Members Present
Dr. Archer (Attended remotely)
Mrs. Austin
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Ms. McKenney
Mr. Zogbhy
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: Muhammed Abdel, Alex Carolin, Graham Kesselring, Aidan Johnson, Will Westpfal, Brayden Rivera, Norah Morris, Britt Strickland, Adam Rigdon, Yavuz Damkaci, Fehmi Damkaci, Daniel Gao, Julia Ziff, Tim Cooper, Will Sharlow, Joey Morgan, Grayson Pitts, Matthew Patalita, Gavin Reid, Kerri McKee, Amy Spitzer, Tracy Parker, Nicole Christian, Molly Anthony, Kelly Colone, Kim Giammichele, Laura Dietz.
Mr. Gross called the Board Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Library of the Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School.
Presentation, Mr. Eldridge, Principal of J-D Middle School
Mr. Eldridge welcomed the board to the middle school and shared a presentation which covered objectives and changes for 2023-2024. He reviewed the topics of Student Voice and Communication, Faculty/Professional Staff Meetings, Committees, Culture of Wellness and Curriculum and Programs. Mrs. McKee gave a brief description of each committee that is working to improve the school. Mr. Eldridge described culture of wellness at the Middle School and also reviewed the curriculum and programs which included the evolution of the master schedule. Each middle school department chairperson presented initiatives and improvement efforts for each department. Ms. Dietz spoke specifically about the dialogue groups. Mr. Eldridge provided examples on how the building was working towards Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as examples of Family and Community Engagement. Lastly Mr. Eldridge shared the State of the Middle School with examples of post construction highlights. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Red Ram Recognition
During Red Ram Recognition, Mr. Gross recognized the following:
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- Partnership of Jamesville Elementary PTA and the District to refurbish the basketball court at Jamesville Elementary School, and
- District Physical Therapists Anne Marie Abt, and Julianne Frechette during Physical Therapy Month.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Community Comment Time
There were no comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mrs. Austin moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
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- Approve Superintendent’s Personnel recommendations and New Substitute Appointments
- Accept CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Accept Internal Claims Auditor Report
- Approve Combined Sports Teams/Wrestling
- Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations
Mrs. DeForest disclosed that she has a family member that is part of the personnel recommendations and said she would like to vote. There was no opposition to her voting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0).
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – October 30, 2023
INSTRUCTIONAL
Change in Status
Name, position, location, change and effective date:
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- Kathalyn Brazie, ENL Teacher, Middle School, additional class, everyday (first semester) $8,504.00
- Julianne Frechette, Physical Therapist, District, move from .8 to 1.0 FTE, October 31, 2023, annual prorated salary of $74,732.13
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Winter Coaching – 2023-2024
Name, assignment and stipend:
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- Scott DeForest, Modified Girls Basketball Coach, $4,045.00
- Sofia Ferris, Modified Girls Volleyball Coach, Volunteer, $0
- James Jones, Jr., JV Boys Head Basketball Coach, $5,145.00
- Lamar Kearse, Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, Volunteer, $0
- Amanda Valentino, Modified Boys Swim Coach, $4,045.00
Resignations- Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Winter Coach – 2023-2024
Name, assignment, and effective date:
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- Brittany Siechen, Girls Modified Volleyball
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, position, location, reason and effective date:
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- Ashlee Childers, Art Teacher, High School, paid parental leave of absence, December 13, 2023 through January 24, 2024
- Megan McGee, Social Studies Teacher, High School, paid adoption leave, February 26, 2024 through April 2, 2024
Resignations
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Laura Bond, Guidance Counselor, High School, November 17, 2023
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
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- Maureen Baker, Substitute Bus Driver, Transp. Dept., $25.50/hr., October 31, 2023
- Allen Hough, Substitute Bus Attendant, Transp. Dept., $15.00/hr., October 31, 2023
- Tammie Mack, Substitute Bus Driver, Transp. Dept., $25.50/hr., October 31, 2023
- Viktor Pechenyi, Substitute Custodial Worker, Custodial Department, $15.00/hr., October 31, 2023
- Paul Shoemaker, part-time Food Service Worker, Cafeteria, $15.70/hr., October 31, 2023, replacing T. Demmon
Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – October 30, 2023
INSTRUCTIONAL
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Winter Coaching – 2023-2024
Name, assignment and stipend:
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- Kristine Wisnieski, Modified Girls Volleyball Coach, $3,294.00
Approve Minutes of October 16, 2023 Board Meeting
Mr. Baxter moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the Motion to approve the Minutes of the October 16, 2023 Board of Education Meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Accept 2022-2023 External Auditor’s Report
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the motion to accept the 2022-2023 External Auditor’s Report, which was presented and discussed at the October 16, 2023 meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0).
Approve 2023-2024 Board Goals
Mr. Baxter moved and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to approve the 2023-2024 Board Goals, which were presented and discussed at the October 16, 2023 meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Board Policies, Second Readings
The following policies were brought to the Board for a second reading:
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- 5630 – Facilities
- 6121 – Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
- 7420 – Sports and the Athletic Program
- 8240 – Instruction in Certain Subjects
These policies were reviewed at the last meeting and brought forward for a second reading and approval.
Ms. McKenney moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the approval of Board Policies 5630, 6121, 7420 and 8240.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Mr. Al-Mudamgha stated that he would like to have a discussion with the Board about the district firewall and how it has been affecting students’ academic work.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith discussed a suggested change in practice brought forth by Mr. Wheeler, Athletic Director. He explained that the district’s current practice has athletes traveling by school bus to any sports competition within New York State. He said this practice has worked well for years, but recently the boy’s lacrosse team travelled to Long Island and there were a number of issues related to that trip. Mr. Wheeler will be making a change to the Athletic Handbook relating to transportation. He said he supports the change and the Handbook will reflect any team qualifying for a state championship will use a coach bus for transportation as opposed to a school bus.
Dr. Smith thanked the Board of Education for supporting his attendance at the New York State School Boards Association Conference. He said that along with the district architects, he presented at the conference on the topic of designing physical spaces to meet curricular and instructional goals. He said he always appreciates the opportunity to brag about our school district to other people and that the presentation was well attended. Dr. Smith shared a few highlights from the conference including a presentation from students in the Buffalo City School District on culturally responsive programming and opportunities taking place in their district, as well as an informative presentation on cyber security.
Dr. Smith talked about the impending shortage of milk cartons across the country. He said that this will affect the district in the foreseeable future. He said the district is exploring what can be done and a communication will go out to families tomorrow. Lastly Dr. Smith shared upcoming events.
Committee Reports
Mrs. Deforest shared a Finance Committee update. She said the committee met on October 23rd and reviewed the 2022-23 budget. She said that due to a shift in revenue and expenses we will not be adding to reserves and that the committee will be reviewing the balances of the reserves at the next meeting. She said Mr. Bartlett provided a document from Questar which helps detail guidelines and rules. She said Mr. Bartlett also updated the committee on the business office training and support. Mrs. Deforest said the next committee meeting is November 20 and new processes and procedures for the business office will be reviewed as well as the budget calendar. The budget calendar will be voted on at the December 4th meeting.
Mr. Zoghby shared a Facilities Committee update. He said the committee met on October 24th and reviewed progress of capital project phase two, social studies office at the High School and softball fields. The committee also reviewed and discussed the safety audit and the recommendations put forth by Armoured One. Mr. Zoghby said the committee discussed cellphone reception at the High School and Moses DeWitt and how to address the issue. He said the IP Paging and Access Control project is waiting for State Education approval and work is expected to begin by the end of the year.
Board President’s Report
Mr. Gross reported on his attendance at the NYSSBA Conference in Buffalo along with Mrs. DeForest and Mrs. James Murad. He thanked the board for allowing them to attend. He said the keynote speaker Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu spoke about recognizing our shared humanity. Mr. Gross said Liz Murray, also a keynote speaker, spoke about the power of mentorship. He shared information on some of the presentations he attended including building the idea of mentorships between new teachers and veteran teachers as well as administrators and work we have been trying to mirror with the disparities in performance of students in different groups.
Mrs. James Murad attended and said it was a great experience and enjoyed seeing the efforts of other districts. Mrs. DeForest reported on some of the presentations she attended including superintendent and board relations and a presentation by Sweet Home Central School District where a student group, called Alliance for Cultural Transformations are doing similar work to our Dialogue Circles. Mr. Gross said next year’s conference will be October 20 – 22 at the New York Hilton in New York City. Lastly, Mr. Gross said he will be sending an email regarding the book study.
Student Board Member Report, Mr. Al-Mudamgha
Mr. Al-Mudamgha provided a report to the Board which highlighted the boys’ varsity volleyball team who have had an undefeated season and are currently ranked number one in the state. He also reported the Pink out volleyball game for charity raised over $2,000 for Upstate Cancer Center. Mr. Mudamgha shared that the Jewish Cultural Club had its’ inaugural meeting which was hosted by Hughie and Avery Stonefish who gave an excellent talk on Anti-Semitism. Mr. Mudamgha shared a report on Dialogue which was written by Stella White, who is a facilitator in the school’s dialogue program. He also reported on Model United Nations first conference at Manlius Pebble Hill and awards received at the conference. Mr. Mudamgha asked the district to reconsider the firewall policy. He said the new internet is slightly faster than the old, but still goes down frequently and that the firewall has made the use of the internet much more difficult. He said the firewall is a serious detriment to learning and is urging the district to reconsider.
Dr. Smith said that there is a district tech log that teachers and staff are aware of. He also said he will be working with the Director of Technology to address this issue. (See Supplemental Minutes for report).
Community Comment Time #2
Brayden Rivera commented that several times over the course of the last three weeks, spoiled milk has been served at the high school.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Mrs. DeForest asked for volunteers to work the concession stands for the Booster Club during the Girls Volleyball sectional finals.
At 8:25 p.m., Mr. Baxter moved and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing the employment history of particular persons.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
At 8:52 p.m., Mrs. James Murad moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn executive session.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
At 8:53 p.m., Ms. McKenney moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: November 13, 2023