Members Present
Dr. Archer (attended remotely)
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: Dr. Arthur Haber, Margery Haber, Sharon VanStry, Carolyn Shoen, Jane Beigel, Rabbi Irvin Beigel, Michael Fitzpatrick, Quantese Tearney, and Guet Majak
Mr. Gross called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the District Office.
Red Ram Recognition
Mr. Gross congratulated and recognized the following:
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- Upcoming Young Playwright’s Festival as well as an article on Syracuse.com which featured three alumni from J-D, Clayton Reynolds, Alice Yi and Althea Shirilian-Howlett. Each student had their short plays performed at Syracuse Stage. He also congratulated Mr. Phillips, who has worked with students for the last 15 years to submit work to the festival.
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- Poetry Out Loud Winners Anadia St. John, first place winner and Brielle Rivera, second place winner. He wished them luck as they move onto the regional competition later in February.
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- Senior Elbethel Berhane, who was honored at the 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at Syracuse University. Ms. Berhane was recognized for her work with SCORE, People in Action, and her volunteer work teaching children in the Amharic language.
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- Junior, Jishan Lamichhane raised almost $1,500 to clean up the Base Camp at Mount Everest. The money was delivered to a local organization in Nepal for the clean-up.
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- Boys Varsity Volleyball Team who will unveil the New York State Championship Banner on January 31. He thanked the community for their support, as well as Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter and State Senator John Mannion who are expected to be in attendance.
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- First Grade Teacher at Moses DeWitt, Ms. Elizabeth DeLaRoca who recently published her first book called Sal the Snowball. The story is about patience, friendship, and love of self.
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- All students and staff who took part in the recent “Hoops for Courage” game where funds were raised for Camp Good Days. The camp supports children and families who have been touched by cancer and other life-threatening challenges. He thanked Mrs. Diane Ennis and Mrs. Sue Techman who helped facilitate the event through the National Honor Society.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Community Comment Time
Mr. Gross asked for a motion to allow non-agenda items to be commented on during the first community comment time.
Mrs. Austin moved, and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to allow non-agenda items to be commented on during the first community comment time.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Jane Beigel was called. She asked to speak last.
Quantese Tearney was called. She passed on her request to speak at this time.
Rabbi Irving Beigel commented on antisemitism. He asked for the Board to recognize that Jews are a minority and to extend the concerns of DEI to students and staff.
Jane Beigel commented that she has not heard from any board member regarding condemning the terror attacks on October 7 except for Rami Al-Mudamgha. She said she is working with a local group called End Antisemitism Now.
Approve Consent Agenda
Dr. Archer disclosed that she has a family member on the Personnel Recommendations and that she would like to vote if there were no objections. There were no objections.
Mrs. DeForest and Mr. Babikian 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
Motion carried. (8-0-0).
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – January 29, 2024
INSTRUCTIONAL
Request for Extended Leave of Absence
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Kimberly Lewis, K-6 Elementary Teacher, Moses DeWitt, unpaid leave of absence, March 9, 2024, through June 30, 2024
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Megan Johnson, ENL Teacher, Tecumseh Elementary School, February 23, 2024
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- James DaRin, English Teacher, High School, June 30, 2024
- Laurie Fabian, FACS Teacher, Middle School, June 30, 2024
- Cynthia Heaslip, School Library Media Specialist, Middle School, June 30, 2024
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2023-2024
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Kathryn Byrd, Lunch Duty, $919.50 (1/2 year stipend), effective January 29, 2024
- Paul LeBlanc, Lunch Duty, $473.25 (1/4 year stipend), effective January 29, 2024
Resignation Extra Duty – Extended Teaching – High School – 2023-2024
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Eugene Sul, Lunch Duty, effective January 29, 2024
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Spring Coaching – 2023-2024
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- David Archer, Boys JV Lacrosse, Head Coach, $6,200.00
- Jamie Archer, Boys Varsity Lacrosse, Head Coach, $9,406.00
- Solomon Bliss, Boys Varsity Lacrosse, Asst. Coach, $5,825.00
- Jeffrey Cantor, Varsity Softball, Head Coach, $6,084.00
- Charles Clinton, Boys Modified Lacrosse Coach, $5,659.00
- Christopher Constantino, Boys Varsity Asst. Coach, $6,285.00
- Joseph Corridori, Boys Modified Track Coach, $3,933.00
- Christian Daly, Boys JV Lacrosse, Asst. Coach, $4,766.00
- Ryan Dera, Varsity Baseball, Head Coach, $6,984.00
- Patrick Gillette, Boys Varsity Track, Asst. Coach, $4,719.00
- Joseph Goldberg, Boys JV Tennis, Head Coach, $3,990.00
- Courtney Keough, Girls Modified Lacrosse, Volunteer, $0
- Paul Krause, Varsity Softball, Asst. Coach, $4,259.00
- Daniel Law, Boys Modified Lacrosse Coach, $5,587.00
- Jessica Lavelle, Girls JV Head Lacrosse Coach, $5,145.00
- John Lenish, Girls Modified Track Coach, $3,167.00
- Carly McNaney, Girls Varsity Lacrosse, Asst. Coach, $4,845.00
- Megan Murphy, Girls Varsity Lacrosse, Head Coach, $7,745.00
- Parker Noble, Varsity Track, Asst. Coach, $3,695.00
- Stephanie O’Rourke, Girls JV Lacrosse, Asst. Coach, $4,573.00
- Joshua Paduano, Varsity Baseball, Asst. Coach, $3,843.00
- Tracy Parker, Girls Varsity Lacrosse, Asst. Coach, $4,845.00
- Alexandria Payne, Varsity Track, Asst. Coach, $3,695.00
- Melissa Quinn, Girls Modified Lacrosse Coach, $5,321.00
- Nancy Raicht, Girls Varsity Track, Head Coach, $5,602.00
- Emily Rowles, Boys Varsity Track, Head Coach, 6,473.00
- Dennis Schahczenski, Modified Softball Coach, $4,243.00
- Brendon Schunck, Modified Baseball Coach, $3,108.00
- Patrick Scullion, Boys Modified Lacross Coach, $5,512.00
- Samantha Siderakis, Girls Modified Track Coach, $3,167.00
- Eugene Sul, Boys Varsity Tennis, Head Coach, $5,702.00
- Kayla Sweeney, Girls Modified Lacrosse Coach, $4,306.00
- Kurt Sweeney, Boys Modified Track Coach, $3,501.00
- Eric Toyoma, Modified Softball Coach, $3,230.00
- James Tuck, JV Softball Coach, $4.230.00
- Paul Valentino, Modified Baseball Coach, $4,893.00
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary, and effective date:
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- Emma Carlton, Substitute Bus Attendant, Transportation Department, $15.00/hr., January 30, 2024
- Lynette Mason, Custodian 1, provisional appointment, Custodial Department, $23.72/hr., January 30, 2024, replacing D. Warner
- Conor O’Leary, Guard, 52-week probationary appointment, High School, $16.50/hr., January 30, 2024, replacing J. Block
- Vincent Smith, Jr., Maintenance Worker II, 52-week probationary appointment, Maintenance Department, $25.00/hr., January 30, 2024, replacing L. Mason
- Jennifer White, part-time Teacher Aide, Moses DeWitt, $15.20/hr., January 30, 2024, replacing J. Erickson
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Lynette Mason, Groundskeeper, Maintenance Department, January 29, 2024
Termination
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Craig Tanner, Bus Attendant, Transportation, January 22, 2024
Approve Minutes of the January 8, 2024, Board Meeting
Mr. Baxter moved, and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the January 8, 2024, Board Meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0).
Approve Board Member to Fill Vacant Position
Mr. Gross made a motion to appoint Dana Corcoran to serve the remainder of the term of office for Lisa McKenney. Mr. Baxter seconded the motion.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Dr. Corcoran joined the Board at the table and read her sworn oath of office.
Accept $60,000 Grant in Aid
Dr. Smith thanked Assemblywoman Pam Hunter for Grant in Aid received to support the purchase of sound equipment for the middle school and to replace scoreboards in the High School main gym. Dr. Smith explained that the Board needs to accept the grant and approve a resolution to appropriate the aid into the approved 2023-2024 budget. Mr. Bartlett confirmed that the money was received.
Mr. Babikian moved, and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to accept $60,000 in grant aid to purchase equipment for the Middle School musicals and scoreboards at the High School.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Approve Resolution to Appropriate Aid into the 2023-2024 Budget
Mrs. Austin moved, and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to appropriate the $60,000 in grant aid into the approved 2023-2024 district budget.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Approve District Calendar Change
Dr. Smith shared background on the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8 and said this is a significant national event with the path of the eclipse right over Syracuse. He said that discussions have been taking place for a year on how schools will respond. Dr. Smith is proposing to move the scheduled Staff Development Day from March 15 to April 8. This will be a workday for staff with no loss of instruction days. He said we are working with BOCES to get educational materials for students and families to help understand and view the eclipse safely.
Mrs. DeForest moved and Mr. Babikian moved to approve a district calendar change to move the March 15 Staff Development Day to April 8.
Motion carried (9-0-0)
Dr. Smith stated a communication notifying families of the change, will go out tomorrow.
Board Policies, First Reading
The following policies were brought to the Board for a first reading:
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- 6190 – Workplace Violence Prevention Policy Statement
- 7440 – Student Voter Registration and Pre-Registration
Mrs. James Murad explained that Workplace Violence Prevention has been a law in New York State but has not applied to school districts. She said the law has been amended to require school districts to adopt a policy and implement other provisions to meet legal requirements.
Mrs. James Murad said policy 7440 has been changed to set forth access to voter registration material for students.
The policies will come back to the next meeting for a second reading.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
There was none.
Budget Discussion: Preliminary Revenues and Expenses, Mr. Bartlett
Mr. Bartlett shared a presentation on the budget development process, 24-25 preliminary revenues, key expense drivers, propositions for the ballot and important calendar dates. Next meeting, Mr. Bartlett will provide a revenue update including tax levy finalization and the non-instructional budget.
(See Supplemental Minutes).
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith provided the Board with a report on the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures which was created in 2019 to examine New York State graduation requirements. The initiative was developed to create equity in New York State public education and to ensure New York students gain knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in future endeavors. Dr. Smith said the process was broken into two phases: Phase One which was information gathering and learning, and Phase Two, which was developing recommendations. Dr. Smith shared the following twelve recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission:
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- Replace the three diploma types with one diploma with the option for seals and endorsements.
- Diploma credit requirements
- Ensure access to CTE, including internships and work-based learning opportunities.
- Move to a model that organizes credit requirements into larger categories.
- Reduce and/or modify diploma assessment requirements to allow more assessment options.
- Create state developed rubrics(s) for any performance-based assessments allowed as an option for diploma requirements.
- Create more specific, tailored graduation requirements to address unique circumstances of certain groups of students.
- Allow discretion for posthumous high school degrees.
- Provide exemptions from diploma requirements for students with significant cognitive disabilities and major life events.
- Require all New York State teacher preparation programs to provide CR-SE practices and pedagogy.
- Require professional development plans to include CR-SE practices and pedagogy.
- Review and revise the New York State Learning Standards.
Dr. Smith shared the next steps which are for the Board of Regents to begin policy discussions related to graduation measures and how to accomplish this work. He said he believes this is a long-term, multi-year rollout and there will be much more information to come.
Dr. Smith shared upcoming events which include the Middle School Grade 5/6 musical, Annie, next weekend, and the High School musical, 9 to 5, February 8 to 10. He said tickets are available online for the High School musical. He again thanked Assemblywoman Pam Hunter for helping purchase the equipment to enhance the sound for the production at the Middle School. Dr. Smith said petitions for board membership are available in the District Office starting February 1, and a mid-year ThoughtExchange will go out to families and staff, to check on how we are doing at the halfway point of the year.
Committee Reports
Mrs. DeForest provided a report for the Finance Committee and said that at the last meeting, they reviewed the grant in aid which was approved at this meeting, the status of several current capital projects and the propositions that will be on the ballot in May. She said the next meeting is February 5.
Mrs. James Murad reported for the Policy Committee and said that in addition to the two policies that were presented for a first reading, the Committee is continuing to review the policy handbook to make sure they are aligned with what we are doing in the district. Specifically, Mrs. James Murad said the Superintendent is the spokesperson for the district and the Committee is reviewing a matrix to give the Superintendent guidelines when the district comments on events not specifically school related.
Board President’s Report
Mr. Gross provided the Board with a follow-up to the Board retreat which included the continued book discussion and the mid-year self-evaluation. He commended the Board for their attention to the ethics and rules of being on the Board and then pointed out an opportunity in the area of advocacy in upcoming budget discussions with the Legislature.
Mr. Gross reported that the electric bus demonstration through CNYSBA, which was scheduled for last weekend was cancelled due to the fact the Governor’s proposal was much different than anticipated. He said the CNYSBA refocused their attention on the upcoming Legislative Forum on February 3, to be held at OCM BOCES. He said it is a great opportunity with presentations on current topics such as budget proposals, and work around zero emissions initiative. He encouraged anyone interested to attend.
Mr. Gross reminded Board members that when as a Board, responses are made to community comments, the responses should go through the Board President or the Superintendent.
Student Board Member Report, Mr. Al-Mudamgha
Mr. Al-Mudamgha reported on student government news and said they are working on a walk-a-thon, which is awaiting approval. He said the mental health day was cancelled due to a lack of student interest, but they are working on another mental health topic, service dogs and will get more information to the Board.
He reported that Karun Aggarwal, Amanda Aitken, and Mr. Lawson are working with Cicero-North Syracuse to duplicate a program that is taking place at that high school. The program, called the Lunch Rescue Initiative, donates unopened and uneaten food to a local food pantry. He said they have been in contact with Jamesville Food Pantry and are currently looking for a High School advisor to help facilitate this group. Dr. Smith suggested balancing out the donation to the DeWitt Food Pantry, as this pantry is in our district as well.
Mr. Mudamgha said the musical is coming along and the students are working very hard practicing. He reported that the all-gender bathrooms are now open and are very clean and nice. He asked the Board to consider adding the renovations of the bathrooms near the attendance window to a future capital project, as they are in dire need of updating. He said there is a Student Council meeting next Wednesday.
Community Comment Time #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Mr. Gross stated that the Superintendent’s evaluation is usually done mid-year. He said that Dr. Smith is planning on presenting his progress on his goals at the next meeting and the Board will do the evaluation after that time.
Mr. Gross said that typically, the Board meets in Executive Session following the Board meetings at the buildings. He said it has been discussed that the Board meet in Executive Session prior to the meeting at the building at 6:00 p.m., before the start of the business meeting.
It was decided that the Board will meet at 6:00 p.m. for Executive Session prior to the next Board of Education meeting on February 12, 2024, in the District Office.
At 8:23 p.m., Mr. Babikian moved, and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 2-12-24