Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Dr. Corcoran
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mr. Zogbhy
Mr. Al-Mudamgha (Student Board Member)
Members Absent
Mrs. Austin
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Adam VanFleet, Pete Harp, Joanna Harp, Emily Lynch, Joe Woodir, Stephen Fee, Moly Kronenberg, Antoinette Sakellariou, Tiffani Wheeler Downing, Kathryn Downing, Jonna Cosbey, Cheryl Cosbey, Keira McMahon, Malcolm Britz, Arel Moudie, Yolanda Febles, Michael Fitzpatrick, Noah Henrich, Roger Golden, George Theobald, Emily Bulone, Claire Sciacca, Chris Lail, Charlene Lail, Cindy Andreatta, Debbie Cosbey, Tszyau Hui, Emma Miedaner, Sue Jenna, Dian McConnell, Barbara Martin, Janet Robens, Tom Bouyia, Heidi Feathers, Patricia Massa, John Heasley, Vinnie Carroll, Mel Denale, Ramona Denale, Karna Sun, Pineet Kapur,
Mr. Gross called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:00 p.m. at Jamesville Elementary School.
At 6:01 p.m., Mr. Baxter moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to adjourn the Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment history of certain persons.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
At 6:30 p.m. Mr. Baxter moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to adjourn to public session.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
At 7:00 p.m., Mr. Gross called the public session of the meeting to order. Mr. Gross made a statement to the public explaining the purposes and practice for Executive Session and how it is governed by New York State Public Meetings Law. Mr. Gross stated that there was a technical problem with the recording of the meeting of February 12 and the audio for Executive Session was inadvertently posted to the website. He said the audio was immediately taken down once it was discovered. Mr. Gross apologized and said that the district has instituted additional safeguards to ensure that this does not happen again.
Presentation, Mrs. Baker, Principal
Mrs. Baker shared her building presentation. She provided information about the current enrollment and number of staff, curriculum work underway at the school, and the work being done to increase each student’s sense of belonging at school. Mrs. Baker’s presentation included many photos of students and staff with examples of how the sense of belonging is fostered at Jamesville. The examples included school and PTA sponsored activities, connections with OCM BOCES SKATE class, and community involvement. Mrs. Baker said the JES Hero Pledge has changed to reflect “At JES… Everyone Belongs!” Mrs. Baker shared the impact of this work as demonstrated by the dramatic decrease in student conduct issues over the past few years. She said the goal at Jamesville Elementary School is for everyone to belong.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Red Ram Recognition
Mr. Gross recognized Women’s History Month during the month of March and shared the background of the designation.
Mr. Gross also recognized and congratulated the following:
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- Sabrina Scott for organizing the Black History Month Assembly along with the Umoja Club. The assembly highlighted the talents of a number of High School students as well as keynote speaker, Jordan Pierre.
- Varsity sports teams participating in post-season competition: Girls and Boys Basketball, Wrestling, Girls and Boys Indoor Track, Boys Swimming and Diving.
- Section III Championship Teams: Girls Indoor Track, Girls Cheerleading (League Champions) and Boys Basketball (Co-League Champions).
- Student athletes who competed in State-level competition: Cameron Corona (Diving), Shane Gargiulo (Track), Hudson Groat (Track), Ben Kenna (Track), Javere Lopez (Track), Victoria Payne (Track), Kennedy Ridzi (Track), Brayden Rivera (Tack), Antoinette Sakellariuo (Gymnastics), and Will Westpfal (Track).
- National Merit Scholarship Finalists Aaron Sikora and Frank Wang
- Leah Nemi, awarded Joseph Adams Senior Scholarship from the Spanish Honor Society
- Rashelle Torres-Mendoza and Stefanie Cervantes as they head to the Puerto Rican – Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute in Albany to participate in a Mock Assembly meeting later this week.
- Academic Decathlon Medal Winners: Karunmay Aggarwal, Amanda Aitken, Kavya Arasu, Juliana Clark, Yavuz Damkaci, Mona Farah, Asma Hasan, Kaitlin Hougland, Brady Kim, Solomia Koval, Liya Luk, Benjamin Ruckdeschel, Toby Thompson and Jiwon Yim.
Mr. Al-Mudamgha recognized the winners of the Young Playwright’s Festival and said this year was a record year with 25 winners.
Mr. Babikian recognized the swimmers that competed in the State competition.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Community Comment Time
Dr. Archer moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to allow non-agenda topics to be discussed at the first Community Comment Time.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Nadine Wagner, requested to speak but was not in the audience or on Zoom.
Patty Massa, commented in favor of the Town of Onondaga acquiring district owned land in Southwood. She said people invest a great deal of money to live in the district and that the district should invest in our families. She asked for this item to be put on a future agenda.
Christopher Lail commented in favor of the Town of Onondaga acquiring land on Southwood Drive from the Jamesville-DeWitt School District. He said he was raised in Southwood, and it used to be a place for the community to get together. He said it is an empty field now and is past due time to bring this back.
Adam Van Fleet commented in favor of the Town of Onondaga acquiring land on Southwood Drive from the Jamesville-DeWitt School District. He said the Town of Onondaga Supervisor has been trying to reach out to the district to help facilitate this. He would like this put on a future agenda and said the community would appreciate a park in the area.
Pete Harp commented in favor of the Town of Onondaga acquiring land on Southwood Drive from the Jamesville-DeWitt School District. He said he was brought up in Southwood 80 years ago and kids would be at the park every day during the summer. He believes it would be a good thing for kids to have now.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mr. Baxter moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to approve the following consent agenda:
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- Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments
- Approve the Minutes of the February 12, 2024, Board Meeting
- Approve Overnight Field Trips
Motion carried. (8-0-0).
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – March 4, 2024
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Lauren Knuth, School Nurse, part-time (.6), replacing R. Giannone
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- Location: High School
- Salary: $10,336.20 (B4), prorated
- Certification: Registered Professional Nurse
- Effective: March 6, 2024, through June 26, 2024
Name and position: Jacob Graves, Teaching Assistant, four-year probationary appointment, new position.
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- Location: Jamesville Elementary
- Salary: $11,845.86 (B1), prorated
- Certification: Initial Physical Education Certification in progress
- Effective: March 5, 2024
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Spring Coaching – 2023-2024
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Allison Gallagher, Girls Modified Lacrosse Coach, $4,306.00
- Alanna Jones, Girls Varsity Golf Head Coach, $3,108.24
- Dennis Schahczenski, JV Softball Head Coach, $4,950.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School – 2023-2024
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Faithanne Carapella, 5/6 Set Production Design, $1,825.00
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Kymric DiBuono, Teaching Assistant, Middle School, February 26, 2024
- Sara Fraher, Teaching Assistant, High School, March 8, 2024
- Rachel Giannone, School Nurse, High School, February 9, 2024
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- James Tuck, JV Softball Coach, February 26, 2024
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Request for Extended Leave of Absence
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Samantha Kaufman, School Monitor, High School, February 9, 2024, through February 29, 2024
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Homer Brown, Custodial Worker I, Custodial Department, February 23, 2024
Approve Grade Change Configuration to add Pre-Kindergarten to Jamesville Elementary, Moses DeWitt Elementary and Tecumseh Elementary
Mr. Zoghby moved, and Dr. Archer seconded the motion to approve the following Resolution which will change grade configuration to add Pre-Kindergarten to Jamesville Elementary, Moses DeWitt Elementary and Tecumseh Elementary.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Jamesville-DeWitt School District is the recipient of a statewide pre-k expansion grant;
WHEREAS, Section 100.21(c) of Commissioner’s Regulations, the New York State Education Department requires that a school district submit the appropriate forms for Public School Registration for a public school modifying the grade organization;
WHEREAS, The Commissioner’s Regulations also require the district to submit a copy of the Board of Education resolution to submit for the modification of an existing public school;
WHEREAS, each elementary school has demonstrated that the school is operating in an educationally sound manner; following applicable statutes, rules, and regulations relating to public schools; and will continue to operate in accordance with applicable building codes and pursuant to a certificate of occupancy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education does hereby request that the Board of Regents accept their application for each elementary school in the district and named below to modify its grade configuration FROM k – 4 TO pre-k through grade 4.
Jamesville Elementary School, 420411060002
Moses DeWitt Elementary School, 420411060003
Tecumseh Elementary School, 420411060004
The adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows:
Voting: Sharon Archer, Yes
Voting: David Babikian, Yes
Voting: John Baxter, Yes
Voting: Dana Corcoran, Yes
Voting: Lorianne DeForest, Yes
Voting: Joe Gross, Yes
Voting: Renee James Murad, Yes
Voting: Jalal Zoghby, Yes
Voting: Kelly Austin, Absent
This resolution was declared adopted.
Brian Bartlett, District Clerk, March 11, 2024
Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Approve Agreement for 3-year Wide Area Network Resolution
Dr. Archer moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the approval of the following OCM BOCES Agreement:
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR
JAMESVILLE DEWITT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Jamesville Dewitt Central School District (hereinafter referred to as the “District”) desires to enter into a thirty-six month service agreement with the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services (hereinafter referred to as OCM BOCES) in order for the OCM BOCES to furnish certain services to the District pursuant to New York State Education Law §1950(4)Uj), those services being lit fiber for high speed communications services in Co-Ser 601.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of Jamesville Dewitt Central School District agrees to enter into a contract with the OCM BOCES for the provision of said services to the District and not to exceed in total over the life of this agreement the annual amount of $44,500.00 and associated CNYRIC charges with such amount to include annual OCM BOCES support costs and applicable taxes and surcharges, and with such support costs and applicable taxes and surcharges included at the current rate and subject to change as established in the OCM BOCES budget or mandated by any federal, state or local authority.
This amount may be amended with the approval of both parties. The District will be liable to OCM BOCES for early cancellation or withdrawal from this agreement to the same extent that OCM BOCES is liable to any vendor(s) of these services, including liability for applicable penalties or liquidated damages, and the District also be liable for costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, incurred by OCM BOCES as consequence of any such early cancellation or withdrawal. Payment will be made as part of a regular annual OCM BOCES contract for services. Further, this agreement is subject to the approval of the Board of Education of OCM BOCES. This contract will be for a maximum period of thirty-six months commencing on or about July 1, 2024, and continues through June 30, 2027.
Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Approve Agreement for Cooperative Educational Services Comprehensive Alcohol-Drug Abuse Prevention and Education Program (ADAPEP)
AGREEMENT FOR COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
COMPREHENSIVE ALCOHOL-DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION
AND EDUCATION PROGRAM
THIS AGREEMENT, the 1st day of January 2024 by and between the BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES of Onondaga, Cortland and Madison Counties, (hereafter, “OCM BOCES”), and the Jamesville DeWitt Central School District, County of Onondaga, (hereafter, “School District”).
WITNESSETH, that whereas OCM BOCES has been duly authorized to provide services on a cooperative basis and to enter into agreements with local Boards of Education and School Trustees.
NOW, THEREFORE, OCM BOCES agrees to provide the School District the following services during the Calendar Year 2024 under the indicated terms and conditions:
Provide an Alcohol-Drug Abuse Prevention and Education Program in accordance with the Program as outlined under the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Onondaga County Department of Mental Health (BOCES School Districts of Onondaga and Madison County), but only such part of said Program as approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and funded by the State of New York and not to exceed the sum of:
Fifty-Two Thousand Dollars ($52,000.00)
OCM BOCES shall reimburse the School District in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement in sums which will be paid monthly upon presentation of such proper claims as are in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Onondaga County Department of Mental Health and which are in further accordance with the Budget approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and attached to and made a part of this AGREEMENT.
It is further understood and agreed that any expenditures or payments made by the School District and not approved pursuant to the State Audit shall be borne by the School District and said School District agrees to repay OCM BOCES for any such expenditures or payments as may be made from funds advanced by OCM BOCES.
The aforementioned services shall be conducted and completed between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and all specific costs and expenditures of salary, retirement and other expenses shall be in accordance with the approved line-item budget.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, OCM BOCES and the School District have set their hands they day and year above written.
Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Approve 2024-2025 District Calendar
Dr. Smith presented the 2024-2025 District Calendar and explained the changes.
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to Approve the 2024-2025 District Calendar. Dr. Smith indicated the calendar would be posted to the website tomorrow.
Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Mr. Gross proposed discussion of the land in Southwood. He said the discussion should start with the Facilities Committee and Finance Committee. He will be in contact with the committee chairs and will keep the Board updated.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith provided the Board with the mid-year ThoughtExchange results. The District used ThoughtExchange to ask the question, “As we head into the second half of the 2023-2024 school year, please tell us about your biggest success and challenges.” He shared an overview and said there were 343 participants in the survey who contributed 212 different thoughts which were rated 8,749 times. He said parents, guardians and caregivers dominated as participants followed by staff, community members and lastly students. He shared a summary of key words that were contained in the ThoughtExchange as well as the top-rated thoughts. He said the top-rated thoughts were around field trips, antisemitism affecting students and staff, and praise to the district around helping a student who was new to learning English.
Dr. Smith said the ThoughtExchange is using artificial intelligence to theme topics and results as well as suggested responses to the data. He said the top two themes were around student well being and communication, and he shared the highest rated thoughts within those themes noting the successes of each. A few items of challenges were the eight marking periods at the Middle School, more guidance for High School students preparing for college, questions surrounding extracurricular activities and school safety. Dr. Smith said that Mr. Eldridge has proactively addressed the issue of eight marking periods, and it will be reconciled prior to the start of next school year.
Dr. Smith said the full ThoughtExchange results will be posted on the website. He thanked the community for participating and said this gives us good information to finish the year strong and ideas that we need to do moving forward.
Mr. Gross commented that the student participation was low and asked how it was publicized. Mr. Al-Mudamgha said he did not hear about it through school. Dr. Smith said the notices were sent out multiple times and we must rethink how to send them out next time.
Mr. Al-Mudamgha suggested posting on Google Classroom in the future for students. Dr. Corcoran suggested having students take part in the ThoughtExchange, in a specific content area class at the High School.
Dr. Smith shared upcoming events.
Committee Reports
Mrs. DeForest reported on the meeting of the Finance Committee on February 26, where they discussed pilot payments and how it can affect the district’s tax levy and the importance of monitoring any developments with the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency. She reported that the Committee reviewed various capital projects and the landscape of the 2024-2025 budget including challenges that J-D as well as other districts are facing. She said the updated revenue and instructional budget will be presented at the next meeting and is hoping there will be updated state aid information available at that time.
Board President’s Report
Mr. Gross reported that there is an Electric Bus event sponsored by CNYSBA on March 9 in Ithaca. He said the public is invited to this opportunity to hear about the inner workings of electric buses. Mr. Gross asked the Board to mark their calendars for May 22, which is the CNYSBA Annual Dinner. He also reported that there are a number of CNYSBA board openings including two that would represent Jamesville-DeWitt. He asked anyone interested to let him know.
Mr. Gross reminded the Board, and anyone in the community, that the nominating petitions for the Board of Education are available and must be returned by April 22. He encouraged community members interested in serving on the Board of Education, to reach out to any current Board member for more information, or to visit the website.
Student Board Member Report, Mr. Al-Mudamgha
Mr. Al-Mudamgha reported on the happenings with Student Government. He said the Lunch Rescue Initiative is up and running with two bins for unwanted food to be donated to other sources. He said the first delivery to the Jamesville Food Pantry was this past Friday and that this is a great opportunity for volunteer hours as well as community needs. He also reported on the charity walk-a-thon, which will take place on March 22 and 23 and will benefit the charity, Rise Above the Streets. This charity provides food and clothing to underprivileged people in Syracuse. Mr. Al-Mudamgha said the J-D Model United Nations has selected ALS of CNY for their charity and is looking forward to raising a lot of money to donate. Lastly, Mr. Al-Mudamgha said, on a negative note, the Track team competing in the State Competition did not get a coach bus but rode a school bus to Staten Island. He wanted to make the administration aware of this.
Community Comment Time #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There were no unfinished and continuing business.
At 8:24 p.m., Mr. Zoghby moved, and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 3-18-24