Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. Cortese
Mrs. DeForest
Dr. Lei
Mrs. Scott
Mr. Zoghby
Mr. Ghanim (Student board member)
Members Absent
Mrs. James Murad
Administration Present
Dr. Woodcock, Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Others in attendance: Riley Tuite, Myah Pettiford, Maddy McCarthy, Zoe McCarthy, Sabah Ghanim, T. Saloman, Emma Waldman, Yahir Torres, Marion Fish, Mike Fish, and Mike Fitzpatrick.
Dr. Archer called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:00 p.m. in the boardroom of the District Office.
Red Ram Recognition
Dr. Archer recognized and congratulated the indoor track team who placed 8th in the state championships.
Mrs. Cortese gave a shoutout to the dance program at Jamesville and Moses DeWitt Elementary Schools. She said the program recently put on their combined dance recital in the High School auditorium and performed to a standing room only crowd. She thanked everyone who came together to help with the performance including High School students who helped with technology set up, members of the community, families, dancers and volunteers.
Dr. Woodcock recognized Sabah Ghanim who is a member of the Model United Nations Club.
She said they recently won best small delegation, and that Mr. Ghanim won outstanding delegate. She congratulated him for this accomplishment.
Community Comment Time #1
Community member, Marion Fish commented on the parking lot issue at Moses DeWitt. She indicated that she believes any construction would have a negative impact on the neighborhood, students and the community at large. Mrs. Fish offered ideas including a park and ride option with parking at the Middle School, and the use of a lot on Wellington Road across from the Fire Department.
Mr. Babikian moved and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to allow Mrs. Fish to continue her comment past the allotted three-minute time limit.
Motion carried. 8-0-0
Consent Agenda
Mr. Baxter moved, and Mrs. Cortese 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. Approve Treasurer’s Report
5. Approve Resolution Calling the 2026 Annual District Meeting and Election
of the Jamesville -DeWitt Central School District and Authorizing Related
Matters
Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – March 23, 2026
INSTRUCTIONAL
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Spring Coaching – 2025-2026
Name, assignment, and stipend:
-
- Mariah Lamas, Unified Basketball Coach, $943.00
Resignation – Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Spring Coaching – 2025-2026
Name, and assignment:
-
- Courtney Keough, Unified Basketball Coach
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointment
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Tsedey Kassa, Bus Attendant, Transportation, $17.22/hr., March 24, 2026
Resignation
Name, assignment, location and effective date:
-
- Allen Hough, Bus Attendant, Transportation, March 9, 2026
Approve Minutes of the March 9, 2026 Board Meeting
Mrs. Scott moved and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the March 9, 2026, Board of Education meeting.
Motion carried. (7-0-1) Mrs. DeForest abstained.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Dr. Archer suggested discussing goal setting, vision, and mission refinement as potential consideration for future meetings. She said she would like to see the Board do the work ahead of time to get this on the agenda.
Budget Discussion: 2026-2027 Budget Presentation, Mr. Bartlett
Mr. Bartlett began his presentation on the 2026-2027 Budget with a New York State Budget update. Next, he shared the Instructional Budget and key expense drivers. Lastly, Mr. Bartlett presented the upcoming key dates on the budget calendar as well as the next steps and opened the floor to questions from the Board.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Woodcock
Dr. Woodcock shared an update on the last Superintendent’s Conference Day of the school year, which took place this past Friday. She said the day began with all staff coming together in the auditorium for a welcome session with herself. Next, Dr. Woodcock welcomed Mr. Tom Varano whose program, Emotion into Art, was an extremely inspiring and emotional learning session. After that, staff members were given the choice to attend sessions such as e-sports, yoga, crocheting, and AI, all of which were led by staff members. She said she will include pictures in her weekly update.
Dr. Woodcock provided a UPK update. She said that we have a total of 104 spots for UPK students with 85 spots filled and 19 still open. She said currently, there are no students on a waitlist, and that this is nice for families that are new to the district. This gives them the opportunity to register their children for UPK. Dr. Woodcock said placement letters have been sent, and orientation will take place in May.
Dr. Woodcock gave an update on the Moses DeWitt Parking Lot. She said that preliminary state findings indicate that this would not qualify for an emergency project. She said she is still in contact with the owner of the property, Widewaters Group, in hopes they will work with us. She also said there is a possibility the parking lot construction could be included in Phase 2 of the Capital Project.
Lastly, Dr. Woodcock shared many upcoming events this week including Jamesville Elementary Open House and Art Show, Middle School Orchestra Festival, Grades 7-12 Choral Festival, Boys and Girls Lacrosse games, Baseball game, Girls Flag Football game at Henninger, Lemonade Stand and spring recess.
Committee Reports
Mrs. DeForest indicated that Mr. Bartlett had covered the update from the Finance Committee meeting during his budget presentation. She said the next Finance Committee meeting will be April 15.
Student Board Member Report: Mr. Ghanim
Mr. Ghanim reported that Senior students are looking forward to spring break and graduation. He said that it was heartbreaking that the Walkathon had been cancelled, but that Dr. Lawson has agreed to cover the expenses, some of which comes from the Walkathon. He also said that this year, clubs will not be selling items and students will not need to bring money. Mr. Ghanim said he hopes this helps JD Day to be a fun event for all, and that students stay for the whole day.
Board President’s Report: Dr. Archer
Dr. Archer discussed the upcoming Board Retreat scheduled for Thursday, March 26. She said two meaningful topics were chosen: an equity panel from the Middle School to discuss work taking place in the building; and restorative practices with input from Dr. Lawson. Dr. Archer indicated that due to circumstances out of the Board’s control, both teachers on the panel from the Middle School as well as Dr. Lawson cannot attend the scheduled retreat. She asked the Board whether they would like to proceed with the retreat or reschedule. The Board indicated they would like to reschedule it in April. Dr. Archer will email the Board with a new date.
Dr. Archer stated that with the start of Spring sports, there will be many opportunities in the next couple of months to get outside, enjoy the weather and watch our spring athletes.
Community Comment Time #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There was no unfinished and continuing business.
Dr. Archer reminded the Board that the next meeting will be April 6 at the Middle School.
At 7:37 p.m., Mrs. Cortese moved and Dr. Lei seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried (8-0-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Hauser
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 4-6-26