Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mrs. Austin
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Ms. McKenney
Mrs. James Murad (attended remotely)
Mrs. Souser
Mr. Leach
Mr. Zoghby
Ms. Ajerari (Student Board Member)
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Mahunik, Interim Business Administrator
Mrs. DeForest called the Board Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the District Office and via Zoom.
Red Ram Recognition
Mrs. DeForest recognized all fall athletes and wished them luck as the season begins. She also recognized and thanked Syracuse.com for their work in featuring fall sports in multiple ways. She also thanked the fall coaches for their work in summer leagues, camps, etc. She also shared the schedule of opening games and encouraged everyone to check the website/Schedule Galaxy.
Mr. Gross thanked JD Sophomore student, Javere Lopez who took part in a webinar, “Student Coalition on Race and Equity.” Mr. Gross said that this webinar was a student lead implicit bias training that addressed issues of diversity and race with students from other districts including Syracuse City, West Genesee, Cicero North Syracuse and Jamesville-DeWitt. He thanked both Javere and all the students who were a part of this webinar.
Mrs. Souser gave a shout out to Mr. Lawson in recognition for making himself available for students and families to meet with him ahead of the new school year. Ms. Aljerari also recognized Mr. Lawson for his communications with students regarding the opening of school.
Community Comment Time #1
There were no community comments.
Motion to Remove Item from Consent Agenda
Mr. Leach moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the motion to remove the Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations from the Consent Agenda.
Motion carried. (9-0-0).
Approve Consent Agenda
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- Accept CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Accept Internal Claims Auditor Reports
Mr. Gross moved and Mrs. Souser seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Motion carried (9-0-0).
Approve Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations, Substitute Reappointments and New Substitute Appointments and Addendum to Personnel Recommendations
Dr. Smith explained that the last recommendation on the Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations is being struck and will not be included. Mrs. Souser moved and Mr. Gross seconded the motion to approve the Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations as amended.
Mr. Gross requested to be allowed to vote, as he has a relative on the list of Substitute Reappointments. There were no objections to him voting.
Motion carried (9-0-0).
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – August 22, 2022
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Ruthanna Baritell, Teaching Assistant; probationary appointment (4 years); new position
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- Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
- Salary: $29,230.00
- Certification: TA Level 1*
- Effective: August 31, 2022
*pending completion of the certification process
Name and position: Allison Barnes, Special Education Teacher; (.5 FTE); new position
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- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary School
- Salary: $29,014.00 prorated (B1-M+37)
- Certification: Initial SWD 1-6*
- Effective: August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023
*pending completion of the certification process
Name and position: Ruth Caldwell, Teaching Assistant; probationary appointment (4 years); new position
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- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $28,860.00
- Certification: TA Level 1
- Effective: August 31, 2022
Name and position: Kymric DiBuono, Teaching Assistant, probationary appointment (4 years); replacing: A. Butler
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- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $29,616 (B)
- Certification: TA Level 1
- Effective: August 31, 2022
Name and position: Sara Fraher, Teaching Assistant, probationary appointment (4 years); new position
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- Location: High School
- Salary: $29,616 (B)
- Certification: SWD, Grades 7-12, Emergency COVID
- Effective: August 31, 2022
Name and position: Samantha Guillaume, Special Education Teacher; probationary appointment (4 years); new position
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- Location: High School
- Salary: $61,340.00 (B5-M+31.5)
- Certification: Initial SWD 7-12
- Effective: August 31, 2022
Name and position: Caitlin Johnston, Second Language Teacher; Regular Sub; Replacing: M. DeJesus
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- Location: High School
- Salary: $57,376.00 (B1-M+33)
- Certification: Initial Spanish 7-12
- Effective: August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023
Name and position: Kathryn Kimble, Music Teacher; probationary appointment (4 years); replacing: J. Abbott
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- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $67,809.00 (B9-M+33)
- Certification: Professional Music
- Effective: August 31, 2022
Name and position: Courtney Lehman, School Psychologist; probationary appointment (4 years); new position
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- Location: District
- Salary: $62,777.00 (B2-M+60)
- Certification: Provisional School Psychologist
- Effective: August 31, 2022
Name and position: Luis Ramos, Teaching Assistant; probationary appointment (4 years); new position
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- Location: High School
- Salary: $29,230.00
- Certification: TA Level 1*
- Effective: August 31, 2022
*pending completion of the certification process
Name and position: Carla Ray, School Nurse; part-time (.4)
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- Location: High School
- Salary: $16,530.00 (prorated- B5)
- Certification: Registered Professional Nurse
- Effective: August 31, 2022, through June 30, 2023
Name and position: Katie Zuercher, School Nurse; probationary appointment (4 years); new position
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- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $39,797.00 (B2+B)
- Certification: Registered Professional Nurse
- Effective: August 24, 2022
Change in Status
Name and position: Sharon Osterdale, Math Teacher; probationary appointment (4 years);
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- Location: Middle School
- Change: From part-time (.83) to full-time
- Salary: $86,116.00
- Certification: N-6, Permanent
- Effective: August 31, 2022
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, position, location, reason and effective date:
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- Courtney Perrigo, School Social Worker, Jamesville Elementary School, FMLA and unpaid leave, August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023
Name, position, location, reason and effective date:
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- Christina Snow, K-6 Classroom Teacher, Tecumseh Elementary School, unpaid leave, August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Jamesville Elementary School – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment and stipend:
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- Carol Sluis, AM Student Supervision, $619.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School – 2021-2022 School Year
Name, assignment and stipend:
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- Amy Bissetta, Cafeteria Supervision, $865.00 (January 31, 2022 through June 24, 2022)
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment and stipend:
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- Kari Sebast, Student Council 7/8 Community Service, $1,069.00
- Andy Starowicz, 5/6 Language Arts Department Chair, $2,538.00
Resignations
Name, position, location and effective date:
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- Melody Scanlon, School Nurse, Districtwide, August 23, 2022
- Lindsay Voigt, Teaching Assistant, Middle School, September 1, 2022
- Heather Volyanik, K-6 Classroom Teacher, Middle School, August 31, 2022
Extra Duty Assignment – Fall Coaching
Name, assignment and stipend:
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- John Austin, Boys Modified Soccer Coach, $3,046.00
- Chris Parker, JV Assistant Football Coach, $4,061.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Winter Coaching
Name, assignment and stipend:
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- Amanda Valentino, Boys Modified Swimming Coach, $3,890.00
- Paul Valentino, Boys Modified Basketball Coach, $4,173.00
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
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- DaRon Felder, Substitute Custodian, Custodial Department, $13.20/hr., August 23, 2022
- Katherine Hayes, Substitute Bus Attendant, Transportation Department, $13.30/hr., August 23, 2022
- Larry Isaacs, Substitute Bus Attendant, Transportation Department, $13.30/hr., August 23, 2022
- Susan Kirch, Teacher Aide, 52 week probationary appointment, Moses DeWitt Elementary School, $14.14/hr., September 6, 2022, replacing
- Stephen Litzenberger, Substitute Custodian, Custodial Department, $13.20/hr., August 23, 2022
- Craig Tanner, Substitute Bus Attendant, Transportation Department, $13.30/hr., August 23, 2022
- Jenny Wheeler, Substitute Bus Driver, Transportation Department, $$21.10/hr., August 23, 2022
Extra-Duty Stipend
Name, position, location:
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- Deborah Kolod, Administrative Aide, PPS, $3,000.00, one-time stipend for additional COVID related duties
Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – August 22, 2022
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Danielle Lazzaro, K-6 Classroom Teacher; probationary appointment (3 years), replacing A. Thorpe
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- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary School
- Salary: $58,599.00 prorated (B7-M+36)
- Certification: Professional Childhood Ed (1-6)
- Effective: September 6, 2022
Name and position: Elizabeth Scheftic, K-6 Classroom Teacher; probationary appointment (3 years), new position
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- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary School
- Salary: $55,894.00 prorated (B5-M+32)
- Certification: Professional Childhood Ed (1-6)
- Effective: September 26, 2022
Name and position: Katherine Ward, K-6 Classroom Teacher; regular substitute, replacing C. Snow
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- Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
- Salary: $60,606.00 (B5-M+27)
- Certification: Professional Childhood Ed (1-6)
- Effective: September 6, 2022 to June 30, 2023
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
-
- Dawn Hawxhurst, Substitute Bus Attendant, Transportation Department, $13.30/hr., August 23, 2022
(For Substitute Reappointments and New Substitutes see Supplemental Minutes)
Approve Minutes of the July 25, 2022 Public Hearing and July 25, 2022 Board Meeting
Mr. Gross moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the approval of the Minutes of the July 25, 2022 Public Hearing and the July 25, 2022 Board meeting.
Motion carried (8-0-1). Mrs. James Murad abstained.
Adopt District Safety Plan
Dr. Smith shared a slide presentation of the District Safety Plan in which he reviewed the steps in the review process, the plan, and updates made for 2023. He said that following adoption by the Board of Education, the plan will be submitted to the Commissioner of Education.
Dr. Smith said that the adoption of the District Safety Plan triggers a one-year renewal of the MOU for the SRO, and provided end of the year updates and information to the Board and public. (See Supplemental Minutes for end of the year updates.) He said there will be no change in cost for the SRO for the 2023 school year.
Ms. McKenney moved and Mrs. Souser seconded the adoption of the District Safety Plan.
Motion carried (9-0-0). (See Supplemental Minutes for District Safety Plan).
Approve School Tax Rate
Mr. Mahunik explained the tax levy of $43,271,142.00 is a 2.59% increase from last year. The tax rate of $21.51 per $1,000 of assessment is a decrease of 8.57% from last year’s rate of $23.53. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Mr. Gross moved and Mr. Zoghby seconded the approval of a tax levy of $42,271,142.00.
Motion carried (9-0-0).
Approve Substitute Pay Rates
Mrs. Austin moved and Mrs. Souser seconded the approval of the substitute pay rates for 2022-2023. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Motion carried (9-0-0).
Board Handbook Roles and Responsibilities, Second Reading
Dr. Archer explained that in the second reading, there was more detailed information surrounding officers, VP and President. There was explanation and discussion among the Board members regarding general responsibilities, personnel, budget and finance and the claims auditor.
Mrs. DeForest said the Roles and Responsibilities will be put back into the format of the handbook for the final reading at the next meeting.
Approve Resolution for Emergency Kitchen Project at the High School
Mrs. McKenney moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the approval of the following Resolution:
WHEREAS, on March 21, 2022, the Board of Education authorized emergency repairs to the Jamesville-Dewitt High School Kitchen in the maximum amount of $350,000 and classified the cost for such repairs as an ordinary contingent expense; and
WHEREAS, the actual cost of the emergency repairs to the High School kitchen exceeded the maximum cost originally authorized by the Board of Education,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby amends the resolution adopted by the Board of Education on March 21, 2022, nunc pro tunc, as follows:
RESOLVED, that pursuant to §103(4) of the General Municipal Law, the Board of Education (“Board”) declares that an emergency exists because the kitchen drainage system and surrounding area at the Jamesville-DeWitt High School kitchen is broken and requires reconstruction and renovation. This is a safety issue.
The Board finds that the proposed reconstruction and renovation of the kitchen area be undertaken without further delay.
The Board has reviewed preliminary estimates for the work and has earmarked such work to be performed at a cost not to exceed $550,000.00 with a scope to include the reconstruction and renovation of the Jamesville-DeWitt High Kitchen area.
It is further, RESOLVED, that the Board authorizes the awarding of contracts and the purchasing of this work, after competitive bidding, such work to commence immediately. The Board further ratifies all contract and purchases made to date for all emergency work and purchases.
It is further, RESOLVED, that all such expenditures made by authority of this resolution are ordinary contingent expenses and the Board hereby authorizes the transfer of $550,000.00 from the General Fund to the Capital Fund to cover the expense.
Motion carried (9-0-0).
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Mrs. DeForest said she is working on setting up a meeting with Mrs. Austin and Mr. Gross to review topics.
Quarterly Financial Report and Fund Balance Update, Mr. Mahunik
Dr. Smith apologized to the Board and Finance Committee for “jumping the gun” with the Fund Balance report. He said that the Finance Committee needs to meet prior to providing the Board with a Fund Balance update. Dr. Smith said that Mr. Mahunik’s report will be limited to the Quarterly Financial Report.
Mr. Mahunik provided the Board with quarterly financial reports. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Student Conduct Report, Mr. Reyes
Mr. Reyes presented the Board with the Annual Student Conduct and Discipline Report. (See Supplemental Minutes). The presentation covered discipline summary by building, suspension information, superintendent’s hearings, equity and trends in student management, police reports and arrests and supports for students. Mr. Reyes also discussed factors in improving and maintaining a positive school climate which included Culture of Wellness, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Curriculum and Programs and Communication. Lastly, Mr. Reyes discussed future plans and took questions from the Board.
At 9:10 p.m., the Board took a ten minute break.
At 9:20 p.m., the Board reconvened.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith updated the Board on enrollment numbers and said that a fourth section of 1st grade has been added to Tecumseh due to increased number of students. He said that the Moses DeWitt Kindergarten numbers are a little low but expect that they will go up and that the numbers at Jamesville Elementary are in good shape and holding. Dr. Smith said this is the time we start receiving requests for records and that he will be watching the numbers closely.
Dr. Smith provided a construction update for all buildings and said this has been a challenging summer. He said the High School STEAM wing and 7 classrooms are in good shape. He said we will be taking occupancy on August 31st with finishing work to be done after school begins. He also said the roof over the music wing is complete.
Dr. Smith reported on the Middle School and said this is where most of the challenges lie and said that he will be meeting with the construction management company every other day until the start of school. He said he is hopeful that teachers will be able to get into House 1 before school starts to set up their classrooms. Dr. Smith said that sharing of space is not an option and the contingency plan would be to start 6th grade late, but not the option we want. Dr. Smith said Houses 2 and 3 are working on punch list items, ceilings are down and grids going up, and the new ceiling in the cafeteria will be completed by the start of school. He said the Library will not be completed until November 1st, as scheduled and that the pool will be ready to use by September 5th. Dr. Smith said he will email the Board after his meeting with the construction management company.
Dr. Smith reported that the work on the entry way at Moses DeWitt has started with some unexpected challenges. He said the plan was to replace the door, but now the door frame needs to be replaced as well, and is scheduled to be complete by the start of the school year.
Dr. Smith reported that the Jamesville Gymnasium work, along with new bathrooms and sensory room are all expected to be complete by August 31st.
Dr. Smith reported that the High School Kitchen project is underway with the concrete floor poured, epoxy flooring being installed next week and dishwasher by September 16th. He said the other food service equipment will be installed by October 28th at which point the project will be finalized.
Dr. Smith updated the Board on the upcoming Superintendent’s Conference Days on August 31st and September 1st and shared the schedules for the days which includes Bystander Trainings at different buildings which are open for the Board to attend.
Dr. Smith said the Audit Committee met today and information will go out to the Board as well as the accepting of the internal audit report at the next Board meeting. Dr. Smith said the District Facebook page is being launched soon, with a goal to keep the community abreast of what is going on in the District.
Board President’s Report, Mrs. DeForest
Mrs. DeForest reminded the Board about the NYSSBA Conference, which is in Syracuse and asked all Board members to respond and let Tish know if they would like to attend. In addition, she reminded them to let Tish know if they would like to attend the Bystander Training as well. Mrs. DeForest shared information on books for a Book Study and asked for the Board to look at descriptions of the two books and get back to her with your interest. Finally, she reminded the Board of the Retreat next week and proposed beginning meeting at the Middle School at 6:30 p.m. for a brief meeting and then adjourn and tour the Middle School to see the construction work there and then drive to the High School to view the STEAM wing, with the hopes of having time after to do a reflection on the Board self-evaluation on goal setting for this year.
Board Vice-President’s Report, Mr. Gross
Mr. Gross reported that he attended a meeting with Interfaith Works with Dr. Smith, Mrs. DeForest and few others from the District. The meeting was to discuss moving forward with continuing the work they have started, including working with the District to provide public forums. He said that Interfaith Works has put a proposal together and that he would send the proposal out to the Board for review and would look for Board discussion surrounding what the role of the Board should be.
Community Comment Time #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There were none.
At 9:47 p.m., Mrs. Souser moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried (9-0-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Mahunik
Interim Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 9/12/22