Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. Cortese
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mrs. Scott
Mr. Zoghby
Mr. Mantalios (student board member)
Administration Present
Dr. Smith, Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Janet Rider and Mike Fitzpatrick
Mr. Gross called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:15 p.m. in the board room of the District Office and via Zoom.
At 6:16 p.m., Mr. Babikian moved, and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment of a particular person.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
At 6:57 p.m., Mr. Zoghby moved, and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to adjourn Executive Session.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
At 7:05 p.m., Mr. Gross called the regular meeting to order.
Red Ram Recognition
Mr. Gross started out Red Ram Recognition by stating that students were not in school on March 31 in recognition of Eid al-Fitr, which is the conclusion of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Mr. Gross recognized and congratulated the following Winter Sports teams which were named Team Scholar Athletes by the NYSPHSAA:
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- Girls Basketball
- Boys Ice Hockey (with CBA)
- Boys Indoor Track and Field
- Girls Indoor Track and Field
- Boys Swimming and Diving (with CBA)
He also congratulated the following Individual Scholar Athletes:
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- 19 students from Girls Basketball
- 18 students from Boys Ice Hockey
- 26 students from Boys Indoor Track and Field
- 7 students from Girls Indoor Track and Field
- 17 students from Boys Swimming and Diving
Mr. Gross said that April is Occupational Therapy Month and recognized our School Occupational Therapists that give critical support for students.
Mr. Gross also recognized that April 6-12 is National Library Week and Friday, April 4 was National School Librarian Day.
Mr. Gross recognized Mrs. Ames, as well as all the students and staff who participated in the Learning Pad Lemonade Stand. He said it was a great fundraiser and a wonderful community event.
Dr. Archer recognized all Assistant Principals during this week. She also said she attended the Honor Society Induction last week. She congratulated all involved and said she was very impressed.
Mrs. Cortese moved, and Dr. Archer seconded the motion to amend the agenda to add an Executive Session to the end of the meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Community Comment Time
There were no comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mr. Gross asked for a show of hands to approve the Consent Agenda.
Consent Agenda Items:
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- Superintendent’s Personnel recommendations and Substitute Appointments
- Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel recommendations
The Consent Agenda was approved. (9-0-0)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – April 7, 2025
INSTRUCTIONAL
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Season – Coaching Winter Season – 2024-2025
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Melanie Quinn, JV Cheerleading Head Coach, $747.00
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Laura Petralia, Teaching Assistant, High School, April 26, 2025
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- John Burgess, Custodian II, 52-week probationary appointment, Custodial Dept., $28.91/hr., April 22, 2025, replacing J. Czornij
- Matthew Henneberry, Substitute Bus Driver, Transportation Depart., $26.00/hr., April 8, 2025
- Suzy Procopio, Deputy Treasurer, 52-week probationary appointment, District Office, $46,000.00, July 1, 2025, replacing S. Leverenz
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Kai Gesek, Teacher Aide, Jamesville Elementary School, April 7, 2025
- Suzy Procopio, School Secretary I, Maintenance Department, June 30, 2025
Termination
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Jace Sampsell, Teacher Aide, Moses DeWitt, April 3, 2025
Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – April 7, 2025
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointment
Name and position: Victoria Lee, Elementary Principal, four-year probationary appointment, replacing M. Sylvester
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- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary School
- Salary: $105,000.00
- Certification: Initial SBL
- Effective: July 1, 2025
Dr. Smith took a moment to announce the approval of Victoria Lee as the next principal of Moses DeWitt, who will be replacing Mary Sylvester when she retires this summer. Ms. Lee has over 11 years of experience in education with a background in elementary special education and most recently served as Assistant Principal at West Genesee Intermediate School. Ms. Lee is excited to become part of the Jamesville-DeWitt community and looks forward to working with students, families, and staff at Moses DeWitt. He asked all to join in welcoming Torie to the district.
Approve Minutes of March 24, 2025, Board Meeting
Mrs. Scott moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the March 24, 2025, Board of Education Meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Adopt 2025-2027 Strategic Plan
Mr. Gross thanked the district, community members and Dr. McGowan for their work on the Strategic Plan.
Mr. Baxter moved, and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to adopt the 2025-2027 Strategic Plan.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
There was none.
Budget Discussion: State Aid Update, Mr. Bartlett
Mr. Bartlett reported that the state has not yet finalized their budget, so he does not have an update. He said there will be a Finance Committee meeting tomorrow.
Board Discussion: Weapons Detection Systems
Dr. Smith began by reviewing last meeting’s discussion and introduction of the idea of a weapons detection system. He said the newly approved Strategic Plan calls for the district to evaluate weapons detection systems for schools and said the board has asked for an accelerated timeline and continued research on the effectiveness on weapons detections systems. He referred to a 2019 article written by Dr. Jackie Schildkraut, who is an expert in threats of school violence and safety prevention. The article focuses on metal detectors, not weapons detection systems and points to potential factors that impact effectiveness of metal detectors including human elements as well as other considerations such as cost, personnel, time to get students through and impact on school’s experience. The research was inconclusive as to whether students feel safer. Dr. Jackie responded to an email sent by Mr. Franz where he asked about the effectiveness of Weapons Detection Systems. She responded that there has not been enough research on the systems and not enough instances to analyze whether they would be effective.
Dr. Smith reported that two teams of administrators visited different high schools to observe the systems in place. He said that Mr. Franz and Mr. Reyes visited Baker High School in Baldwinsville while he and Mr. Bartlett visited Pine Grove Middle School at ESM. Dr. Smith shared features and highlights of each system at each of the schools including location and number of systems, staffing levels, wait times, and the students’ comfort with the process at each building.
Dr. Smith said we need continued discussion to be able to bring a recommendation to the board. He suggested that we bring vendors in to look at our entryways and get our principals involved. He said we should do an analysis of the cost of the machines, and logistically, what it would take to run them. Dr. Smith said he would like to bring a more informed presentation to the board with additional recommendations, which he believes can be done within the next month. He said, although this would line up with the timeline to implement a system in the fall, he has come to the realization that we may be moving too quickly logistically and practically cannot make a recommendation at this point.
There was a board discussion. Dr. Smith concluded by stating Mr. Bartlett will be reaching out to vendors tomorrow with hopes for a substantial update at the May 12 board meeting. Dr. Smith encouraged board members to contact him with any input.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith shared an update on the SRO/SPO hiring. He said interviews are scheduled for later this month with the Town of DeWitt. He said there are a number of interviews with people who are retiring in June and would be available to begin work in fall.
Dr. Smith attended the annual OCM BOCES dinner on April 2. He said the dinner, which was prepared and served by students, was great and showed their level of commitment. He said the annual meeting took place after dinner; at which time, the 2025-26 budget was presented. Dr. Smith said he appreciated the leadership at BOCES for keeping administrative costs down during these difficult economic times. He said the candidates for BOCES board of education, were presented at the meeting. Both the budget and the board of education election, will be voted on by our board at the next meeting.
Dr. Smith shared upcoming events including the combined Middle School/High School Choral Festival and Spring Recess.
Board President’s Report
Mr. Gross shared an update on the superintendent search. He said very good progress has been made and the hope is to be able to bring a recommendation to an upcoming board meeting, with the new superintendent taking over on July 1. He thanked Dr. Matt Cook and all who participated in the survey and/or focus groups.
Mr. Gross reminded the community of the upcoming Budget Vote and Board of Education election. He said there are three seats up for election and petitions for board membership are due back to the District Office on April 21.
Mr. Gross stated that the CNYSBA Annual Dinner will be taking place on May 29 and that you should RSVP to Tish as soon as possible.
Mr. Gross discussed the upcoming April 24 public forum and suggested the topic of the use of cellphones in schools. He said it is a good opportunity to get information from the community on how they feel about cellphones in schools.
Student Board Member Report: Mr. Mantalios
Mr. Mantalios did not have a report.
Community Comment Time, 2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There was none.
At 7:57 p.m., Dr. Archer moved, and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss the employment of a particular person.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
At 8:57 p.m., Mr. Zoghby moved, and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to adjourn executive session.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
At 8:57 p.m., Mr. Babikian moved, and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: April 21, 2025