Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mrs. Austin
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mr. Zogbhy (attended remotely)
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: Blair Magari, Dr. & Mrs. Arthur Haber, Josh Maciorowski, Melissa Quinn, Carolina Cuello, Alec Wade, Holly Salop Wallace, Julia Ziff, Matt Wells, Colleen Wells, Amanda Schleicher, Lauryn Gouldin, Tiffany Gratien, Shannon VanStry, Rabbi Irvin Beigel, Jane Beigel, Audrey Doyle, Sarrah Tiffany, and Michael Fitzpatrick.
Mr. Gross called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Large Group Room at the High School
Presentation, Mr. Lawson, Principal
Mr. Lawson welcomed the Board of Education to the High School and said his presentation will show the Board how the Strategic Plan is informing the work being done at the High School. Mr. Vitaliy Yanchuk, administrative intern, thanked Dr. Smith and the Board for the opportunity to work as an intern and shared a list of student achievements from academics, arts, and athletics. Mr. Lawson shared the four Building Goals for 2023-2034 as well as the current initiatives which include Academic Transparency, Academic Programming, Voice to Action and the Family Advisory Council. Mr. Lawson showed a video as an example of the work students have been able to create in the new media studio. Asst. Principal Nylen spoke about a new elective the High School will offer next year on drone operation, which will be an FAA endorsed curriculum. Mr. Lawson shared information on the partnership with OCC that would offer a pathway for students to earn credits in support of electromechanical technology certification. Asst. Principal DeJesus spoke about the JEDI Committee, Dialogue Circles, Human Relations class, Corporate Communications class and The Capstone Course. Mr. Lawson shared information on the Senior Capstone Course as well as the Family Advisory Committee.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Red Ram Recognition
Mr. Gross began by recognizing Ms. Lisa McKenney and thanked her for her service on the Board of Education. Ms. McKenney resigned as Board member on December 18 to avoid a conflict of interest with her current employer. Mr. Gross thanked her for all the work she has done over the last couple of years of service.
Mr. Gross recognized and thanked the custodial staff at each building for their hard work. He said they are working even when school is not in session.
Mr. Gross congratulated JDHS Junior Bryce Dadey for his wrestling accomplishments over break and to the 11 fall sports teams who earned scholar Team Awards from Section III. Teams earning that honor include: Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Gymnastics, Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Boys Volleyball, Girls Volleyball, Girls Swimming and Diving, Competitive Cheerleading, Girls Tennis and Boys Golf.
Lastly, Mr. Gross recognized and congratulated the Regional Deca Winners: Flora Mei, Leah Peterson, Maddy Murphy, Grayson Pitts, Sanaya Seth and Lyla Commendeur who took first place. Mr. Gross also recognized the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th place winners, as well as 1st Year Wildcard winners.
Mr. Al-Mudamgha congratulated members of the Model UN team who earned awards at the recent CNY MUN event.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Community Comment Time
Melissa Quinn commented in support of the addition of SRO’s in each building and asked the Board to be proactive and hire SRO’s for the safety of all students, staff and families.
Mr. Gross asked for a motion to allow non-agenda items to be commented on during the first community comment time.
Dr. Archer moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to allow non-agenda items to be commented on during the first community comment time.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Jane Beigel commented on an article that was published in the local paper, the Jewish Observer. She thanked student Board member Rami Al-Mudamgha for his words in the article as well as his request from the Board for a moment of silence for victims of the Hamas attack on October 7. She said she admired his courage, empathy and moral clarity.
Josh Maciorowski commented in support of adding SRO’s and thanked the Board for the security audit and recommendation. He said cost should not be a determining factor and asked the Board to vote yes in support of adding SRO’s.
Rachel Wagner commented against adding SRO’s to each building. She said we all want our kids to be safe and asked the Board to consider other options such as security guards, and door monitoring that would not require a gun to be carried.
Ruth Arena commented against adding SRO’s to each building. She provided a list of items she would like done before the Board commits to a vote.
Lauren Gouldin commented against adding SRO’s to each building. She noted the financial cost to the district and that adding SRO’s might undercut the gains we have made in equity.
Tiffany Gratien commented in favor of adding SRO’s and provided the Board with a petition with over 400 signatures from community members, staff and students in support of adding SRO’s in each building.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mrs. DeForest disclosed that she has a family member on the Personnel Recommendations and that she would like to vote if there were no objections. There were no objections.
Mrs. James Murad moved to remove the Minutes of the December 18, 2023 Public Hearing and Board Meeting from the Consent Agenda, Mr. Baxter seconded the Motion.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Mr. Baxter moved, and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to approve the Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments.
Motion carried. (8-0-0).
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – January 8, 2024
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Tara Osterdale, Regular Substitute, K-6 Classroom Teacher
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- Location: Jamesville Elementary School, replacing Farmer
- Salary: $29,269.00 (B1), prorated
- Certification: Childhood Education 1-6 in progress
- Effective: January 9, 2024 through June 30, 2024
Extra Duty Assignment – Intramurals – Middle School – 2023-2024 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Madison Eagan, Session 2 Intramural Coach Substitute, $308.00
- Ken Kline, Session 2 Intramural Coach, $286.00
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Richard Adler, Science Teacher, High School, September 2, 2024
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, position, location, reason and effective date:
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- Kristin Gallivan, English Teacher, High School, paid parental and FMLA leave from April 27, 2024 through June 2024
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Amy Farmer, Regular Substitute, K-6 Elementary Teacher, Jamesville Elementary School, December 31, 2023
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Keith Cieplicki, Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach, December 20, 2023
- Scott DeForest, Girls Modified Basketball Coach, January 2, 2024
Change in Status – Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Winter Coaching – 2023-2024
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Scott DeForest, Interim Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach, prorated salary $4,719.61, effective December 20, 2023
- Paul Valentino, Modified Girls Basketball Coach, $4,340, effective January 8, 2024
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary, and effective date:
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- Andrew Franco, Part-time Bus Attendant, Transportation Department, $16.00/hr., January 9, 2024, replacing M. Roth
- Allen Hough, Part-time Bus Attendant, Transportation Department, $16.00/hr., January 9, 2024, new position
- William Knowles, Substitute Custodial Worker, Custodial Department, $15.00/hr., January 9, 2024
Change in Status – Appointment
Name, change and stipend:
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- Deuretta Warner, from Custodian I to Custodian II, 52-week probationary appointment, Custodial Department, $32.54/hr., effective January 9, 2024, replacing P. Bianchi
Approve Minutes of the December 18, 2024 Public Hearing and Board Meeting
Mr. Baxter moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the December 18, 2024 Public Hearing and the Minutes of the December 18, 2024 Board Meeting.
Motion carried. (7-0-1). Mrs. James Murad abstained.
Approve Proposed Changes to the District Safety Plan
There was a discussion among the Board regarding adding SRO’s to the District Safety Plan.
Mr. Baxter moved and Mr. Babikian second the approval of the proposed changes to the District Safety Plan.
Motion carried. (7-1-0). Dr. Archer opposed.
Discussion – Board Vacancy
Mr. Gross reviewed the options available to fill the vacancy created by Ms. McKenney’s resignation. There are three options: call a special election; allow the Board to choose a member; or allow the BOCES Superintendent to choose a Board member. Mr. Gross said his intention was discuss in the matter in public session, but a greater conversation would take place during Executive Session regarding specific candidates. It was decided that the preferred route would be to choose a former board member.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
There was none.
Assistant Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Reyes, Technology Updates
Mr. Reyes shared Technology updates with the Board. He said the District has made steady progress with the infrastructure refresh and has implemented a new student safety solution called Go Guardian Beacon. Go Guardian Beacon identifies students at risk of suicide or possible risk of harm to others. Mr. Reyes said with regard to the infrastructure refresh that wiring upgrades are complete at Jamesville Elementary and Tecumseh, with Moses DeWitt next and then the Middle School and High School. Mr. Reyes said that all elementary schools and the Middle School have 100% wireless access and the High School is nearly complete. Mr. Reyes reviewed the funding for the technology updates and said the last refresh was 13 years ago. This refresh will serve as a basis for the security upgrades. Mr. Reyes recognized Mr. Jason Douglas and the rest of the technology team for their hard work, dedication and expertise to these upgrades.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith provided the Board with construction updates. He said we currently have eight construction projects at different stages. He said the Phase 1 and Energy Performance Contract have been challenging to complete and as such, the District is in the process of engaging with attorneys. He said the vast majority of this project is complete, but there is a small number of items that are incomplete.
Dr. Smith reported on Phase 2, which includes the softball field renovations and renovations in the High School. He said we will be taking possession of the three gender neutral bathrooms next week and that there is a small amount of work to be done on the softball fields this spring.
He said the E-rate Project, which may be used to put into place an uninterrupted power source at the elementary and Middle School buildings. He said we are currently investigating how to best accomplish this.
Dr. Smith said the Smart Schools Bond Act which is the backbone to the IP Paging and Access Controls Project, is being done at all the buildings. Dr. Smith said the wiring is currently complete at both Jamesville and Tecumseh and moving on to the other three buildings. He said next up is the installation of new clocks, warning and alarm systems, the new paging system and new lockdown systems in each building. Dr. Smith said he is cautiously optimistic that it will be done by the end of calendar year 2024.
Dr. Smith said the CRRSA Project, funded through federal COVID funds, is nearly complete and will complete the changeover of HVAC system controls at all buildings.
Dr. Smith said the Capital Outlay Project, which is the door replacement at the High School is approximately 50% complete.
Dr. Smith said the last project is the Emergency Lift Project at the High School fitness center that will make it more usable for students with disabilities. He said that project is held up waiting for State Education approval.
Lastly, Dr. Smith shared upcoming events which includes a 5th and 6th grade musical, Annie. He reminded the Board that last year, Dr. Smith wrote a letter to Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter, asking for additional aid to purchase sound equipment at the Middle School. He said the money was approved, equipment was purchased and is in the process of being installed. He also said the tickets for the upcoming High School musical, 9 to 5, are available for purchase on the website.
Board President’s Report
Mr. Gross reported that he spoke with Ms. James Murad and he is tasking the Policy Committee to create a policy regarding District public statements. He said this will be brought to the Policy Committee and then back to the Board for first and second readings.
Mr. Gross said the Board Retreat has been rescheduled for January 17 and asked all to read a second portion of the book, Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, as part of the book study. He also said they will be doing work around the Board mid-year self-evaluation.
Mr. Gross shared that on February 3, there will be a Legislative Forum organized through CNYSBA, that will cover many advocacy items, including State Foundation Aid Formula. He also said he signed up for a CNYSBA presentation on electric buses on January 20th and said it is a good topic for the Board to educate themselves on.
Student Board Member Report, Mr. Al-Mudamgha
Mr. Al-Mudamgha thanked the Jewish Federation of CNY for their positive comments and the newspaper article. He said it really meant a lot to him. He said he has an exciting project he is working on with Mr. Lawson and will share more at the next meeting. He reported that JD Model United Nations will be setting up a training conference for Middle School students, but he does not yet have a date. Mr. Al-Mudamgha said he will try to attend more club meetings and dialogue circles to provide an update to the Board.
Community Comment Time #2
Josh Maciorowski thanked the Board for adopting the changes to the District Safety Plan, which will add SRO’s to each building.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Mrs. DeForest said in the past, the Board has collected money to sponsor an ad(s) for the musicals at the Middle School and High School. She will look into it and update the Board.
At 8:56, Mrs. DeForest moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to move to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment history of particular person.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
At 8:56 Mr. Zoghby left the meeting.
At 9:44 p.m., Mrs. Austin moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn from Executive Session.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
At 9:44 p.m., Mr. Babikian moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 1-29-24