics room with a working kiln, and said a second kiln will be installed in February or March. Dr. Smith shared photos of the sensory room and two public bathrooms at Jamesville Elementary School and reported that they are nearing completion. Next, Dr. Smith shared photos of the Middle School work, including the locker room, which he said is in a state of disrepair, and explained the challenges surrounding the floor and the work to rebuild. Dr. Smith shared photos of the progress in the middle school library and said he expected occupancy in early 2023. Lastly, he reported on the flex learning space in House 1 and said the ceilings, tilework and floor work are nearing completion and is anticipated to be done over December break.
Dr. Smith shared a monthly attendance report by building specifically showing changes in monthly attendance rates. He said there were no conclusions drawn and the data we have shows monthly attendance above 90%. He said he will keep an eye on those numbers but right now we are not keeping with the national and state trends. In addition, Dr. Smith said he received a letter from the NYSDOH and SED which said respiratory viruses have tripled over the past few weeks which is putting pressure on hospitals and the medical system. The DOH and SED provided common sense precautions to help fight the spread including staying up to date on vaccines, washing your hands, staying home when not feeling well and wearing a mask. Lastly, Dr. Smith shared upcoming events which are on the district calendar.
Board President’s Report, Mr. Gross
On behalf of Mrs. DeForest, Mr. Gross gave the Board President’s Report. Mr. Gross shared with the Board and the public, the ThoughtExchange topic, Family and Community Engagement. He said it is available through December 9th and encouraged all to offer a thought and to rate the thoughts already shared as it is great feedback for the district. Mr. Gross reported the results of the survey for the book study and said the Board voted on Culturally Responsive Teaching and Brain by Zaretta Hammond. He said the book study will take place via zoom and will not be open to the public.
Student Board Member Report, Ms. Aljerari
Ms. Aljerari provided the Board with a report which included information on community activities, the International Food Fair/Fundraiser, Guest Speaker Dr. Jay Golden hosted by Model United Nations Club, the High School musical The Prom and its message of acceptance and representation, and Dasher’s Magical Gift with J-D students Connie Zhang and Camila Valladares taking part in the performance. Lastly, Ms. Aljerari shared future works at the High School including a Charity Drive by the National Honors Society and a coat drive for refugee families in need via the Refugee Outreach Club. (See Supplemental Minutes for presentation).
Community Comment Time #2
None
Unfinished and Continuing Business
At 9:12 p.m., Mr. Leach moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment history of particular persons.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
At 10:13 p.m., Mrs. James Murad moved and Ms. Austin seconded the motion to adjourn Executive Session.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
At 10:14 p.m., Mrs. Souser moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
William Furlong
Interim Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 12/19/22