Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. Cortese
Mrs. James Murad
Dr. Lei
Mrs. Scott
Mr. Ghanim (Student board member)
Members Absent
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Zoghby
Administration Present
Dr. Woodcock, Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Others in attendance: Cameron McQuiston, Sharon Kim, Luca Prattico, Michael Fitzpatrick, and Maggie Bliss.
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.
Red Ram Recognition
Dr. Archer recognized all High School staff for their flexibility during the power outage last Friday. She said she realizes how difficult an unplanned early dismissal is and commended everyone involved for their work in making sure all students were dismissed safely.
Mr. Ghanim said he was not in school on the day of the early dismissal but was fortunate to be representing Jamesville-DeWitt in the CNY Model United Nations at Syracuse University at that time. He said the Jamesville-DeWitt Students did an amazing job and recognized the following students for their accomplishments:
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- Alex Polomsky – Honorable Mention
- Evan Wagner Flynn – Honorable Mention
- Carsyn Geisler Price – Best Delegate
- Arwa Algergawi – Honorable Mention
- Kaylie Sheedy – Honorable Mention
- Ronen Shapiro – Outstanding Delegate
- Matthew Centolella – Outstanding Delegate
- Dean Bratslavsky – Outstanding Delegate
- Emily Qiao – Best New Crisis Delegate
- Andrew Yelverton – Best position paper
Mr. Ghanim also thanked Mr. Brodsky and Mr. McIntyre for leading the group.
Mr. Franz commented that this was a large-scale conference with over 1,000 students in attendance. Mr. Ghanim said Jamesville-DeWitt also received second place in Media Delegation, with 30 delegations competing.
Dr. Woodcock recognized the Middle School Lego Team who won third place at their conference and qualified for the state competition in February.
Community Comment Time #1
There were no comments.
Approve Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments
Dr. Archer disclosed that she had a family member on the personnel recommendations and indicated that she would like to vote if there was no opposition. There was no opposition to her voting.
Mrs. Scott moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to approve the Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – January 12, 2026
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointment
Name and position: Madison Hadley, K-6 Elementary Teacher (Regular Sub), replacing K. Lewis (leave)
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- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary School
- Salary: $30,487.00 (B2) (prorated)
- Certification: Initial Childhood Education Grades 1-6
- Effective: January 13, 2026 through June 26, 2026
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Spring Coaching – 2025-2026
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- David Archer, Boys JV Lacrosse Head Coach, $6,706.00
- Jamie Archer, Boys Varsity Lacrosse Head Coach, $10,173.00
- Dominic Biddlecome, Girls Varsity Flag Football Head Coach, $7,141.00
- Solomon Bliss, Boys Varsity Lacrosse Assistant Coach, $6,301.00
- Jeffrey Cantor, Girls Varsity Softball Head Coach, $6,581.00
- Charles Clinton, Boys Modified Lacrosse Coach, $6,120.00
- Christopher Constantino, Boys Varsity Lacrosse Assistant Coach, $6,797.00
- Joseph Corridori, Boys Modified Track Assistant Coach, $4,254.00
- Ryan Dera, Varsity Baseball Head Coach, $7,554.00
- Reilly Geer, Girls Varsity Lacrosse Assistant Coach, $4,944.00
- Patrick Gillette, Girls Varsity Track Head Coach, $7,482.00
- Theresa Goad, Girls JV Lacrosse Head Coach, $5,800.00
- Will Hartley, Girls Lacrosse Coach, $5,265.00
- Courtney Keough, Unified Bowling Coach, $981.00
- Paul Krause, Girls Varsity Softball Assistant Coach, $4,607.00
- Daniel Law, Boys Modified Lacrosse Coach, $6,042.00
- John Lenish, Varsity Track, Assistant Coach, $3,997.00
- Megan Murphy, Girls Varsity Lacrosse Head Coach, $8,377.00
- Parker Noble, Boys Varsity Track Head Coach, $5,710.00
- Stephanie O’Rourke, Girls JV Lacrosse Assistant Coach, $4,946.00
- Kristin Panzetta, Unified Bowling Coach, $961.00
- Tracy Parker, Girls Varsity Lacrosse Assistant Coach, $5,240.00
- Mary Pidkaminy, Girls Varsity Flag Football Assistant Coach, $4,852.00
- Melissa Quinn, Girls Modified Lacrosse Coach, $5,754.00
- Joshua Paduano, Varsity Baseball Head Coach, $4,157.00
- Kristen Panzetta, Modified Softball Coach, $3,362.00
- Samantha Purrman, Girls Modified Track Assistant Coach, $3,426.00
- Nancy Raicht, Varsity Track Assistant Coach, $4,241.00
- Dennis Schahczenski, JV Softball Head Coch, $5,354.00
- Brendon Schunck, Modified Baseball Coach, $3,362.00
- Eugene Sul, Boys Varsity Tennis Head Coach, $6,167.00
- Kurt Sweeney, Boys Modified Track Coach, $3,787.00
- Paul Valentino, Modified Baseball Coach, $5,293.00
- Kyle Voyer, Boys Modified Tennis Coach, $2,855.00
- Alexander Way, JV Baseball Head Coach, $4,157.00
- Nicole Zablotny, Varsity Track Assistant Coach, $4,811.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School Intramurals Session 2
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Jessica Duerr, Intramural Coach, $214.11
- Ashlyn McGrath, Intramural Coach, $118.95
- Mary Pidkaminy, Intramural Coach, $71.37
- Andy Starowicz, Intramural Coach, $95.16
- Kathryn Woodrick, Intramural Coach, $95.16
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Sarah Levesque, Science Teacher, Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School, paid parental leave of absence, March 24, 2026 through May 19, 2026
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Paul Valentino, Physical Education Teacher, Middle School, July 1, 2026
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Rhonda Francey, Teacher Aide, Moses DeWitt, January 31, 2026
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Donna Knapp, Bus Driver, Transportation, January 2, 2026
Termination
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Kayla Cervantes, Teacher Aide, High School, December 19, 2025
Approve Tenure Recommendation
Superintendent’s Tenure Recommendations – January 12, 2026
Name: Lindsay Amidon
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- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Location: Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School
- Effective Date: March 8, 2026
Approve Minutes of the December 8, 2025 Public Hearing
Dr. Lei moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2025 Public Hearing.
Motion carried. (6-0-1) Mr. Babikian abstained.
Approve Minutes of the December 8, 2025 Regular Hearing
Mr. Baxter moved and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2025 Board Meeting.
Motion carried. (6-0-1) Mr. Babikian abstained.
Adopt District Wide Safety Plan
Dr. Woodcock stated that no comments were received during the thirty-day public comment period. There was no discussion among the Board.
Mrs. Cortese moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to adopt the District Wide Safety Plan.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Board Policies, Second Reading
The following policies were brought to the Board for a second reading:
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- 5413 – Procurement Uniform Grant Guidance for Federal Awards
- 5681 – School Safety Plans
- 5850 – Data Networks and Security Access
- 5851 – Cybersecurity Incident Response
- 7522 – Concussion Management
Mrs. James Murad indicated that these policies are straight forward and come as recommendations to keep the district up to date. There was no discussion.
Dr. Lei moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adopt the following board policies:
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- 5413 – Procurement Uniform Grant Guidance for Federal Awards
- 5681 – School Safety Plans
- 5850 – Data Networks and Security Access
- 5851 – Cybersecurity Incident Response
- 7522 – Concussion Management
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
There was none.
Budget Discussion: 2026-2027 Budget Presentation, Mr. Bartlett
Dr. Woodcock and Mr. Bartlett shared a presentation on the 2026-2027 Budget which included a budget timeline and update, information on the Federal, State and Local budgets and how they affect Jamesville-DeWitt, and the next steps. Dr. Woodcock and Mr. Bartlett took questions from the Board.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Woodcock
Dr. Woodcock began her report by stating that we will share a budget update at every meeting up until the Budget Vote on May 19. Dr. Woodcock shared an update on the Community Forum taking place on February 4 and said that an invitation will be forthcoming. She shared a description of each of the three topics: Equity, Safety and Portrait of a Graduate, as well as the presenters for each topic. She said that all are invited to take part in the presentations.
Dr. Woodcock said the Town of DeWitt has reached out to her regarding the after-school program and whether we can keep it open when the district is closed for after-school activities. She said the afterschool program is housed at Tecumseh and has students bussed from the other elementary schools to the program. When after-school activities are cancelled due to weather, it has been a long-standing practice to close the after-school program and send all students home on the buses. Dr. Woodcock shared the background on why the program closes when after-school activities are cancelled and the need for after-school care by working families. There was a board discussion and Dr. Woodcock asked the board to think about this, and she will put it in her weekly update. Lastly, Dr. Woodcock shared upcoming events.
Committee Reports
Dr. Archer stated there will be a Finance Committee update at the next meeting.
Student Board Member Report: Mr. Ghanim
Mr. Ghanim reported that the student body is looking forward to the upcoming multicultural night and the walkathon in February. He said the student government will vote on an amendment to the student constitution. Mr. Ghanim said students have been discussing the new gowns for graduation and that some students, including himself, felt they should have been allowed to choose the design for the robes.
Board President’s Report: Dr. Archer
Dr. Archer said it is time to start thinking about mid-year board self-evaluation and mid-year superintendent evaluation. She said she will build some time on the February meeting agenda to discuss this.
Community Comment Time #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There was no unfinished and continuing business.
At 7:51 p.m., Mrs. Cortese moved and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to adjourn to Executive session to discuss legal updates.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
At 8:04 p.m., Mrs. James Murad moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn Executive session.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
At 8:05 p.m., Mrs. Scott moved and Dr. Lei seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Hauser
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: February 9, 2026