Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. Cortese
Mrs. DeForest
Dr. Lei
Dr. Nolan
Mr. Zoghby
Mr. Ghanim (Student Board Member)
Members Absent
Mr. Babikian
Mrs. Scott
Administration Present
Dr. Woodcock, Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Sinead McDevitt, Mikyal Mobeen, Daniel Levi, Mike Fitzpatrick, Michael Anthis, Susan Koo, Addison Brown, Ryan Rigdon, Charlie Skahen, Elijah Centolella, and Jisan Lamichhane.
Dr. Archer called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board room of the District Office and via YouTube Livestream.
Oath of Office, Dr. Andrew Nolan
Dr. Nolan was sworn in as a Board of Education Member. Dr. Archer and the Board congratulated him.
Dr. Archer requested a Motion to Amend the Agenda to add Executive Session at the end of the regular meeting, to discuss personnel.
Mrs. Cortese moved and Dr. Lei seconded the motion to amend the agenda to add Executive Session to the end of regular meeting.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Red Ram Recognition
Dr. Archer recognized the students in attendance, as well Middle School band students who recently performed the National Anthem at the Syracuse Mets game.
Dr. Woodock congratulated the Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Team for winning the Section III finals and moving on to the regional championship. She said the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team will play in the Section III finals tomorrow.
Mrs. Cortese recognized Madeline Kandel, a Middle School student who played young Elsa in the Syracuse Stage production of Frozen.
Dr. Woodcock recognized Dr. Archer for her role as Board President and said she has done an amazing job this year. Dr. Woodcock congratulated Dr. Archer and presented her with a Board of Education Excellence Recognition Award from the NYSSBA for her leadership and attendance at board learning opportunities.
Mr. Ghanim congratulated scholar athlete, Jisan Lamichhane who is recognized as being both an athlete and having a high GPA. He also recognized and congratulated JD Seniors, Jisan Lamichhane and Mikyal Mobeen who will be attending Syracuse University in the fall as part of the BSIMT program. Mr. Ghanim said only 10 students are chosen out of over 3,000 that apply.
Mr. Franz said that Capstone students are showcasing their projects tonight at a community exhibition at Lemoyne College and tomorrow in the High School Library.
Mrs. DeForest recognized the students that performed as part of Jazz in the Plaza last week. She said it was a well-attended event.
Community Comment Time #1
The were no comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mr. Baxter and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to approve the following Consent Agenda.
-
- Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments
- Resolution with OCM BOCES to enter into a five-year technology service contract
- Resolution with OCM BOCES for lit fiber for high-speed communications
Motion carried. (7-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – June 1, 2026
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Nicole Accorso, K-6 Elementary Teacher, four-year probationary appointment, replacing M. Opalenick
-
- Location: Jamesville Elementary School
- Salary: $66,273.00 (B4-M+36)
- Certification: Initial Childhood Education Grades 1-6
- Effective: September 2, 2026
Name and position: Isabella DeRegis, K-6 Elementary Teacher, four-year probationary appointment, replacing J. Schwedes
-
- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary School
- Salary: $55,795.00 (B2)
- Certification: Initial Childhood Education Grades 1-6
- Effective: September 2, 2026
Name and position: Katrina Fontaine, K-6 Elementary Teacher, four-year probationary appointment, replacing J. Baum
-
- Location: Jamesville Elementary School
- Salary: $65,703.00 (B4-M+33)
- Certification: Professional Childhood Education Grades 1-6 *
- Effective: September 2, 2026Name and position: Erica Schwedes, K-6
Name and position: Erica Schwedes, K-6 Elementary Teacher, four-year probationary appointment, replacing R. Powers
-
- Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
- Salary: $62,366.00 (B2-M+27)
- Certification: Initial Childhood Education Grades 1-6
- Effective: September 2, 2026
* Certification In Progress
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Jamesville-DeWitt High School – 2025-2026 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
-
- Caitlin Johnston, Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator, $943.00
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Allison Fuess, K-6 Elementary Teacher, Tecumseh Elementary School, FMLA Leave, September 2, 2026 through November 25, 2026
Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Karyn Doss, K-6 Elementary Teacher, Jamesville Elementary School, June 30, 2026
Change in Status
Name, assignment, location, reason and effective date:
-
- Sarah Arnold, Teaching Assistant, Tecumseh Elementary School, Involuntary Reduction, 1.0 FTE to 0.0 FTE, June 30, 2026
- Joseph Chirco, Teaching Assistant, Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School, Involuntary Reduction, 1.0 FTE to 0.0 FTE, June 30, 2026
- Scott Howard, Teaching Assistant, Jamesville-DeWitt High School, Involuntary Reduction, 1.0 FTE to 0.0 FTE, June 30, 2026
- Mariah Lamas, Teaching Assistant, Tecumseh Elementary School, Involuntary Reduction, 1.0 FTE to 0.0 FTE, June 30, 2026
- Kristi Mullin, Teaching Assistant, Tecumseh Elementary School, Involuntary Reduction, 1.0 FTE to 0.0 FTE, June 30, 2026
- Anne Root, Teaching Assistant, Jamesville Elementary School, Involuntary Reduction, 1.0 FTE to 0.0 FTE, June 30, 2026
- Emma Shute, Teaching Assistant, Jamesville Elementary School, Involuntary Reduction, 1.0 to 0.0 FTE, June 30, 2026
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Change in Status Appointment
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Floyd Spinner, Custodial Worker I from Custodial Worker II, Custodial Department, $24.92/hr., May 18, 2026
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Gregory Rupert, Custodial Department, FMLA Leave, July 6, 2026 through September 5, 2026
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Davinder Kaur, Teacher Aide, Tecumseh Elementary School, May 11, 2026
- Parry Roberts, Custodial Worker I, Custodial Department, May 29, 2026
- Julia Zamora, Teacher Aide, Tecumseh Elementary School, June 26, 2026
Approve Minutes of the May 11, 2026 Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting
Mrs. Cortese moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the May 11, 2026 Budget Hearing and regular Meeting.
Motion carried. (5-0-2) Mr. Zoghby and Dr Lei abstained.
Accept the Results of the 2026-2027 Budget Vote and Board of Education Election
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the acceptance of the results of the 2026-2027 Budget Vote and Boad of Education Election as follows:
Proposition #1 (Budget Proposition)
Yes: 656
No: 174
Proposition #2 (School Bus Replacement)
Yes: 623
No: 206
Proposition #3 (Library Proposition)
Yes: 635
No: 194
Election of Board Members
Andrew Nolan: 636
Dominic D’Imperio: 627
David Babikian: 632
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Approve Extension of Memorandum of Agreement with the Jamesville-DeWitt Administrators’ Association
Mrs. Cortese moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the approval of an Extension of Memorandum of Agreement with the Jamesville-DeWitt Administrators’ Association.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Approve Changes to the 2025 – 2026 District Calendar
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to approve changes to the 2025-2026 District Calendar.
Dr. Woodcock explained the options available if we need to use a heat day and said those decisions would be made when needed. She also said the District will be putting out a message tomorrow with information on the changes.
Dr. Lei asked if the 8th grade field trip would be affected by the calendar change and Dr. Woodcock said they would still be taking the trip and will clarify this to families.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Amendment to the Agenda to Add the Approval Overnight Field Trip Request
Mrs. Cortese moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to amend the Agenda to add the approval of an overnight field trip request.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Approve an Overnight Field Trip Request
Dr. Lei moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the approval of an overnight field trip request for the Genius Olympiad Club.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Board Policies, First Reading
The following Board Policies were brought to the Board for a first reading:
-
- 6410 Acceptable use Policy (Personnel)
- 6412 Social Media Use (Personnel)
- 7241 Student Directory Information
- 7315 Acceptable use Policy (Student)
Dr. Lei indicated that the committee discussed the policies which had no significant changes. The policies will come back to the next meeting for a second reading.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Dr. Woodcock read the following current topics on the list for consideration:
-
- Portrait of a Graduate
- Equity updates
- Food Service, CEP Eligibility and participation rates
- School start times
- Safety and security updates and upgrades
- UPK food and transportation
- Safety and security updates and upgrades
- UPK (food and transportation)
- Coaching certification and evaluations
Mrs. Cortese added to the list: update on the Climate Survey. Dr. Archer asked about the addition of a second student board member and Dr. Woodcock indicated that will be discussed in her report.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Woodcock
Dr. Woodcock began her report with upcoming events. She shared the following events taking place this week: Section III finals for girls’ Lacrosse, Middle School 6th grade concert as well as Band and Jazz Ensemble, Kindergarten celebration at Tecumseh and 3rd grade performance at Moses DeWitt. Dr. Woodcock said she will share next week’s events in her Friday update including the upcoming Homerun Derby.
Dr. Woodcock reviewed the draft 2026-2027 Board Meetings Calendar. It was decided that the Reorganization meeting will take place on July 13, 2026, and it was changed on the calendar. There were no other conflicts with the dates. Dr. Woodcock asked if there was interest in the meetings beginning at 6 p.m. The Board expressed interest and Dr. Woodcock said she will reach out to Mr. Babikian and Mrs. Scott. Mrs. Deforest suggested a 6:30 p.m. start time and Dr. Woodcock said she will put this in the weekly update. This will come back for approval at the next meeting.
Dr. Woodcock shared the following updates to the New York State Budget which was passed last Wednesday:
-
- 2% minimum increase for Foundation aid instead of the original 1% originally proposed
- ELL funding as well as funding for support for homeless students and students in foster care
- Zero emission buses have been pushed back five years.
- Tier 6 pension reform
- Sensitive Locations Protection Act making schools sensitive locations
- UPK funding increase from $5,400 to $10,000 per student
- 2028-2029 mandatory requirement to have a spot for every eligible UPK student
- New math literacy requirement requiring alignment of our practices with best practices and guidance
- Legislation making it a misdemeanor to fly a drone within 500 feet of school grounds
Dr. Woodcock shared a presentation on Activities and Attendance. She said she discussed these topics with her Student Cabinet and will be sharing their feedback on these topics as well.
Dr. Woodcock shared data on students’ participation in extracurricular activities including highlights and next steps. She also shared suggestions from her Student Cabinet including adding recreational sports, shorter bus rides for after school activities, more snacks/food afterschool, moving fundraisers to the first half of the year, collecting money other than cash, too many clubs making it overwhelming, advertising for clubs and creating a calendar to coordinate club meeting dates and times.
Dr. Woodcock also shared attendance data along with attendance efforts throughout the buildings. She said the District is making great strides in the elementary schools for chronic absenteeism. Dr. Woodcock said there are attendance committees to focus on parent notifications when a child hits a percentage marker, as well as Promize Zone and Access liaisons working to assist families.
Dr. Woodcock shared the feedback from her Student Cabinet on attendance where they suggested a coffee bar at the High School, backing up the time transportation picks up High School students from 6:30 am to 7 am, shorter bus rides, switching start times with the elementary schools, more motivation for seniors during the last month of school, engaging first period classes which they pick.
(See Supplemental Minutes for Report)
Committee Reports
Dr. Lei stated that over the year, the Policy Committee has met a few times and that every time there were productive discussions about the drafts. She said the materials were always prepared well and that she enjoyed serving on the committee.
Board President’s Report, Dr. Archer
Dr. Archer reported that the Board is ready for their self-evaluation as well as Dr. Woodcock’s end of the year evaluation. She said everyone will receive a link in their email and then the information will be collected and discussed.
Dr. Archer reported that the Board had a great retreat. She said it was a good learning opportunity for the Board on restorative practices, equity teams and school security.
Dr. Archer said the CNYSBA annual dinner was a nice evening of networking and opportunities for learning and discussion. She recommended attending next year, if you get the opportunity.
Mrs. Cortese asked for a timeline for the board self-evaluation as well as Dr. Woodcock’s evaluation. Dr. Archer indicated she would send an email by Friday with a deadline to complete the evaluations by June 25.
Student Board Member Report: Mr. Ghanim
Mr. Ghanim said he was very excited to possibly have a second student board member. Mr. Ghanim reported that JD Day was a success and that after anticipating a new model for JD Day, it was more entertaining than previous JD Days. He said this JD Day had a historic senior attendance.
Mr. Ghanim said the senior class is anticipating graduation and would like to invite the entire Board to commencement on June 21.
Community Comment Time #2
There were community comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Dr. Woodcock said Policy #1210 states the Board will have at least one ex-officio student board member. She said the policy opens it up to having more than one student member with each board member elected for a one-year term. Dr. Woodcock said this could be done many ways. Mr. Ghanim suggested both members are equal and run together. There was a discussion and it was agreed that Dr. Woodcock would speak with Dr. Lawson at the High School.
Mrs. DeForest thanked the Board for providing donations towards the Board of Education Scholarship to be awarded at the Senior Awards Ceremony. She said that the goal was surpassed by $100.
At 7:50 p.m., Dr. Lei moved, and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
At 8:22 p.m., Mr. Zoghby moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn Executive Session.
At 8:23 p.m., Mr. Baxter moved and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Hauser
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: June 15, 2026