Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mr. Leach
Ms. McKenney
Mr. Zoghby
Mrs. Souser
Ms. Ajerari (Student Board Member)
Members Absent
Mrs. Austin
Mrs. James Murad
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Mahunik, Interim Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Shantel Guzman, Alex Battaglia, William Furlong
Mrs. DeForest called the Board Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the board room of the District Office and via Zoom.
External Audit Report
Mark Ciaralli, CPA, and Jaimie Galante, CPA of Grossman St. Amour presented the 2021-2022 independent audit report to the Board of Education. (See Supplemental Minutes for presentation). This report was presented in detail to the Audit Committee and Mr. Ciaralli reviewed the next steps for the board. The auditors expressed an unmodified, or clean opinion, in the District-wide financial statements, which is positive for the District. Ms. Galante reviewed the responsibilities of both the auditors and management as well as control observations and recommendations. She reported on one material weakness in which there is a corrective action plan in place. Ms. Galante also reviewed the audit performed on the extra classroom activities fund and expressed an opinion which is modified for the scope limitation as they deal with cash receipts. She said this is a typical opinion with these statements.
Mr. Ciaralli stated that this was overall a challenging year for the district with the transition in the business office but the District has positive plans for the future and a good team in place. Dr. Smith said all documents will be put in the Board drive and that the audit report will come back to the next meeting for acceptance. Any questions regarding the audit should be directed Dr. Smith and/or Mr. Furlong. Mrs. DeForest thanked Mrs. Murphy for sitting on the Audit Committee as community member.
Red Ram Recognition
Mrs. DeForest shared information on National Bullying Prevention Month and encouraged all to wear and share orange on October 19th to show unity. Mrs. DeForest congratulated Mr. Goldberg, a high school teacher for his publication in the September issue of the English Journal, From Paper Cameras and Polaroids to Smartphones and Streaming. Mrs. DeForest recognized and thanked the High School faculty for their work in putting together the annual Open House and the High School Counseling Staff for their work to organize the Financial Aid and College Planning Night as well as hosting the Eastside College Fair. Mrs. DeForest recognized and thanked the Parent Teacher Associations and the Sports Booster Club for all they do throughout the year. Mrs. DeForest shared that October is National Principals Month and thanked all J-D’s principals. Lastly, Mrs. DeForest thanked Mr. Pete Mahunik for stepping in as the interim Business Administrator over the last few months and sharing his expertise. She said he will be missed.
Dr. Smith read a proclamation from the Governor’s office which recognizes the work of the Board of Education during School Board Recognition Week.
Community Comment Time #1
There were no community comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
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- Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and New Substitute Appointments
- Accept CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Accept Internal Claims Auditor Report
Mr. Mr. Leach moved and Mrs. Souser seconded the approval of the Consent Agenda.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – October 3, 2022
INSTRUCTIONAL
Resignation
Name, position, location, and effective date:
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- Marnie Moss, School Counselor, Middle School, October 24, 2022
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment and stipend:
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- Jacob Brodsky, MUN/Political Affairs Club, $3,172.00
- Jeff Ike, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Jon Mangram, MUN/Political Affairs Club, $3,172.00
- Sue Techman, National Honor Society Co-Advisor, $1,142.00
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Change in Status
Name, position, location, change and effective date:
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- Patricia Kibby, Typist II, from MS to HS, 11 month to 12 month, effective October 10, 2022
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
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- Dinean Bird, Substitute Bus Driver, Transportation, $21.50/hr., effective October 18, 2022
- Douglas Freeman, Bus Driver, 52 week probationary appointment, Transportation, $32.39/hr., effective October 18, 2022, new position
- Karen Hensinger, Substitute Bus Attendant, Transportation, $14.00/hr., effective October 18, 2022
- Christina Lopez, Typist II, 52 week provisional appointment, High School, $17.00/hr., effective October 18, 2022, new position
- Tina Mason, Substitute Custodian, Custodial Department, $13.90/hr., effective October 18, 2022
- David Robertson, Jr., Substitute Bus Attendant, Transportation, $14.00/hr., effective October 18, 2022
- Reginald Stepp, Substitute Bus Driver, Transportation, $21.50/hr., effective October 18, 2022
- Stephanie Wade, Bus Driver, 52 week probationary appointment, Transportation, $32.39/hr., effective October 18, 2022, replacing S. Giaquinto
- Analisa Wedemeyer, Substitute Bus Driver, Transportation, $21.50/hr., effective October 18, 2022
- Ann Young, Account Clerk I, provisional appointment, District Office, $15.25/hr., effective October 24, 2022
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- William Furlong, effective October 18, 2022, replacing P. Mahunik:
Interim Clerk of the Board
Census Enumerator
Records Access Officer
Records Management Officer
Purchasing Agent
Cooperative Health Insurance Fundy of CNY Designee
OCM Workers’ Compensation Consortium Designee
Authorizations
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- To certify payrolls and designation of authorized signature on checks, William Furlong, effective October 18, 2022, replacing P. Mahunik
Dr. Smith introduced Mr. William Furlong who was approved as the Interim Business Administrator and Mr. Furlong read and signed the Oath of Office as Interim District Clerk.
Minutes October 17, 2022
Mr. Gross moved and Mrs. Zoghby seconded the approval of the Minutes of the meeting of October 3, 2022.
Motion carried. (4-0-3) Mr. Leach, Ms. McKenney and Mrs. Souser abstained.
Board Policies – First Reading
The following policies were brought to the Board for a first reading and reviewed:
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- 6160 Professional Growth/Staff Development
- 7410 Extracurricular Activities
- 7540 Suicide
- 7552 Student Gender Identity
- 8330 Objection to Instructional Materials and Controversial Issues
Mr. Gross explained the process of the Board reviewing the Policy Manual. The Policy Committee reviewed the policies which require annual review, and that all changes came from the Policy Service, with the exception of Policy 7410 which was modified to reflect our local attendance rule.
Mrs. McKenney asked for most recent guideline from NYSPHAA regarding Trans athletes.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Mrs. McKenney asked about an afterhour’s phone number at the bus garage. Dr. Smith indicated that he is working with the Director of Transportation to put that in place and will keep the Board updated.
Assistant Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Franz
Mr. Franz provided the Board with a report on the Grade 3 through 8 New York State Assessment Scores. The report included measurement of work, short term and long term impact for ELA and Math, trends for 3-8 ELA and Math, uses of data in the classrooms/schools as well as the next steps. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith shared a construction update with the Board. He said that most construction is done after school hours which creates a challenge associated with labor, but he said that regardless, good progress is being made. Dr. Smith shared pictures of the redesigned Moses DeWitt entrance and explained the security and safety protocols for the new entryway. Dr. Smith shared pictures of the Middle School. He said that there have been significant delays with the locker rooms due to structural issues but the work is now progressing. He also said the library construction is well underway and is expected to be completed by January 2023. Work in house 1 continues. He said the tilework and floors are expected to progress during the time students are not in the building. Dr. Smith said the work at Jamesville Elementary School is mostly complete with the bathrooms under construction. Lastly, Dr. Smith reported that progress continues to be made daily, most significant work is done and the cafeteria will be done at the end of the month.
Dr. Smith updated the Board on enrollment. He said there has been a spike in the numbers in second grade students at Tecumseh and that he has a meeting scheduled this week to discuss what can be done to help the teachers with the needs of the students. He will bring recommendations to the Board. Dr. Smith said they have information from the enrollment study with recommendations. He said we are looking at how we can accommodate and be more equitable to our ELL learners and is anticipating a recommendation by the New Year.
Dr. Smith provided a technology update and said most issues with student accounts have been resolved, the print server has been rebuilt, and that we are making progress getting back online. He said the technology department is now dealing with the backlog of general technology issues and he appreciates the work of the department in working through these issues.
Dr. Smith shared information surrounding how the US Department of Education follows ESSA Law and how New York State submits how they hold schools accountable. He said there has been a change in the way New York State identifies schools. Dr. Smith said that as a Superintendent who believes in a continuous improvement model, it is nice to see the State Education Department mirror that as well.
Dr. Smith shared upcoming events.
Committee Reports
Mr. Gross reminded the Board that information on the audit will be in the Board folder soon and if there are any questions, please go through either Dr. Smith or Mr. Furlong. In addition, he said another committee meeting will be scheduled to reaffirm the charter of the Audit Committee as part of policy.
Ms. McKenney mentioned that she appreciated the auditors’ comments that district administration was easy to work with and that they provided all information requested in a timely manner.
Board President’s Report, Mrs. DeForest
Mrs. DeForest said she heard back from Mr. Dorsey from the CNYSBA and they are in preliminary conversations with Dr. Theoharis about the possibility of a part two of the book study or another cohort. She said the options will be brought to the Board in a survey with possible dates. She also said CNYSBA will be having upcoming roundtable events and she will look for those dates.
Mrs. DeForest reminded the Board of the upcoming NYSSBA conference and said she will send the program to the Board with an entire list of offerings. She asked for members to let her know what topics are most relevant to our Board and what they would like more information about. She also said registration is still open for anyone that is interested.
Mrs. DeForest reported that the November 17th public forum will cover the topic of post covid/pandemic and how to best support our students as they are coming back to school. It was decided that the public forum will be fully remote to be more accessible for all.
Mrs. DeForest shared upcoming events with the Board and noted that there will be an Art Show on November 16th that will take place at the same time as the High School Band and Orchestra Concert. She congratulated senior athletes as they are wrapping up their fall seasons and reminded all that the next meeting will be at Moses DeWitt Elementary School.
Student Board Member Report, Ms. Aljerari
Ms. Aljerari also congratulated the senior athletes and said there have been many notable accomplishments among the athletes.
Community Comment Time #2
There were none.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Mrs. DeForest mentioned that this week is National School Bus Safety and asked the community to be aware of the buses traveling throughout the community and thanked the bus drivers for all they do on a regular basis.
Mr. Zoghby asked about the previous discussion surrounding the Verizon tower being put on school property and whether we have made a decision. He said he believes it’s a good idea and that the income generated could benefit many programs including arts, music and sports. Dr. Smith reported that he has been made aware of another opportunity from Verizon where smaller and less obtrusive antennas would be placed on our building. He said we would still receive income and that he is waiting to hear back from Verizon.
Mr. Zoghby asked where we stand on the number of SRO’s in the buildings. He said we are the only district with one SRO. He asked if we feel confident with one SRO. Dr. Smith responded that we are putting together a process to make sure we make an informed decision.
At 8:45 p.m., Mrs. Souser moved and Mr. Zoghby seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
William Furlong
Interim Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: November 7, 2022