Members Present
Dr. Archer (attended remotely)
Mrs. Austin
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad (attended remotely)
Ms. McKenney
Mr. Zogbhy
Mr. Al-Mudamgha (Student Board Member)
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Michelle McPeak, Ava Revercomb, Mark Duby, Mohammed AbdelAziz, Margery Haber, Betsy Porter, Ali Al-Mudamgha, Rabbi Irvin Beigel, Jane Beigel, Solomon Vaknine, Michael Cynamon, Sharon Van Stry, Sophia Caputo, Maria Vinci, Amanda Schleicher, Michael Fitzpatrick, Colin Walrath, Miley Carter, Noah Ransier
Mr. Gross called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:44 p.m. in the library of Tecumseh Elementary School.
Presentation. Mrs. Carducci, Principal
Mrs. Carducci started her presentation with statistics on student enrollment and demographics, and current staffing numbers. She shared information on curriculum updates, Response to Intervention within MTSS and the PST process. Mrs. Carducci talked about how students are connected to the areas of curriculum, school spirit and relationships and shared examples of each. Lastly, she spoke about communication with parents and the different tools used.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
At 8:18 p.m. Mrs. James Murad exited the meeting.
Red Ram Recognition
During Red Ram Recognition, Mr. Gross recognized and congratulated HS teachers Ashlee Childers and Mark McIntyre for achieving National Board Certification. In addition, Mr. Gross recognized and congratulated:
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- Karunamay Aggarwal and Amanda Aitken who were nominated for the 2024 Presidential Scholars Award
- Winners of the Shakespeare Monologue School-Level Competition: Eden Shirilan-Howlett, 1st place; Alex Bronchetti, 2nd place; and Lindsay Gaines, 3rd Eden Shirilan-Howlett will advance to the next round of competition.
Lastly, Mr. Gross congratulated the many students who, in addition to the school-based performances taking place over the last few weeks, are also involved in key roles in other community shows.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Community Comment Time
Mr. Gross asked for a motion to allow non-agenda items to be commented on during the first Community Comment Time.
Mr. Zoghby moved, and Ms. McKenney seconded the motion to allow non-agenda items to be commented on during the first Community Comment Time.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Rabbi Irvin Beigel commented on the October 7 terrorist attack and asked the board and administration to condemn the acts committed by Hamas in Israel, to recognize a growing trend of antisemitism across the country as well as in our area, and to ensure Jewish students can freely identify as Jews.
Jane Beigel commented on the October 7 terrorist attack and said since the last meeting, there has been no condemnation of Hamas, and no correction of the statement made by the District. She said no response is equal to being complicit and whitewashing history.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mr. Baxter moved, and Ms. McKenney seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
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- Superintendent’s Personnel recommendations and Substitute Appointments
- CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Internal Claims Auditor Reports
- Minutes of the December 4, 2023, Meeting
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Motion carried. (8-0-0).
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – December 18, 2023
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Nancy Trendowski, School Nurse, 52-week probationary appointment, replacing: V. Penoyer
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- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $27,038.52 (B5), prorated
- Certification: NYS Registered Nurse
- Effective: January 2, 2024
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, position, location, reason, and effective date:
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- Margaret Burton, Teaching Assistant, Moses DeWitt, FMLA, December 4, 2023, through February 23, 2024
- Samantha Kaufman, School Monitor, High School, FMLA, November 17, 2023, through February 8, 2024
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
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- Alexander Thornton, Custodial Worker I, 52-week probationary appointment, Custodial Department, $18.85/hr., December 19, 2023, replacing D. Baker
Approve Revised Board Meeting Calendar
Mr. Zoghby moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to approve the Revised Board Meeting Calendar. The revised Board Meeting Calendar will be posted on the website and part of Supplemental Minutes.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Approve Resolution to Authorize Filing of Return Tax Claims
Mr. Bartlett explained the standard resolution in which we turn over uncollected taxes to the County. The County then remits it back to us by April 1.
Ms. McKenney moved, and Mr. Baxter seconded the approval of the motion to approve the Resolution to Authorize Filing of Tax Claims. (See Supplemental Minutes)
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Accept Quarterly Treasurer’s Report
Mr. Bartlett stated that our new treasurer, Hongling He, has worked hard to get us caught up with the report covering July through November. He said she has done a fantastic job working with Jean Carter, former Treasurer. He reminded the Board that on January 29 we will have the 2nd quarter report and then on February 12 we will start doing a monthly report.
Mr. Babikian moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the acceptance of the Quarterly Treasurer’s Report. (See Supplemental Minutes)
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Board Policy – First Reading
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- 5530 Petty Cash Funds and Cash in School Buildings
This policy was brought to the December 4, 2023, meeting for a first reading and discussion.
Mr. Baxter moved, and Mr. Zoghby seconded the approval of Board Policy 5530, Petty Cash Funds and Cash in the School Buildings.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Mr. Gross reminded the Board that the spreadsheet is online and Board members can also contact either himself, Dr. Archer or Dr. Smith prior to the meeting.
School Business Administrator’s Report, Mr. Bartlett
Mr. Bartlett recapped the Community Eligibility Program sponsored by the USDA which allows for free breakfast and lunch for schools or districts that qualify. He said the threshold to qualify was lowered and three of our schools now qualify: Jamesville Elementary, Moses DeWitt and the Middle School, effective January 1, 2024, through June of 2027. He said we will have an opportunity to apply again in April to try to get Tecumseh and the High School qualified. A message will go out to the entire district to inform families. (See Supplemental Minutes)
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith started out his report with a review of the Syracuse University Community of Practice, which is a program that began two years ago and has school districts coming together with Professor Theoharis and Professor George to discuss efforts around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He said the first year was spent as a book study, and year two was primarily an opportunity for schools to come together to share practices, successes, and challenges around DEI work. Dr. Smith said this year, year three, districts are still coming together to meet once a month with JD’s administrative team attending. He said the group is still sharing practices and challenges as well as breaking into interest groups such as curriculum, student voice, audits, community engagement, equitable grading, disproportionality, grading at the elementary level, and restorative practices. He said this allows us to come together with other districts experiencing the same problems as us and share best practices. Dr. Smith said this work is connected to the NYS Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education framework.
Dr. Smith reported that along with Mr. Bartlett, and other district representatives, he met with National Grid regarding electric buses. The meeting was the first step on a very long road ahead. He said that after meeting with the representative of National Grid, he has a much better understanding of the pathway forward. He said that while he is not comfortable with the timeline or economics involved, he now has some sense of what needs to happen to electrify our fleet. He said this was the first in a series of meetings and the District will continue to push forward. He will keep the Board updated. Lastly, Dr. Smith provided the Board with upcoming events.
Board President’s Report
Mr. Gross was originally going to report on the Board retreat but due to unplanned absences, the retreat was postponed until the second week of January as a target date. He will get more information out to the Board regarding the date. He said that prior to the cancellation, he sent out a paper version of the board evaluation. Mr. Gross said there is no need to formally fill it out but encouraged members to come to the retreat with questions.
Student Board Member Report, Mr. Al-Mudamgha
Mr. Al-Mudamgha apologized for comments made and unprofessional language used during the public hearing. He said he did not have a formal report, but that there was a student who was scheduled to speak at the Public Forum in support of the changes to the District Safety Plan. He said he will share the results of the student survey on District Safety with the Board. He reported on the holiday themed decorations throughout the High School done by the Corporate Communications class. Mr. Al-Mudamgha said he felt the comments made by Rabbi and Mrs. Beigel were overstated and that antisemitism is not a significant problem at J-D. He said the Jewish Cultural Club is a great place for students to express their identity in a safe place. Lastly, he disagreed with Ms. Wagner’s comments regarding an unhealthy student climate and said and he feels that administration does a good job in helping students find trusted adults in the building. He said that he feels there is a healthy student climate at the High School and that students are respectful of each other.
Mr. Gross reiterated that any time a student sees any type of behavior towards another student that is not acceptable, they should find a trusted adult in the building. He said that is what, as a District, we are striving for. He thanked Mr. Al-Mudamgha for addressing this issue.
Community Comment Time #2
There were none.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There were none.
Mr. Gross stated that due to Mrs. Carducci’s illness, Executive Session of this meeting is suspended and will be rescheduled.
At 8:55 p.m., Mrs. Austin moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 1-8-24