Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mrs. Austin
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mr. Leach
Ms. McKenney
Mrs. Souser
Mr. Zoghby
Ms. Ajerari (Student Board Member)
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Furlong, Interim Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Hailey Webber, Bishop Dr. H.B. Alex, Blaise Anthis, AJ Sumida, Jasmine Ho, Daejah Shannon, Grace Hobika, Paige Baker, Macy Durkin, Adrianna Giruzzi and Nathaniel Wales.
Mrs. DeForest called the Board Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the District Office and via Zoom.
Red Ram Recognition
Mrs. DeForest recognized and congratulated:
-
- Daniel Skewes for being selected as a delegate for the 2023 Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (Syracuse Delegation
- Music educators and students preparing this celebration of talent and cultural history through Music
- High School Art Department and Mr. Brodsky for their participation in the Million Tree Art Show which raised over $800.00 for trees to be planted through Trees for the Future.
- Richard Calagiovanni, graduate of J-D, and former WCNY producer who was recently recognized by Syracuse.com for making our region a better place
Community Comment Time #1
None
Approve Consent Agenda
Mrs. Souser moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the approval of the Consent Agenda.
-
- Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and New Substitute Appointments and Addendum
- Approve Agreement for Purposes of Retirement
- CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Internal Claims Auditor’s Report
- Accept Tax Collector Report
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – December 19, 2022
INSTRUCTIONAL
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, assignment, location, type of leave and effective date:
-
- Kelsey Froass, Speech Language Pathologist, Tecumseh Elementary School, Parental Leave, paid and FMLA, April 27, 2023 through June 23, 2023
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Jamesville Elementary School – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- Mary Ewing, AM Student Supervision, Prorated to $365.80 (January 3, 2023 – June 30, 2023)
- Mary Ewing, PM Bus Supervision, Prorated to $365.80 (January 3, 2023 – June 30, 2023)
Extra Duty Assignment – Winter Coaching – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- David Beseth, Varsity Wrestling Coach, Volunteer*
* Pending completion of the certification process
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
-
- Kathleen Clark, Substitute Trainer, Transportation Department, $31.00/hr., December 20, 2022
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Philip Luckette, Information Systems Coordinator, District, March 31, 2023
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Colleen Moran, Teacher Aide, Jamesville Elementary School, December 8, 2022
- Tracy Vogt, Custodial Worker I, Custodial Department, December 23, 2022
Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – December 19, 2022
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointment
Name and position: Cynthia Montross-Tipa, Teaching Assistant, Probationary Appointment (4 years), new position
-
- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $30,978 prorated to $18,122.13
- Certification: TA Level III
- Effective: January 3, 2023
Change in Status
Name, position, location, change and effective date:
-
- Kathalyn Brazie, ESL Teacher, Middle School, Additional Class, ($10,765.55), November 28, 2022
Approve 2023-2024 Budget Calendar
Mr. Gross moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the approval of the 2023-2024 Budget Calendar.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Approve Additional Bank Depository: New York Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System (NYCLASS)
Ms. McKenney moved and Mr. Gross seconded the approval of the following resolution:
Municipal Cooperation Resolution
WHEREAS, New York General Municipal Law, Article 5-G, Section 119-o (Section 119-o) empowers municipal corporations [defined in Article 5-G, Section 119-n to include school districts, boards of cooperative educational services, counties, cities, towns and villages, and districts] to enter into, amend, cancel, and terminate agreements for the performance among themselves (or one for the other) of their respective functions, powers, and duties on a cooperative or contract basis;
WHEREAS the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District wishes to invest portions of its available investment funds in cooperation with other corporations and/or districts pursuant to the NYCLASS Municipal Cooperation Agreement Amended and Restated as of March 28, 2019;
WHEREAS the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District wishes to satisfy the safety and liquidity needs of their funds;
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District add NYCLASS as an official depository of the District and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that Jean Carter, Treasurer of the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District, is hereby authorized to participate in the NYCLASS program under the terms of the NYCLASS Municipal Cooperation Agreement Amended and Restated as of March 28, 2019.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Minutes of December 5, 2022 Board Meeting
Ms. McKenney moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the approval of the Minutes of the December 5, 2022 Board Meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-1) Dr. Archer abstained.
Approve Professional Services – 2023 Building Condition Survey
Mrs. Souser moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the approval of the proposal to Provide Professional Services – 2023 Building Condition Surveys and Five-Year Plan. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Motion carried (9-0-0)
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Mrs. DeForest reviewed the top three items for future consideration and said that safety which was rated top priority, will be discussed at this meeting as well as the next meeting. She said COVID and pandemic interventions and impact on student learning will be discussed at the February 27th meeting and athletics and coaching assignments will be discussed at a future meeting.
Board Discussion – Safety, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith provided a presentation on safety for board discussion. Dr. Smith reviewed the SRO Task Force design principles from fall of 2020 and next steps that were proposed at the time. He reviewed the current safety and security measures as well as additional preventative measures in place or in progress, and additional considerations from the Board. He summarized and there was discussion based on questions and comments from the Board. Next, Dr. Smith reviewed additional considerations for improved safety as well as the Task Force data comparing an SRO to other roles such as School Monitor, School Guard, Peace Officer and Special Patrol Officer as well as a list of daily tasks of an SRO. Next Dr. Smith shared qualitative feedback from students of color regarding the presence of an SRO in the high school. Nine students had been interviewed and given the goal of an SRO to protect students and increase school safety. The students were asked if the goal was accomplished if they felt comfortable, safe and if there was an impact on learning or the ability to make connections with other adults. Lastly Dr. Smith shared comparative information in J-D’s comparison schools, benchmark schools and against other schools in the region. Dr. Smith took questions from the Board, discussion followed. Mrs. DeForest stated that the goal is to build consensus on next steps for the next meeting. Following board discussion it was decided that Dr. Smith would gather additional information and provide a cost analysis and where the monies would come from, for each of the different roles (school monitor, school guard, peace officer, special patrol officer, school resource officer, security firm and pricing from a consultant). In addition, Mrs. DeForest asked for information on what other districts that do not have SRO’s and what they put into place to feel enhanced, and how do they train staff. Dr. Smith will get information from the equity council which meets tomorrow. Mr. Leach stated he would like to come back to the meeting in January with the information and make a recommendation. (See Supplemental Minutes).
At 9:00 p.m., the Board took a five minute break.
Mrs. DeForest called the meeting back to order and asked for a motion to move the Student Board Member Report up in the agenda.
Mrs. Souser moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to move the Student Board Member Report to the next item.
Motion carried (9-0-0).
Student Board Member Report, Ms. Aljerari
Ms. Aljerari provided the Board with a report which included information on the Student Constitutional Convention, the success of the DECA Club and their upcoming regional competition, and Thinkstitute, the student led tutoring and volunteering service. (See Supplemental Minutes).
At 9:12 p.m. Ms. Aljerari was excused from the meeting.
Asst. Superintendent’s Report, School Climate Survey, Mr. Reyes
Mr. Reyes provided the Board with a presentation on the 2021-2022 School Climate Survey. He said the Climate Survey is a key piece of the data used to evaluate progress on the strategic plan. Mr. Reyes reviewed the background of School Climate which was rolled out in December of 2018 by NYSED based on NY’s ESSA plan. He reviewed Panorama which was the 2021 pilot which was selected and administered by J-D. Mr. Reyes explained the lessons learned from the pilot, reviewed the changes to the administration of the 2022 survey and provided a plan for communication to parents and staff. Mr. Reyes then reviewed an outline of both the student survey and family survey and provided a sample of a survey question. He said a district level analysis was conducted over the summer at the administrative retreat which focused on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Next Mr. Reyes reviewed the work being done in each building based on the results of the School Climate Survey as well as how the Board used the information at their retreat. Lastly, Mr. Reyes reviewed items that will be addressed in improving the survey as well as the outcomes wanted. (See Supplemental Minutes).
At 9:27 p.m. Mrs. Austin was excused from the meeting.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith said that at the next meeting, he will be presenting the results of the Thoughtexchange survey on communications. Dr. Smith shared specifics on the High School Assistant Principal Search Plan starting with publicizing the opening in early January and ending with a Board appointment in February/March, and a start date as soon as possible. Next Dr. Smith reviewed student absence data and said that the daily average rate for all schools is above 90% rate each day in December. He said that though there is an increase in illness amongst students and staff, it is not significantly impacting attendance rates. Lastly, Dr. Smith shared upcoming events.
Committee Reports
Dr. Archer reported that the budget calendar was set at the last Finance Committee meeting. Mr. Furlong reported that the committee reviewed the first part of the budget, the Debt Schedule and will be reviewing this at the next Board meeting.
Board President’s Report, Mrs. DeForest
Mrs. DeForest asked that all Board members complete the self-evaluation she is sending out, by January 13th so that data can be reviewed at the January 23rd meeting. She said Dr. Smith will report reflection after mid-year, when the second semester begins and the Board will conduct their mid-year evaluation in February. Mrs. DeForest will be launching a board handbook feedback form tonight to help prioritize the next steps. Mrs. DeForest clarified dates and times for the upcoming Game Day at the High School.
Community Comment Time #2
Rachel Wagner commented on school safety and said the discussion of safety must be inclusive and encouraged the Board to seek out ways to be inclusive and accountable.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Mr. Gross added a Red Ram Recognition thanking the Transportation staff for getting our students back and forth to school safely.
At 9:45 p.m., Mrs. James Murad moved and Mrs. Souser seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0).
Respectfully submitted,
William Furlong
Interim Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: