Members Present
Dr. Archer (attended remotely)
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. Cortese
Mrs. DeForest
Dr. Lei (joined meeting at 7:17 p.m.)
Mrs. Scott
Mr. Ghanim (Student board member)
Members Absent
Mrs. James Murad
Mr. Zoghby
Administration Present
Dr. Woodcock, Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Others in attendance: Ella Parish, Carrie Parish, Mattia Wright, Shayna Nellis, Ellis Solomon, Nicole Chen, Olivia VanAtter, Kol Henderson, Kori Hayward, Roman Spack, Lauren Mills, Lindsay Parker, Joey Nadler, Brandon Anelli, Mustafa Abdel-Aziz, Keegan Mueller, Daniel Luo, Andrew Ewing, Emily Wilcox, Makenna Elliott, Aleena Ali, Lillian Engel, Namik Hasanovic, Noor Suleiman, Madelyn Murphy, Capri Montanaro, Vincent Frocione, Stephen Bazile, Luciano Grenga, Braden Baker, Michael Fitzpatrick, and Teddy Morris.
Dr. Archer called the Regular 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 Link.
External Audit Report
Jaimie Galante, CPA Partner of Grossman St. Amour presented the 2024-2025 Independent Audit Report to the Board of Education. (See Supplemental Minutes for report). A detailed presentation of this report was provided to the Audit Committee prior to the board meeting. The auditors expressed an unmodified, or clean opinion, in the district-wide financial statements, which is positive for the District. The auditors performed a single audit on Federal Awards and expressed an unmodified opinion on major program compliance. The auditors also performed a review of the extra classroom activities fund and expressed a modified opinion for the scope limitation as it involves cash receipts. She said this is a typical opinion with these statements.
The Board will be asked to accept the audit report at the next meeting.
Red Ram Recognition
Dr. Archer recognized the following:
-
- High School students present at the board meeting and said she appreciates them spending their evening in attendance
- Third grade Jamesville Elementary student, Samir Alibekov, who launched a national writing contest to celebrate the Uzbek culture inspired by the picture book, Snowball and Me
- Moses DeWitt Elementary School Teacher, Elizabeth DeLaRoca who published her second book, Sal’s Summertime Adventure
Lastly, Dr. Archer recognized homecoming which took place this past weekend. She said the bonfire, game and dance were all a huge success and that it was made possible by the efforts of the High School PTG, staff and students.
Community Comment Time #1
There were no comments.
Approve 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. Approve Overnight Field Trip Request
Motion carried. (6-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – October 6, 2025
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Scott Howard, Teaching Assistant, four-year probationary appointment, replacing S. Harris
-
- Location: Jamesville-DeWitt High School
- Salary: $31,639.00 (B1) Prorated to $27,052.00
- Certification: Teaching Assistant Level 1*
- Effective: October 7, 2025
*Pending completion of the certification process.
Change in Status
Name, position, change and effective date:
-
- Kristine Wisnieski, ESL Teacher, High School, additional class, August 28, 2025, ($16,748.00)
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2025-2026
Name, assignment, and stipend:
-
- Robert Sweeney, A/V Club Advisor, $943.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School – 2025-2026
Name, assignment, and stipend:
-
- Elizabeth Boghosian, Grade 5 Lunch Duty, $1,989.00
- Keith Bryant, MS Light and Sound, $1,713.00
- Kristina Valentino, 5/6 Musical Instructor/Director, $1,617.00
- Kimberly Giammichele, Grade 5 Lunch Duty, $1,989.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Winter Coaching – 2025-2026
Name, assignment, and stipend:
-
- John Barlow, Boys Modified Basketball Coach, $3,635.00
- Jordan Beers, Girls Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach, $5,139.00
- David BeSeth, Varsity Wrestling Coach, Volunteer, ($0)
- Robert Bewley, Boys Varsity Head Swimming Coach, $8,822.00
- Joseph Corridori, Boys Varsity Assistant Indoor Track Coach, $4,963.00
- Patricia Ferris, Girls Modified Volleyball Coach, $4,471.00
- Patrick Gillette, Girls Varsity Head Indoor Track Coach, $7,292.00
- Jacob Graves, Girls Modified Basketball Coach, $3,296.00
- Kurt Honis, Varsity Wrestling Coach, Volunteer, ($0)
- James Jones, Boys Varsity Head Basketball Coach, $8,038.00
- Paul LeBlanc, Varsity Wrestling Head Coach, $6,701.00
- John Lenish, Varsity Assistant Indoor Track Coach, $3,997.00
- Margaret McBurney, Boys Modified Swimming Coach, $3,635.00
- Ian Murray, Boys Modified Swimming Coach, $3,493.00
- Parker Noble, Boys Varsity Head Indoor Track Coach, $5,710.00
- Ryan Pietrzak, Boys Varsity Diving Coach, $3,493.00
- Samantha Purrman, Boys Modified Volleyball Coach, $3,362.00
- Brendon Schunck, Boys Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach, $5,345.00
- Sabrina Scott, Varsity Head Cheerleading Coach, $4,847.00
- Eugene Sul, Boys Modified Volleyball Coach, $4,375.00
- Paul Valentino, Boys Modified Basketball Coach, $4,695.00
- Paul Valentino, Girls Modified Basketball Coach, $4,695.00
- Kristine Wisnieski, Girls Modified Volleyball Coach, $3,563.00
Resignation – Extended Teaching – High School – 2025-2026
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- William Sauve, A/V Club Advisor, September 19, 2025
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Susan Harris, Teaching Assistant, Jamesville-DeWitt High School, October 5, 2025
- Nancy Trendowski, School Nurse, Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School, October 4, 2025
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Kayla Cervantes, Teacher Aide, 52-week probationary appointment, Jamesville-DeWitt High School, $16.20/hr., October 7, 2025, replacing A. Richardson
- Alyssia Fox, Typist II – HELPS, 52-week probationary appointment, PPS Department, $18.75/hr., October 7, 2025, replacing C. Hinman**
- Tsedey Kassa, Substitute Bus Attendant, $16.00/hr., Transportation Department, October 7, 2025
- Julia Zamora, Teacher Aide, 52-week probationary appointment, Tecumseh Elementary School, $16.20/hr., October 7, 2025, replacing K. Farnett
**Start date dependent on successful fingerprint clearance
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, assignment, location, type of leave and effective date:
-
- Gregory Rupert, Custodial Worker 1, Custodial Department, FMLA, October 16, 2025 through December 11, 2025
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Marianne Vacchiano, Teacher Aide, Moses DeWitt Elementary School, October 1, 2025
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Alassandra Casimiro, Food Service Helper 1, Cafeteria, October 3, 2025
Approve Minutes of September 15, 2025, Board Meeting
Mr. Baxter moved, and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the September 15, 2025, Board of Education meeting.
Motion carried. (5-0-1); Mr. Babikian abstained.
Approve District Safety Plan
Mrs. Cortese moved, and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to approve the 2025-2026 District Safety Plan.
Motion carried. (6-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Dr. Lei joined the meeting at 7:17 p.m.
Approve Amended Cell Tower Lease
Mrs. Cortese moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to approve the First Amendment to the Land Lease Agreement between Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District and Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems LLC d/b/a Verizon Wireless.
Motion carried. (7-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
There were no new topics for potential consideration for future meetings.
2024-2025 Conduct Report, Asst. Superintendent, Mr. Peter Reyes
Mr. Reyes presented the Board with the Annual Student Conduct Report. (See Supplemental Minutes). The presentation included discipline summaries by building, suspension information, and superintendent’s hearings. Mr. Reyes shared equity in student management data broken down by race/ethnicity, students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students and gender. He shared dispositions, trends in student management and supports for students. Mr. Reyes also discussed factors in improving and maintaining a positive school climate and included school climate supports currently being used. Lastly, Mr. Reyes took questions from the Board.
Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Woodcock
Dr. Woodcock began her report by thanking the students in attendance. She said that prior to the start of the meeting, she walked down to the college fair taking place in the High School. She said there were hundreds of students and families, and that it was a great presentation. Dr. Woodcock also shared that Homecoming was a huge success. She said students did a great job and thanked the staff who stayed very long nights. She also thanked the JDHS PTG for the awesome bonfire and the patient students during the fire alarm at the dance.
Dr. Woodcock shared an email with the Board from a Jamesville-DeWitt family about a bus driver. She read the email from the family about their driver on Bus # 267, Mr. Steven Dunn. They said Mr. Dunn always shows kindness and care and shared a story of how Mr. Dunn helped the family when their eldest son, who carries an EpiPen, left it on the bus. Despite being a weekend, and not his responsibility, he drove to the bus garage to get the EpiPen and dropped it off to the family’s house. The family said his thoughtfulness and willingness to go out of the way to help them meant everything. Dr. Woodcock thanked Mr. Dunn for his kindness and dedication, and the family for sharing this good news. Dr. Woodcock said it is important to know that bus drivers do things like this for our students daily. She thanked all our bus drivers and said they are unsung heroes.
Dr. Woodcock shared an update from the NYSCOSS conference which she attended. She said they heard state level updates, which were not great and federal updates were not much better. Dr. Woodcock said that Senator Mayer was at the conference and reported that federal cuts are harming state budgets, and that the state budget will be awful this year. Dr. Woodcock said the final session was with the Commissioner of State Ed. She said the topics discussed at this session were the portrait of a graduate and other graduate measures, the growing ELL and Special Education population and needs and supports for districts.
Dr. Woodcock reported that she attended a Board of Regents meeting this morning at OCM BOCES. She said it was the first time in over a decade that they have been out of Albany. They toured the CTE programs and were impressed at what the students do and what is offered.
Dr. Woodcock shared upcoming events including budget roadshows, cafeteria tours during student lunches at all buildings and the upcoming NYSSBA Conference.
Dr. Woodcock shared information on SuperEval, the tool which is used by the Board and herself, to evaluate her as Superintendent. She said her goals are all in SuperEval and that once they are completed, she will recommend evaluating all competencies. There is nothing that needs to be done until April 1 and there will be reminders.
Committee Reports
Dr. Archer said the Audit Committee just had a meeting and reported at this meeting. Mr. Baxter reported on the Facilities Committee meeting at Tecumseh. He said the committee met with Dr. Woodcock and Mr. Bartlett to discuss the new student drop-off and the new UPK playground. He said he appreciates the need for a new student drop-off to make it safer for everyone. He also said they are getting new playground equipment to meet UPK guidelines. Mr. Baxter indicated that while he was on the grounds, he did see public access on the grounds, even with signs up.
Dr. Woodcock reminded the community that this is true for the High School as well. She said that during instructional times for students, there should be no community members and no dogs on the school grounds. She said schools and playgrounds are public grounds outside of school hours. Dr. Woodcock said we will be putting out a reminder to the community.
Student Board Member Report
Mr. Ghanim thanked Dr. Archer, Dr. Woodcock and Mr. Reyes for all the information provided. He reported that the Instagram page for the student representative is currently at 136 followers. He reported that the student body was satisfied with the homecoming dance and game. He said the staff and students did an exceptional job. He also thanked the football team for putting a smile on students’ faces. Mr. Ghanim said he has not received any new comments on the phone ban and he feels most people have adjusted and are looking forward to a great year.
Mr. Ghanim indicated the name of the Instagram account is: jdstudentrepresentative.
Board President’s Report: Dr. Archer
Dr. Archer said she will be attending the NYSSBA Conference and will take notes on the sessions she is attending. She said her intention is to explore as many financial sessions as she can. Dr. Archer said some of the titles of the sessions she will be attending are financing electric buses, unlocking the mystery of school aid, financial implications of regional redistricting and budgetary tools and metrics.
Community Comment Time #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There were no topics for unfinished and continuing business. Dr. Archer said she will be sending an email for suggestions for the Board retreat.
Adjournment
At 8:22 p.m., Mrs. Cortese moved, and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing legal updates.
Motion carried. (7-0-0).
At 8:58 p.m., Mr. Baxter moved, and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to adjourn Executive Session.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
At 8:59 p.m., Mrs. Cortese moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Mrs. Cortese, Vice-President of the Board, closed the meeting by tapping the gavel.
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: October 27, 2025