Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mrs. Cortese
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. D’Imperio
Dr. Lei
Dr. Nolan
Mrs. Scott
Mr. Zoghby
Mr. Wagner-Flynn (Student board member)
Members Absent
Mr. Babikian
Administration Present
Dr. Woodcock, Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
At 6:00 p.m., Dr. Archer called to order the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education in the District Office. YouTube Livestream encountered technical problems and therefore did not broadcast. A portion of the meeting was recorded via Zoom and will be available on the district website.
Red Ram Recognition
Dr. Archer recognized the district administrators who have been working to get everything ready for the start of school as well as Mr. Bartlett for his work with the facilities and capital projects.
Dr. Woodcock recognized the Transportation Department for their work getting all the bus routes together to make sure the students arrive at school and back home safely.
Mr. Wagner-Flynn recognized Mr. Nylen and the Counseling Department for their work in putting together student schedules.
Community Comment Time #1
There were no comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mrs. Cortese moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to approve the following Consent Agenda:
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- Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations, Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations, Substitute Appointments and Substitute Reappointments
- Approve CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Approve Treasurer’s Reports
Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – August 24, 2026
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointment
Name, assignment, location, and effective date: Ann Rodak, full-time Assistant Principal, four-year probationary appointment, replacing D. Nylen
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- Location: Jamesville-DeWitt High School
- Salary: $97,500.00
- Tenure Area: Assistant Principal
- Certification: Initial School Building Leader, Professional Generalist in Middle Childhood Education 5-9, Professional Childhood Education 1-6, Professional Students with Disabilities 1-6, Professional Students with Disabilities Generalist 5-9
- Effective: August 25, 2026
Change in Status Appointments
Name and position: Mariah Lamas, Teaching Assistant, called back to full-time from Preferred Eligibility List, replacing S. Scott
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- Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
- Salary: $31,698.00
- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Certification: TA Level I
- Effective: July 1, 2026
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Fall Coaching 2026-2027 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Melissa Quinn, Girls Modified Soccer Coach, $4,500.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Winter Coaching 2026-2027 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Emily Rowles, Boys Head Indoor Track Coach, $7,338.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2026-2027 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Jacob Brodsky, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Charles Clinton, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Joseph DeChick, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Joseph Goldberg, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Jeffrey Ike, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Jeffrey Ike, Bus Supervision, $1,440.00
- John Lembeck, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Lauren Ludovico, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Margaret McBurney, Bus Supervision, $1,440.00
- Meghan McGee, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Mark McIntyre, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Melissa Moore, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Melissa Moore, Bus Supervision, $1,440.00
- Connie Myers, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Lori Pratt, Bus Supervision, $1,440.00
- Diane Rushford, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- William Sauve, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Linda Slade, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Larry Stroh, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
- Vitaliy Yanchuk, Bus Supervision, $1,440.00
- Vitaliy Yanchuk, Cafeteria Supervision, $2,058.00
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Alyssa Ascenzo, Teaching Assistant, Tecumseh Elementary School, September 2, 2026
- Sabrina Scott, Teaching Assistant, Jamesville-DeWitt High School, August 24, 2026
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointment
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Heorhii Borodavko, Teacher Aide, F/T, 52-week probationary appointment, Middle School, $16.20/hr.*, September 2, 2026, replacing N. Hall
- Shawn Case, Substitute School Nurse, Districtwide, September 8, 2026
- Elizabeth Dringoli, Teacher Aide, F/T, 52-week probationary appointment, Middle School, $16.20/hr.*, September 2, 2026, replacing A. Hunter
- Jakob French, Teacher Aide, F/T, 52-week probationary appointment, Middle School, $16.20/hr.*, September 2, 2026, replacing A. McGrath
- Adam Joseph, Custodial Worker I, F/T, 52-week probationary appointment, Custodial Department, $26.83/hr., September 8, 2026, replacing H. Burke
- Tsedey Kassa, Substitute Bus Driver, Transportation Department, $28.00**, August 25, 2026
- Tina Mason, Bus Attendant, P/T, Transportation Department, $20.25/hr., Augus 25, 2026, replacing T. Kassa
- Kristi Mullin, Substitute Bus Driver, Transportation Department, $28.00**, August 25, 2026
- Nah’V’Ere Reed, Teacher Aide, F/T, 52-week probationary appointment, Tecumseh Elementary School, $16.20/hr.*, September 2, 2026, replacing D. Kaur
- Robert Ure, Custodial Worker I, F/T, 52-week probationary appointment, Custodial Department, $26.83/hr., August 25, 2026, replacing X. Lewis
*to be increased to $20.45/hr. once contract is ratified
**rate of $28.00/hr. is effective on August 31, 2026
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Crystal Gill, Teacher Aide, Jamesville-DeWitt High School, August 11, 2026
- Nevaeh Hall, Teacher Aide, Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School, August 10, 2026
- Tsedey Kassa, Bus Attendant, Transportation Department, August 24, 2026
Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – August 24, 2026
INSTRUCTIONAL
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Fall Coaching 2026-2027 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Luke Smith, Varsity Football Coach, Volunteer, $0
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Anastasia Sabine, Art Teacher, Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School, FMLA, September 22, 2026 through December 14, 2026
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Karen Graham, Teaching Assistant, Tecumseh Elementary School, August 21, 2026
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Jakob French, Teacher Aide, Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School, August 24, 2026
Dr. Woodcock introduced and welcomed Ann Rodak who was appointed as Assistant Principal of the High School. Ms. Rodak will begin working at the High School tomorrow.
Approve Minutes of the July 13, 2026 Public Hearing
Mr. D’Imperio moved and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the July 13, 2026 Public Hearing.
Motion carried. (7-0-1) Mrs. Cortese abstained.
Approve Minutes of the August 3, 2024 Board Meeting
Mrs. DeForest moved and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the August 3, 2026 Board Meeting.
Motion carried. (5-0-3) Dr. Lei, Mr. Zoghby and Mrs. Scott abstained.
Approve District Safety Plan
Dr. Woodcock stated that there have been no comments during the public comment period.
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mr. D’Imperio seconded the motion to approve the District Safety Plan.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Approve UPK Agreement between Jamesville-DeWitt and Rothschild Early Childhood Center (RECC)
Mrs. Cortese moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to approve the agreement between Jamesville-DeWitt and Rothschild Early Childhood Center.
Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Approve UPK Agreement between Jamesville-DeWitt and Little Lukes
Mrs. Scott moved and Dr. Lei seconded the motion to approve the agreement between Jamesville-DeWitt and Little Lukes.
Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Dr. Woodcock reviewed the list of items for potential consideration for future meetings, some of which will be discussed tonight. The following items are on the list: school start times, coaching certification and evaluation, equity, Portrait of a Graduate and New York Inspires as well as the opportunity for building tours.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Woodcock
Dr. Woodcock began her report with follow-up from the last meeting. The first item she discussed was opportunities for building tours and the possibility of connecting them to board meetings. She said that she discussed this with Mr. Bartlett and came up with an idea to begin each Facilities Committee meeting with a building tour in a different building. The Board would be invited to take part in the tour and sit as a guest for the Facilities Committee meeting.
Dr. Woodcock addressed questions about the CEP participation for free breakfast and lunch. She said approximately 24% of our students took advantage of free breakfast and approximately 55% of our students took advantage of free lunch. She said our Food Service Department will try to increase the numbers and report back to the Board.
Dr. Woodcock addressed questions about the comparison of bus rides and availability of breakfast and lunch for our Pre-K students at Little Lukes and RECC. She said the rides to the Little Lukes and RECC are approximately 10 to 12 minutes longer than the rides to the elementary schools and all routes are under 45 minutes. Dr. Woodcock reported that both breakfast and lunch at Little Lukes are provided at no cost and at RECC, a free morning and afternoon snack are provided with students bringing lunch from home.
Dr. Woodcock provided an update on opening day and building readiness. She said paving at Tecumseh has begun is confident that parking lot and parent loop will be ready on time. Dr. Woodcock said both her and Mr. Bartlett had an opportunity to walk through all buildings with the facilities team to make sure that the interiors and exteriors are ready to welcome students back in two weeks. She shared an update on each building. Dr. Woodcock said she has a phone call this week with Widewaters Group to advocate again for the use of the parking lot next to Moses DeWitt.
Dr. Woodcock shared upcoming events including new educator orientation by Mr. Reyes and Mr. Franz, staff opening days, new student orientations, elementary sneak peeks and picnics, beginning of fall sports and fall sports parent meeting.
Dr. Woodcock shared a presentation on NY Inspires, which is the new way graduation will be measured. She provided the board with a brief report but will give the board access to the full presentation. (See Supplemental Minutes). The presentation included information on the four phases as well as timelines.
Student Board Member Report: Mr. Wagner-Flynn
Mr. Wagner-Flynn said he did not have a report due to the summer break but will be able to provide a report to the Board once the school year begins.
Board President’s Report, Dr. Archer
Dr. Archer reminded the Board of the upcoming NYSSBA Conference on October 22 – 24. She said there is a lot of information on NY Inspires and how school districts are planning for it. She will take notes and report back to the Board. Dr. Woodcock said there is a virtual option that is available for anyone interested as the Buffalo hotels are filling up quickly.
Dr. Archer said that in the most recent edition of On Board, there is an article with information on AI in education and suggested reading it. She said this is a topic that will be discussed in sessions at the NYSSBA Conference as well.
Dr. Archer stated the Board has agreed upon retreat and forum dates. She said the first retreat will be on October 1 and the second retreat on January 7. Dr. Archer said the first public forum will be on November 5 and the second on January 21. She thanked the Board and appreciated their help with scheduling, as she understands how busy everyone is.
Lastly, Dr. Archer mentioned 2026 Delegate Voting for NYSSBA. She has an email she will forward to the Board. She asked if anyone has an interest in this advocacy. Mrs. DeForest volunteered and said she would get input from the Board.
Community Comment Time #2
Mr. Nicholas Hart submitted an online Community Comment request regarding exemptions. Dr. Archer indicated that she was aware he was interested in the Veteran’s exemption and she would reach out to him. Kearney
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Dr. Woodcock was hoping to provide an update to the Board on exemptions. She said that Mr. Bartlett has been in contact with Kate Kearney who is the Real Property Tax Director for Onondaga County to provide us with data on permanent and total disability exemptions for the military and for senior citizen exemptions. Ms. Kearney indicated it would not be hard to get the information, and Dr. Woodcock is hoping to provide an update to the Board ahead of September 14 so a discussion can take place at the meeting.
Mrs. DeForest asked about the Policy Committee and when the Policy Manual would be scheduled to be reviewed again. Dr. Woodcock indicated the last review was 2024 through 2026 and the next review will be 2027 through 2029. Dr. Woodcock said our Policy Manual is reviewed through Erie 1 BOCES.
At 6:32 p.m., Mrs. Scott moved and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Hauser
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: September 14, 2026