Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mrs. Austin
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mr. Leach
Ms. McKenney (attended remotely)
Mr. Zoghby
Ms. Aljerari
Members Absent
Mrs. Souser
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. William Furlong, Interim Business Administrator
Others in attendance: John Baxter, Melinda Dermody, David Babikian, Ciera Patterson, Kate Callahan and Charles Diede.
After a five minute break, Mrs. DeForest called the meeting to order at 8:04 p.m. in the Large Group Room of the High School and via Zoom.
Red Ram Recognition
Mrs. DeForest recognized and congratulated the following during the Red Ram Recognition:
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- The J-D senior students who were inducted into the French and Spanish National Honor Societies, and thanked the advisors, Madame Amankwah and Senora Slade
- Ryan Carter, Anka Chiorini, Hannah Fuchsberg, Rebeca Mendez-Siquier and Alessio Vega who were winners of the Young Playwrights Festival and had their plays performed at Syracuse Stage
- Alessio Vega whose original short play “Opus 9, no. 2” was the winner of the 2023 Blank Theatre Young Playwrights Festival in Los Angeles and whose play will be performed live over a four night period in Los Angeles this summer
Mrs. DeForest recognized and thanked:
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- J-D Teachers for their care commitment, compassion and dedication every day
- J-D School Nurses: Dawn Becker, Heather Cavalluzzi, Dorrie Darcy, Kimberly Kalil, Sue Kimber and Carla Ray for all they do for our students
Dr. Smith shared that Mrs. DeForest and Mr. Gross have both been recognized by the NYSSBA for with a Board Achievement Award for participation in training, workshops, activities and taking on board leadership roles.
Student Board Member Report, Ms. Aljerari
Ms. Aljerari provided the Board with a report which highlighted the recent pep rally where the new mascot made an appearance; Teacher Appreciation Week and the Cooking for a Cause Club. (See Supplemental Minutes)
Community Comment Time #1
Lynn Cortese commented on the Universal Pre-K program at J-D and asked the Board to consider fully funding the program so that all students can attend their home school. She said we need teachers, not security guards.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to approve the following Consent Agenda:
1. Approve Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments
2. Approve Inspectors of Election
Motion carried (8-0-0)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – May 8, 2023
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Kelly Beaudoin, School Psychologist, four year probationary appointment, replacing A. Honsinger
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- Location: District
- Prorated Salary: $64,105.00* (B1+M-57)
- Certification: School Psychologist, in progress
- Effective: August 30, 2023
Name and position: Theresa M. Goad, Guidance Counselor, three year probationary appointment, replacing A. LeStrange
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- Location: High School
- Salary: $76,358.00* (B15+M-45)
- Certification: Permanent School Counselor
- Effective: July 1, 2023
Name and position: Hannah Lucas, Special Education Teacher, four year probationary appointment, (from August 31, 2022), new position
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- Location: Jamesville Elementary
- Salary: $59,589.00* (B2-40)
- Certification: Special Education Teacher
- Effective: August 30, 2023
Name and position: Stacey Piscitell, School Nurse, (.6 FTE), Replacing C. Sierotnik
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- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $4,304.60 prorated through the end of the 2022-2023 school year (B5)
- Certification: Registered Nurse
- Effective: May 9, 2023 through June 30, 2023
Name and position: Eric Toyama, Music Teacher, three year probationary appointment, replacing L. Russell
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- Location: High School
- Salary: $76,000.00 (B-off step+M-30)
- Certification: Permanent Music
- Effective: August 30, 2023
*To be finalized upon completion of the JDFA contract
Request for Leave
Name, assignment, location, type of leave, and effective date:
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- Anna Endreny, Science Teacher, Middle School, unpaid leave, January 22, 2024 through June 27, 2024
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
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- Henry McTernan, Seasonal Grounds Worker, Maintenance Dept., $14.50/hr., May 15, 2023
- Kelsey Rozyczko, Food Service Worker, Food Service, $14.20/hr., part-time, August 30, 2023, replacing D. Kilbride
- Marvin Williams, Custodian I, Custodial Department, $23.03/hr., 52 week probationary appointment, May 23, 2023, replacing D. Haag
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Deborah Kolod, Administrative Aide, PPS, June 30, 2023
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Chiara Armstrong, District Treasurer, District Office, May 2, 2023
- Asia Grimes, School Monitor, High School, April 21, 2023
Approve Minutes of the April 17, 2023 Board Meeting
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mr. Gross seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the April 17, 2023 Board meeting.
Motion carried. (7-0-1) Dr. Archer abstained.
Approve Minutes of the April 25, 2023 Board Meeting
Mrs. Austin moved and Mr. Gross seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the April 25, 2023 Board meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Board Policies: First Reading
The following policies were brought to the Board for a first reading:
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- 7150: Remote Instruction
- 3290: Operation of Motor Driven Vehicles on District Property
- 4310: Superintendent of Schools
Mrs. James Murad reviewed the changes to the policies. The policies will come back to the next meeting for a second reading.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
There were no new topics for potential consideration.
Quarterly Financial Reports, Mr. Furlong
Mr. Furlong shared information on the quarterly financial reports and stated everything is in balance and there is nothing unusual to report. (See Supplemental Minutes)
Assistant Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Franz
Mr. Franz provided the Board with the 30-week Impact Report including data on attendance, course enrollment, referral and suspensions and curriculum calendar. (See Supplemental Minutes for Impact Report Details and Analysis). Mr. Franz shared curriculum updates in the areas of Math and World Languages and forecasted the next areas to be reviewed, Middle School Science and 7-12 ELA. Mr. Franz highlighted a curriculum component from High School Social Studies Department, the Seal of Civic Readiness, which is an additional designation a student receives on their diploma that indicates a demonstration of civic knowledge and civic participation. He reviewed how a student earns this seal as well as the how a Senior Capstone Project could be used to earn the seal. Mr. Franz reviewed the work being done to build positive culture and climate including continued training around restorative justice conferencing and a code of conduct review. There was a discussion surrounding chronic absenteeism. Mr. Franz said that we are in a better place this year than last and he hopes to see a similar trend from now through the end of the school year.
Mrs. McKenney left the meeting at 8:48 p.m.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith reviewed the 2023-2024 Board of Education Meetings Calendar and said it will be brought back to the next meeting for approval. Dr. Smith shared upcoming events including the Budget Vote and Board of Education election on May 16 and a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Middle School, June 6th at 3:30 p.m.
Board President’s Report, Mrs. DeForest
Mrs. DeForest shared important dates including the Board Retreat on May 17. The agenda includes student presentations from various clubs and discussion on their book study. She announced the CNYSBA Dinner on May 24 which, unfortunately, conflicts with the Senior Capstone Project presentations. She asked that all Board members contact Tish to let her know which you will be attending. In addition, she reminded the Board about their role during commencement and asked all to respond to Tish whether they would be attending.
Community Comment Time #2
There were none.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Mr. Zoghby and Ms. Aljerari spoke about the Muslim holidays and how it is difficult to pinpoint the day the holiday is celebrated. Ms. Aljerari suggested the possibility of a mental health week during this time where the work flow is decreased so that students can take time off to participate in their religious holiday without it affecting their school work.
At 8:58 p.m., Mr. Zoghby moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Respectfully submitted
William Furlong
Interim Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: May 22, 2023