Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mrs. Austin
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Ms. McKenney
Mr. Zoghby
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: Celia Linkiewicz, Wade Almstead, Laney Bort, Paige Kinahan, Karla Wade, Evie Keefe, Nikki Militi, Riley Markert, Red Langley, Andrew Cottet, Will Westpfal, Daniel Gao, Daksh Maini, Trent Hughes, Danny Diel, Shane Gargiulo, Brayden Rivera, Nathan Cottet, Rashelle Torres-Mendoza, Elbethel Berhane, Josie Dittman, Stephen Militi, Stella White, Sylvia Min, Moksha Adhikary, Shreya Acharya, Audrey Zumbuhl
Mr. Gross called the Board Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the District Office.
Motion to Amend Agenda
Mr. Baxter moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the motion to amend the agenda to include a resolution to approve a five year contract with OCM BOCES for technology services.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Red Ram Recognition
Mr. Gross presented Red Ram Recognition and thanked all the students in attendance at the meeting. Mr. Gross shared photos from the J-D website from the start of school. He wished a Happy New Year to the Jewish Community and congratulated the J-D Girls Varsity Tennis Team for the participation in a recent tournament which raised over 330 pounds of food for Food Bank of CNY. Mr. Gross recognized the High School Physical Education Teachers who spent the first few days of school training all high students in hands-only CPR. Mr. Gross shared important dates in connection with voting and the general election as well as other recognitions including National Arts in Education Week, International Week of the Deaf and National Suicide Prevention Month. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Community Comment Time
Mr. Gross indicated that there was a request to speak at Community Comment Time, but the person requesting to speak changed their mind.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mr. Babikian moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
-
- Approve Superintendent’s Personnel recommendations, Substitute Re-Appointments and New Substitute Appointments
- Accept CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Approve Internal Claims Auditor Reports (See Supplemental Minutes)
- Approve Revised Standard Work Day Resolution for Employees (See Supplemental Minutes)
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Amy Farmer, Regular Substitute K-6 Classroom Teacher, replacing: C. Snow (1 year leave)
-
- Location: Jamesville Elementary School
- Salary: $53,450.21 (B6) – prorated
- Certification: Initial Childhood 1-6, in progress
- Effective: September 19, 2023 – June 30, 2024
Name and position: Katherine Ward, K-6 Classroom Teacher, replacing K. Singletary, three-year probationary appointment from September 6, 2022
-
- Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
- Salary: $58,946.14 (B6-M+27) – prorated
- Certification: Professional Childhood 1-6
- Effective: September 19, 2023
Change in Status – 2023-2024 School Year
Name, position, location, change and effective date:
-
- Colleen Paige, Occupational Therapist, District, from Provisional to 52-week probationary appointment, September 19, 2023
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – 2023-2024
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- Heather Cavalluzzi, District Nurse Manager, $5,180.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2023-2024
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- Margaret Byrnes, A.M. Bus Supervision, $1,286.00
- Susan Harris, A.M. Bus Supervision, $1,286.00
- Brent Paris, HS Musical Set Construction, $2,331.00
- Brian Rieger, HS Lighting Design, $2,331.00
- William Sauve, esports Team Advisor, $3,108.00
- William Sauve, P.M. Bus Supervision, $1,286.00
- Sabrina Scott, Kente Club Advisor, $907.00
- Linda Slade, HS Spanish Club Advisor, $924.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Jamesville Elementary School – 2023-2024
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- Sheila Schweitzer, Bus Duty, A.M., Pre-K, $643.00
- Gina Silverman, Bus Duty, P.M., Pre-K, $643.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School – 2023-2024
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- Keith Bryant, MS Light and Sound, $1,584.00
- Anna Endreny, Sustainability Club Advisor (.5), $453.00
- Kristen Hefti, 7/8 Student Council – Problem Solving, $924.00
- Maria Koster, MS Musical 7/8 Producer, $907.00
- Maria Koster, Sustainability Club Advisor (.5), $453.00
Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Susan Kimber, School Nurse, Jamesville Elementary, December 2, 2023
Resignations
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Katherine Ward, Regular Substitute K-6 Classroom Teacher, Tecumseh Elementary, September 18, 2023
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
-
- Ait Said Abdelhafid, Substitute Bus Driver, Transportation Department, $25.50/hr., September 19, 2023
- Zoey Baker, part-time Food Service Worker, Cafeteria, $15.70/hr., September 19, 2023, replacing D. Kilbride
- Christie Bixler, Administrative Aide, 52-week probationary appointment, PPS Department, $17.75/hr., October 15, 2023, replacing J. Shute
- Johanna Erickson, part-time Teacher Aide, Moses DeWitt, $15.20/hr., September 26, 2023, replacing J. Ribarovski
- Hongling He, District Treasurer, 52-week probationary appointment, District Office, $62,000.00, October 2, 2023, replacing B. Mulhern
- Lee Howard, Substitute Custodian, Custodial Department, $15.00/hr., September 19, 2023
- Tracy Lewis, Substitute Bus Attendant, Transportation Department, $15.00/hr., September 19, 2023
- Rachel Reichel, Administrative Aide, 52-week probationary appointment, High School, $17.75/hr., September 26, 2023, replacing J. Isserlis, position changed to 11 month clerical
Change in Status – 2023-2024 School Year
Name, position, location, change and effective date:
-
- Gloria Natale, Deputy Treasurer, 52-week probationary appointment, District Office, from Administrative Aide at Middle School, $46,000.00, September 11, 2023, new position
- Laura Shaver, Cook Manager, 52-week probationary appointment, Cafeteria (MS), from Cook I, $20.54, September 19, 2023, replacing J. Wheeler
Request for Leave
Name, position, location, type of leave and effective date:
-
- Brian Myers, Custodian II, Custodial Department, Intermittent FMLA Leave, August 27, 2023 through August 26, 2024
Resignations
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Leo Falter, Custodian II, Custodial Department, September 29, 2023
- Katherine Hayes, Food Service Helper I, Cafeteria, September 5, 2023
- Samantha Mellan, Teacher Aide, Middle School, September 8, 2023
- Heather Welling, Teacher Aide, High School, August 31, 2023
Approve Minutes of the August 21, 2023 Board Meeting
Ms. McKenney moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the August 21, 2023 Board Meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-1) Mrs. DeForest abstained.
Approve Minutes of the August 28, 2023 Board Meeting
Mrs. Austin moved and Dr. Archer seconded the approval of the Minutes of the August 28, 2023 Board Meeting.
Motion carried. (6-0-3). Mrs. James Murad, Ms. McKenney and Mr. Zoghby abstained.
Approve Resolution Authorizing Settlement of Vaping Litigation
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the Motion to approve the following Resolution Authorizing Settlement of Vaping Litigation:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF VAPING LITIGATION
WHEREAS, the Board of Education (the “Board”) of the Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District (the “District”) previously authorized the District Superintendent to take all steps necessary to join a nation-wide lawsuit by school districts against Juul Labs, Inc. the largest seller of e-cigarettes in the United States and Altria Group, Inc. formerly known as Phillip Morris Companies, Inc. (the “Lawsuit”); and
WHEREAS, in or about January 2023, counsel for Juul Labs, Inc. and counsel for the plaintiff school districts reached an agreement in principle to resolve all claims against Juul Labs, Inc., as well as its corporate representatives (the “JUUL Settlement”); and
WHEREAS, the JUUL Settlement did not include the resolution or dismissal of any claims as against defendant Altria Group, Inc. formerly known as Phillip Morris Companies, Inc. (the “Altria Claims”); and
WHEREAS, following extensive negotiations, counsel for Altria Group, Inc. and counsel for the plaintiff school districts have reached an agreement in principle to resolve the Altria Claims (the “Altria Settlement”); and
WHEREAS, the Altria Settlement provides, in relevant part, that in exchange for a full release of claims against Altria Group, Inc., the District will receive monetary remuneration in the amount of $4,305.00 (the “Settlement Amount”) to be paid promptly upon the execution of all necessary settlement documentation and obtaining of all necessary court approvals.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District hereby ratifies the Altria Settlement, a copy of which is incorporated into the minutes of this meeting, and authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to take any further actions necessary to effect the settlement authorized herein.
ADOPTED this 18th day of September 2023 by a roll call vote as follows:
Yes: 9; No: 0; Abstain: 0
Motion carried. (9-0-0).
Approve Resolution to Enter Into a Five Year Service Contract with OCM BOCES
Ms. McKenney moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to approve a Resolution to enter into a five year service contract with OCM BOCES to furnish services for classroom technology, library automation and other instructional technologies.
Motion carried. (9-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
2023-2024 District Goals, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith presented the 2023-2024 District Goals, asked for feedback and said they will be brought back to the next meeting for approval. He said all goals are based on the Strategic Plan and reviewed each of the four goals: 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. In addition, Dr. Smith reviewed the progress of the 2023-2023 District Goals. (See Supplemental Minutes)
Development of Board of Education Goals, Mr. Gross
Mr. Gross indicated that he would be using the same format when reviewing the development of Board of Education gals.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Mr. Gross emailed to the Board, the current running list of topics for consideration and asked if anyone had anything to add to the list.
Ms. McKenney requested to add mental health and how that plays into safety.
Dr. Archer requested to add Math Curriculum, with a particular focus on Pre-K through Grade 8.
Mrs. DeForest requested to add Athletics and the hiring processes, evaluations of coaches.
Dr. Smith said he put a calendar of Board of Education meeting reports, into the Board folder last week.
Ms. McKenney suggested the topic of evaluation of extra-curricular advisors.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith shared enrollment numbers and said there are an appropriate number of sections for the start of school, with the exception of one area of concern, second grade at Moses DeWitt. He said this is in a development phase and that he will be looking at adding support to this area in the future. Next he shared information on the changing numbers of students at each elementary school, as a result of the ENL program moving to their home buildings. He said he will be monitoring the success of the move throughout the year. Dr. Smith reported on the decline in enrollment numbers and the impact and forecast over the next five years. Dr. Smith shared continuing construction updates including pictures of before and after at the High School as well as picture updates for the softball complex at Lyndon Fields. Dr. Smith reported that Governor Hochul has passed legislation to add the Asian Lunar New Year as a new school holiday. He said that the date will move on the calendar from year to year, and this year, February 10, 2024 is a Saturday. He said projecting forward, it will be on the calendar next year and the next two years will possibly be part of the February break. Lastly, Dr. Smith shared upcoming events including homecoming week at the High School, Yom Kippur and upcoming curriculum nights.
Committee Reports
Mr. Zogbhy reported that the Facilities Committee met on September 12. He said Phase 1 is moving quickly now with a few punch list items to be hopefully completed by January 1. He said that as reported earlier, the wall in the High School has been rebuilt and most of the work is being done after school. He reported the monies from the Smart Schools Bond Act are being used for the new public address systems in the buildings and that the building control upgrades are being extended from the Middle and High Schools to the elementary schools as well.
Mr. Baxter reported that the Town of DeWitt is committed to building sidewalks, but there is no time frame set yet. He said Town will cover the cost of the sidewalks that will run from the Unitarian Church to the Greek Church and that the District will be responsible for extending a small section of crosswalk near the bus loop at Tecumseh Elementary School.
Mr. Zogbhy reported that the committee is reviewing the safety audit as part of the safety plan and is working with the District to prioritize recommendations.
Board President’s Report
Mr. Gross reported on the Board Retreat which took place on August 28. He said the retreat was opened with an exercise based on the Myers Briggs personality types and discussed the current Board and the different natures of each member. In addition, the first section of the book, Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, by Zaretta Hammond was discussed. Mr. Gross reported on Opening Day which was open to all staff. Mr. Gross said that along with Mrs. DeForest and Mrs. James Murad, he will be attending the upcoming NYSSBA Annual Conference on October 26 through 28 and will be reporting back to the Board afterwards. Mr. Gross also reported that along with District leadership, he met with District Equity Council and they are working to connect the work of the Board and Council as we move forward. He said there is a meeting next week and he will report back to the Board with more information. Lastly, he reminded the Board of the NYSSBA webinar taking place tomorrow on the topic of school shootings and lessons we can learn. He encouraged anyone available to attend.
Dr. Smith mentioned that he will be doing a presentation at the NYSSBA Conference along with Ashley McGraw on the capital project that was done, specifically at the Middle School. Mr. Gross said he was happy that our District is able to present at the Conference and share lessons learned.
Student Board Member Report, Mr. Al-Mudamgha
Mr. Al-Mudamgha shared his first report with the Board. He congratulated Aaron Sikora and Frank Wang for making it to the semi-finals of the Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. In addition, he recognized Anuskha Joardar for being published in the Royal Society of Chemistry and Yavuz Damakci for being published in the International Journal of High School Research. Mr. Al-Mudamgha reported on the recent inaugural meeting of the student government which was designed entirely by students. He said the student government discussed ways to improve life at the High School as well as plans to improve school navigation. Next, he reported on the recent JDHS Activity Fair which he said is the best way for new students to become acquainted with the offerings at the High School. Lastly, Mr. Al-Mudgamgha reported on athletic accomplishments individually as well as by teams. (See Supplemental Minutes)
Community Comment Time #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There was no unfinished and continuing business.
At 8:01 p.m., Mr. Baxter moved and Mr. Zoghby seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: October 16, 2023