Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. Cortese
Mrs. DeForest
Mrs. James Murad
Dr. Lei
Mrs. Scott
Mr. Zoghby
Members Absent
Mr. Ghanim (Student board member)
Administration Present
Dr. Woodcock, Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Others in attendance: Dylan Gifford, Arjun Viswanathan, Chase Dera, Yahir Torres-Mendoza, Nahvie Reed, Aaliyah Anderson, London Tearney, Sha’Geonah Brown, Rachel Dong, Ellie Downing, Aveleen Collins, Yoofi Eghan, Michael Fitzpatrick
Dr. Archer called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Library at Jamesville Elementary School and via YouTube Livestream Link.
At 6:01 p.m. Mrs. Cortese moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss the negotiations update, legal updates and employment history of particular persons.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
At 7:04 p.m., Mrs. Cortese moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to adjourn Executive Session.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
At 7:08 p.m., Dr. Archer called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order.
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to amend the agenda to add the following three items under New Business: Approve an MOA for the JDAA, approve an MOA for the JDFA and approve a settlement for a family of a student with disabilities.
Motion carried. (8-0-0). Mrs. Scott stepped out of the meeting for a moment and was not part of the vote.
Presentation, Jamesville Elementary, Mrs. Baker, Principal
Mrs. Baker’s presentation began with an update on numbers of staff and students at Jamesville Elementary School. Next, Mrs. Baker shared information on the building’s math planning including what was looked at, focused on, how the work was done and teacher feedback. Mrs. Baker also shared information on Building Level Team, also referred to BLT, which focuses on family connections, as well as the overview and plan for where Jamesville Elementary is headed this year.
Mrs. Baker took questions from the Board.
(See Supplemental Minutes for Presentation)
Red Ram Recognition
Dr. Archer welcomed the senior government students in attendance at the board meeting. She recognized the following three students from Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School for winning multiple top awards at the Future City Middle School Competition: Siobhan Yung, Olivia Zhang, and Pramiti Adhikari. She said she was very proud of them.
Dr. Woodcock said she attended the musical Footloose and that it was phenomenal.
Community Comment Time #1
There were no comments.
Consent Agenda
Mrs. Cortese moved, and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
1. Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute
Appointments
2. CPSE and CSE Recommendations
3. Internal Claims Auditor Reports
4. Overnight Field Trip Request
Motion carried. (9-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – February 9, 2026
INSTRUCTIONAL
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School – 2025-2026
Name, assignment, and stipend:
-
- Keith Bryant, E-Sports Lego League Coach, $961.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Spring Coaching – 2025-2026
Name, assignment, and stipend:
-
- Alissa DeBie, Girls Varsity Golf Coach, $3,493.00
- Jacob Graves, Modified Softball Coach, $3,234.00
- Courtney Keough, Unified Basketball Coach, $981.00
- Margaret McBurney, Unified Basketball Coach, $981.00
- Alexandria Payne, Varsity Track, Assistant Coach, $3,997.00
- Nancy Raicht, Girls Varsity Track Head Coach, $6,059.00
- Daniel Rechtorovic, Girls Modified Track Coach, $3,234.00
Resignation – Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Spring Coaching – 2025-2026
Name, and assignment
-
- Patrick Gillette, Girls Head Track Coach
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Elyssa Becker, Physical Education Teacher, Tecumseh Elementary School, paid parental and FMLA leaves of absence, February 9, 2026 through June 15, 2026
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Nicole Christian, Special Education Teacher, Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School, July 1, 2026
- Elaine Howe, School Psychologist, Jamesville-DeWitt High School, July 1, 2026
- Michelle Opalenick, K-6 Elementary Teacher, Jamesville Elementary School, July 1, 2026
- Jodi Schwedes, K-6 Elementary Teacher, Moses DeWitt Elementary School, Jul 1, 2026
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointment
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Crystal Gill, Teacher Aide, 52-week probationary appointment, Jamesville-DeWitt High School, $16.20/hr., January 27, 2026, replacing K. Cervantes
Approve Minutes of the January 12, 2026 Regular Hearing
Mrs. James Murad moved and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2026 Board Meeting.
Motion carried. (7-0-2) Mr. Zoghby and Mrs. DeForest abstained.
Appoint School District Insurance Carriers
Mr. Baxter moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to appoint School District Insurance Carriers.
Motion carried. (9-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Approve Memorandum of Agreement with the Jamesville-DeWitt Administrator Association
Mr. Babikian moved and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to approve a Memorandum of Agreement with the Jamesville-DeWitt Administrator Association.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Approve Memorandum of Agreement with the Jamesville-DeWitt Faculty Association
Mrs. DeForest moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to approve a Memorandum of Agreement with the Jamesville-DeWitt Faculty Association.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Accept a Settlement with a Family of a Student with Disabilities
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to approve a settlement with a family of a student with disabilities.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Approve Town of DeWitt Request for Use of Buses for J-D High School Operation Graduation
Mrs. DeForest moved and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to approve the Town of DeWitt’s request for use of buses for J-D High School Operation Graduation.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Board Policies, First Reading
The following policies were brought to the Board for a first reading:
-
- 1620 – Annual Organizational Meeting
- 1640 – Absentee, Military, and Early Mail Ballots
- 7513 – Medication and Personal Care Items
- 7521 – Students with Life-Threatening Health Conditions and/or Anaphylaxis
Mrs. James Murad explained that Policy #1620 had a minor change to the annual organization meeting which allows the meeting to take place prior to July 20 and that Policy #1640 gives more clarification on absentee, military and early mail ballots. Mrs. James Murad said Policy #7513 expands the terminology on EpiPens. She said the policies will come back to the next meeting for a second reading.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
There were no items.
Budget Discussion: 2026-2027 Budget Presentation, Mr. Bartlett and Dr. Woodcock
Mr. Bartlett and Dr. Woodcock shared a presentation on the 2026-2027 Budget which included a New York State budget timeline and update, the Governor’s Budget Proposal, J-D Budget Timeline and Key Dates, 2026-2027 Projected Revenues and Expenses, and Next Steps. Mr. Bartlett and Dr. Woodcock took questions from the Board. (See Supplemental Minutes)
Mrs. DeForest asked what as Board Members and community members can be done to reach out to our legislators. Dr. Woodcock indicated she would be sending out a list of our legislators so that anyone can be an advocate.
Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Woodcock
Dr. Woodcock reviewed the 2026-2027 draft calendar with the Board. She said it was a much tighter calendar with 181 student days, 185 staff days and the same number of half days and superintendent conference days. Dr. Woodcock explained that she is recommending a double-sided calendar with religious holidays listed on the back. She said we have many families that are confused as to why kids have so many days off, because the days are listed on the front of calendar. Dr. Woodcock understands that we are a diverse community and wants to continue to recognize the religious holidays. She said by listing religious holidays on the back of the calendar, we will help avoid confusion and also make staff aware that we have families celebrating different holidays.
Dr. Woodcock said she has shared the snow day plan with the Board, staff and families. She said that although remote learning is not popular, it is necessary to keep spring break. She said they cannot penalize a student for not having internet or a remote device at home on a remote learning day.
Dr. Woodcock said the OCM BOCES legislative breakfast is taking place on February 28 and that she hoped she could get a few Board members to join her. She shared upcoming events including Winter Recess, Fiddles on Fire and Jazz Ensemble Concerts, Jamesville Elementary 4th grade musical, prom fashion show and ongoing UPK registration.
Committee Reports
Mrs. DeForest reported that the Finance Committee met on January 20 and talked about budget and updates on grants impacting the weapons detection systems. She said the new Treasurer, Mr. Lynch is doing good and the transition to NVision is still in process and going well. She said they discussed updates on capital projects, Southwood property, cell tower, e-rate project, IP paging and access controls, capital outlay project schedules and monitoring capital projects that are taking place now. Mrs. DeForest said Phase 2 stakeholder meetings are taking place to determine scope and to continue monitoring the costs. The next Finance Committee meeting will take place on March 4.
Student Board Member Report: Mr. Ghanim
Mr. Ghanim was absent.
Board President’s Report: Dr. Archer
Dr. Archer stated that there are three vacancies on the OCM BOCES Board of Education. She said if anyone is interested, there is a link in the email that was sent. There was a question as to whether a J-D Board member could fill one of the openings and Dr. Archer indicated that she will look further to see if we are able to nominate from our District. She will let the Board know.
Dr. Archer said she will be sending out an email with homework for the mid-year evaluation for Dr. Woodcock as well as the board self-evaluation for the March 9 meeting.
Dr. Archer shared a few topics of interest from the OnBoard publication. She said that she appreciated the consideration of arts and music when the Board of Regents considers a “well-rounded student”. She said that a school district in Owego plays drone soccer and she would like to hear more about this as she believes we would have students that would be interested.
Dr. Archer said the Board needs to schedule a spring retreat and that she will be sending an email out with dates and topics.
Community Comment Time #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There was no unfinished and continuing business.
At 8:34 p.m., Mrs. Scott moved and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Hauser
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 3-9-36