Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mrs. Austin
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Dr. Corcoran
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mr. Zogbhy (attended remotely)
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: Autumn Keefe, Izzy Vaverchak, Jona Breland, Martin Kuci, Amanda Aitken, Frank Wang, Nikhil Suryadevara, Matthew Radford, Matthew Trivelpiece, Victoria Payne, Brook McBennett, Emma Cottet, Hannah Anderson, Anna Smith, Cam Moynihan, Claire Trevisani, Solomia Koval, Kailah Mahshie, Jenna Torok, Kelly Greeley Hickey, Athan Cirman, Carson Souser, Riley Kim, Michael Fitzpatrick, Asma Hasan, Evan Buchanan, and Malcolm Britz.
Mr. Gross called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the District Office.
At 6:01 p.m., Mrs. Austin moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment history of certain persons.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
At 6:37, Mrs. James Murad moved, and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn to public session.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
At 7:00 p.m., Mr. Gross called the public session of the meeting to order.
Red Ram Recognition
Mr. Gross recognized Holocaust Remembrance Day, which was January 27, 2024, Black History Month during the month of February and the Lunar New Year which was celebrated on February 10, 2024.
Mr. Gross also recognized and congratulated the following:
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- Pramiti Adhikari, Mari Balayan, Emma Button and Siobhan Yung from Jamesville Elementary for placing 3rd in the Junior Micron Robotics Challenge at the MOST
- Fifth and Six grade students at the JDMS and the High School Music Department at the HS for their presentations of the musicals, Annie at the MS, and 9 to 5 at the HS. Gross also thanked the cast, crew, faculty, parents, and caregivers for their work and help in these entertaining productions.
- Inductees into the JD Athletics Hall of Fame, Class of 2024: Mary Cooper-Hartzog, Michelle Blum, Bernard Blunt, Jordan Evans, Coach Joe Roach, 2010 Boys Lacrosse Team, and 2011 Boys Lacrosse Team. He also recognized and congratulated Wrestling Coach, Paul LeBlanc who is being recognized by the Syracuse Hall of Fame. The ceremony for the JD Athletics Hall of fame will take place on May 11 at 11:00 a.m.
- Winners of the Scholastic Arts Competition which is currently on display at Onondaga Community College. JD ceramics students earned 4 gold keys, 5 silver keys and 7 honorable mentions.
Lastly, Mr. Gross shared dates of upcoming final games/matches for winter sports and encouraged all to attend.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Community Comment Time
There were no comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mrs. James Murad moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to approve the following consent agenda:
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- Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments
- CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Internal Claims Auditor’s Report
- Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations
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Motion carried. (9-0-0).
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – February 12, 2024
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Tamara Budgeon, Regular Substitute, K-6 Classroom Teacher
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- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary School, replacing K. Lewis
- Salary: $25,384.00, prorated (B1)
- Certification: No certification
- Effective: January 30, 2024, through June 30, 2024
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Name and position: Donna Oppedisano, Regular Substitute, Social Studies Teacher
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- Location: High School, Replacing M. McGee
- Salary: $32,438.17, prorated (B6+M-34)
- Certification: Permanent Social Studies, 7-12
- Effective: January 25, 2024, through June 30, 2024
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Change in Status
Name, position, location, change and effective date:
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- Kathalyn Brazie, ENL Teacher, Middle School, additional class, everyday (second semester) $8,504.00
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Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Diane Ennis, School Counselor, High School, June 30, 2024
- Susan Fahey Glisson, School Library Media Specialist, Tecumseh and Jamesville Elementary Schools, June 30, 2024
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Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Spring Coaching – 2023-2024
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Jeffrey Ike, Co-Ed Unified Basketball Coach, $942.00
- Courtney Keough, Co-Ed Unified Basketball Coach, $907.00
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NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Dinean Bird, Part-time Teacher Aide, Jamesville Elementary School, February 23, 2024
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Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – February 12, 2024
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Vincent Smith, Maintenance Worker II, Maintenance Department, February 9, 2024
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Approve Minutes of the January 29, 2024, Board Meeting
Mr. Baxter moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the January 29, 2024, Board Meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0).
Board Policies, Second Reading
The following policies were brought to the Board for a second reading:
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- 6190 – Workplace Violence Prevention Policy Statement
- 7440 – Student Voter Registration and Pre-Registration
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Mrs. DeForest moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to approve Board Policies 6190 and 7440.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Approve Town of DeWitt Request for Use of Buses at Operation Graduation
Dr. Smith explained the annual request to use District buses for transportation of students to the after-ball party. He said the district is happy to approve this request and that he appreciates the efforts of Operation Graduation.
Dr. Corcoran moved and Dr. Archer seconded the motion to approve the Town of DeWitt’s request for the use of buses for Operation Graduation.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
There was none.
Budget Discussion: Tax Levy Limit and Non-Instructional Budget, Mr. Bartlett
Mr. Bartlett shared a presentation on the 2024-25 budget, including an update on expected revenue and the non-instructional budget. Mr. Bartlett explained how the budget development process is tied into the Strategic Plan and the four focus areas. He said next up is a revenue update including State Aid and the instructional budget.
(See Supplemental Minutes).
Treasurer’s Report, Mr. Bartlett
Mr. Bartlett shared the Quarterly Treasurer’s Report. Dr. Smith said that as we will begin to share the Treasurer’s Report monthly, it will be moved from Reports to the Consent Agenda.
(See Supplemental Minutes).
Assistant Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Franz
Mr. Franz provided the Board with the 20-week Impact Report and reminded the Board that the Impact Report is anchored with our Strategic Plan. He reviewed the focus areas, data points and state indicators for the 20-week mark. Mr. Franz shared 20-week celebrations and compared them to last year. The celebrations included improvements in attendance, academics, social emotional wellness, and a reduction of disproportionality across racial groups in student conduct. Mr. Franz explained that the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) model was used to measure our work and he shared the 2023-2024 goals. Lastly, he shared the other work being done to support the needs of students and staff including training of all staff in culturally responsive and sustaining education practices, a partnership with BOCES to provide CR-SE training during Superintendent’s Conference Days, working with Syracuse University Study Council Community of Practice to help find ways to increase student belonging, and a Mid-State Regional Partnership that comes together through our PPS Department to explore disproportionality referrals and suspensions for our students with IEPs. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith provided the Board with a report on year four of the 20-25 Strategic Plan and a 2023-2024 mid-year update on his District goals. For year four of the Strategic Plan, Dr. Smith reviewed each task and provided an update and examples on progress in each area. Dr. Smith took questions on the year four tasks.
Dr. Archer stated that it was an incredible letdown that the district would not be hiring an additional administrative role devoted solely to equity, while at the same time adding four SRO’s to the budget. Dr. Smith explained, when he was reporting on each task, that due to budgetary constraints, the district would not be able to support an additional administrative role. He said that there has been a tremendous amount of work that has been done and is continuing to be done and that the 24-25 budget will dedicate significant resources to continue work on equity-based initiatives including a continuation of the contract with the Metro Center for Innovation and Equity.
There was a discussion among the Board regarding the administrative role devoted to equity.
Dr. Smith updated the board on progress toward the 2023-24 Superintendent Goals. The goals are to Address Inequity, Data Based Decision Making/Multi-tiered Systems of Support, Recruiting and Retaining Staff/Mentor-Mentee Program, and Building Redundancy and Cross Training in the Business Office. He shared each goal and how success of each would be measured.
Dr. Smith said the mid-year ThoughtExchange ended this past Friday, and he will be sharing the results in March.
Dr. Smith took a moment to recognize the recent High School musical production of 9 to 5, which had almost 100 students taking part in. He said it was an incredible showing of what goes on at J-D, the choreography, singing, acting, costumes, stage crew, lighting, sound, set changes, etc. He said the production is led by a number of different professionals, which gives our students a meaningful experience. He gave a shoutout to all the adults involved including, Jordan Berger, producer; Kelsey Deyo, director; Jestina Drake, vocal director; Dan Blumenthal, pit director; Dylan Spencer, sound; Brian Rieger, lighting; and Chelsea Colton, choreography.
Lastly, Dr. Smith shared upcoming events including the upcoming mid-winter recess and the 7th and 8th grade production of Matilda on March 8 and 9.
Committee Reports
Mrs. DeForest reported on the meeting of the Finance Committee on February 5, where they reviewed the updates on state aid and tax levy as presented by Mr. Bartlett. She said they discussed at length the electric bus proposition and wanted to reiterate that because the grant does not align with the timeline for the budget vote and board of education election, we are not stopping work, just changing the timeline of the proposition. Mrs. DeForest said that on January 30, the State Education Department approved the Emergency Lift Project at the High School, and the next step is to collect the bids. Lastly, she reported that the committee was updated on the nine capital projects, and they discussed work on the 2024 referendum.
Board President’s Report
Mr. Gross provided a report to the Board on the February 3 CNYSBA Legislative Forum where local representatives Pam Hunter, Al Stirpe, Rachel May and John Mannion were in attendance for a presentation on the Foundation Aid formula and revenue sources. He said another topic was around the electric buses and how much time and effort is being put into the evaluation of the issues such as working with power companies, architects, bus sales companies, etc. He said the broad spectrum of school districts want to move forward but want to make sure we are incorporating all the necessary factors. He said there will be another session in March where there will be an opportunity to ride on an electric school bus.
Mr. Gross explained that the OCM BOCES Board of Education election will be coming up soon and that we will need to submit our nomination. He said that Marissa Mims, from Fayetteville-Manlius, is currently the representative for Jamesville-DeWitt and Fayetteville-Manlius and that her term is expiring. He said we will need to re-nominate her.
Mr. Gross reminded the Board, and anyone in the community, that the nominating petitions for the Board of Education are now available. He encouraged community members interested in serving on the Board of Education, to reach out for more information.
Student Board Member Report, Mr. Al-Mudamgha
Mr. Al-Mudamgha congratulated the students who were involved in the musical, 9 to 5, and said they did a great job. He also congratulated the winners of Scholastic Awards, specifically in the area of Ceramics, the full list of which is on the website. He thanked Mr. McIntyre, ceramics teacher at the High School, for his work with the students. Mr. Al-Mudamgha said the charity walk-a-thon has been approved and will take place on March 22 and 23. The charity will be voted on by the student body.
Mr. Al-Mudamgha reported on the Lunch Rescue Initiative, and said it is going slow but steady and they are currently looking for people to collect food and bring to the pantries. He reported that Model United Nations will take place on May 11th and that the group is deciding on a charity and speakers. He asked the Board members if they had any suggestions to reach out to him or Mr. Brodsky, the advisor.
Mr. Al-Mudamgha reported that the bell system has been problematic with the bells ringing very long and loud. He is hoping they can be corrected to the correct length and volume.
Mr. Franz shared with Mr. Al-Mudamgha that the Town of DeWitt is looking to connect with groups that could partner on topics such as Earth Day, Arbor Day, community food donations, etc. Mr. Al-Mudamgha thanked Mr. Franz for the suggestion and said he would reach out.
Community Comment Time #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Mrs. DeForest congratulated the National Honor Society for raising $4,000 during the Hoops for Courage fundraiser for Camp Good Days.
At 8:35 p.m., Mrs. Austin moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 3-4-24