Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. Cortese
Mrs. DeForest
Mrs. James Murad
Mrs. Scott
Mr. Zoghby
Mr. Mantalios (student board member)
Administration Present
Dr. Smith, Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Mike Anderson
Dr. Archer called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:15 p.m. in the District Office and via Zoom.
Red Ram Recognition
Dr. Archer recognized the High School PTG which was newly reformed and revitalized. She said they have contributed significantly to homecoming, prom and other events and they are looking forward to a larger presence as they move into their second year.
She recognized and congratulated the following spring athletes and teams for their accomplishments:
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- Section 3 Scholar Athletes Lucas Chiorini and Sanaya Seth
- Section and New York State Champion in Golf, Jackson Saroney
- Track athletes who won second in the State: Terrell Willis for Triple Jump, Skyler Vaught and Kevin Vigneault for Shot Put
- Baseball team Section 3 Champions
- Boys Lacrosse, Section and Regional Champions and 2nd in the State
- Girls Lacrosse, Section and Regional Champions and played in the State Final Four
- Merris Kessler, Girls Lacrosse, all-time leading points player at J-D
Community Comment Time
There were no comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mrs. Cortese moved, and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
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- Amended Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations
- Approve Tenure Recommendation
- Accept CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Accept Internal Claims Auditor Reports
- Accept May Treasurer’s Report
- Approve Disposal of Surplus Assets
- Approve 2025-26 Professional Learning Plan
Dr. Smith indicated there was a revised Personnel Recommendations in the board folder as a salary was listed incorrectly. Mrs. Scott also indicated an incorrect date.
Dr. Archer indicated she had a family member on the personnel recommendations and would like to vote if there were no objections. There were no objections.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – June 16, 2025
INSTRUCTIONAL
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Sarah Boulton, Library Media Specialist, Middle School, paid parental leave and FMLA, October 12, 2025, through February 16, 2026
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, assignment, location, salary and effective date:
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- Michael Bayne, Bus Cleaner, Transportation, $15.50/hr., June 27, 2025
- Karen Berkley, Bus Cleaner, Transportation, $15.50/hr., June 27, 2025
- Matthew Chisholm, Bus Cleaner, Transportation, $15.50/hr., June 27, 2025
- Sheila Doss, Substitute Summer Custodial Worker, $15.50/hr., June 30, 2025
- Margaret Fuller, Bus Cleaner, Transportation, $15.50/hr., June 27, 2025
- Deanna Green, Bus Cleaner, Transportation, $15.50/hr., June 27, 2025
- Patricia Kibby, Deputy Treasurer, District Office, 52-week probationary appointment, $55,000.00, July 1, 2025, replacing S. Leverenz
- Brendan Krause, Technology Summer Help, District, $15.50/hr., July 7, 2025
- Nadiia Pechena, Bus Cleaner, Transportation, $15.50/hr., June 27, 2025
- Christopher Pernisi, Jr., Technology Summer Help, District, $15.50/hr., July 7, 2025 *
- David Robertson, Bus Driver, Transportation, 52-week probationary appointment, $35.39/hr., July 3, 2025, replacing M. Marr
- Joseph Vulcano, Substitute Custodial Worker, Custodial Dept., $15.50/hr., June 17, 2025
- Kenneth Whitney, Bus Cleaner, Transportation, $15.50/hr., June 27, 2025
- Alan Zimmerman, Technology Summer Help, District, $28.00/hr., July 7, 2025
*Pending completion of the fingerprint process
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date
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- Michael Marr, School Bus Driver, Transportation, June 28, 2025
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Patricia Kibby, Typist II, High School, June 30, 2025
Approve Tenure Recommendation
Superintendent’s Tenure Recommendations – June 16, 2025
Name: Katherine Ward
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- Tenure Area: K-6 Elementary
- Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
- Effective Date: September 6, 2025
Approve the Minutes of the June 2, 2025 Board Meeting
Mr. Baxter moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the June 2, 2025 Board meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Approve Modification of the 2024-25 Budget Due to Receipt of Insurance Funds
Mr. Bartlett explained this modification is a result of the incident in the STEAM room which required a significant cost to clean up. He said that our property insurance covered the expense, excluding the deduction. This modification is necessary to reflect the budget increase from the insurance payment.
Mrs. Cortese moved, and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to approve a modification of the 2024-25 budget due to receipt of insurance funds.
Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Board Vacancy Discussion and Approval
Mr. Zogbhy moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to discuss the board vacancy and approve filling of the open seat.
Dr. Archer stated that the board had an opportunity to discuss the vacancy. Mrs. James Murad will be retained on the board for another year to fill the vacant seat created by the resignation of Mr. Gross. There was no discussion.
Motion carried. (7-0-1) Mrs. James Murad abstained.
Mrs. James Murad read and signed her oath of office. Dr. Archer congratulated and thanked Mrs. James Murad.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
There was none.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith provided the board with an update on the Southwood property. He said the legislation to approve a park district on leased land has been passed by the assembly and that after doing a little research, he believes it has also passed the Senate. He said the next and last step would be the Governor signing the legislation.
Dr. Smith shared an update on the Verizon cell tower. He said that Verizon had previously asked for consideration to move the tower to the north. Dr. Smith said that he, along with Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Crawford and representatives from Verizon, looked at the location and it was decided that the district will not consider moving the location. He said this land is substantially more valuable to the district and is not an option. He said the Town requested that Verizon come back with a better architectural design around the tower base. Verizon came back with a no-climb fence. He said the district asked for additional landscaping on the north and west of the fence. Dr. Smith said it will go back to the Town of DeWitt planning board in July or August.
Dr. Smith shared an update on the Superintendent transition and Principal transition at Moses DeWitt. Ms. Torie Lee visited Moses DeWitt this past week and met with students, staff and Mrs. Sylvester. Ms. Lee toured the building and observed arrival procedures. Dr. Smith said she is very excited to start on July 1. Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Carducci will be meeting with Ms. Lee on her second day. He said there is a strong transition plan in place and that Dr. Woodcock, Mr. Reyes and Mr. Franz will all be involved with the plan.
Dr. Smith indicated he has been in regular contact with Dr. Woodcock and last week they visited all the buildings together, including a visit with Ms. Lee while she in the district. The principals were around to give Dr. Woodcock a tour and to give building information. She had an opportunity to interact with students and staff. Dr. Smith said Dr. Woodcock was thrilled to have the opportunity and our staff was enthusiastic about meeting her.
Lastly, Dr. Smith shared upcoming events.
Board President’s Report
Dr. Archer acknowledged Dr. Smith at his last board meeting. She said he has committed many years to the district and that his countless hours for this 24-hour a day job are appreciated. Dr. Archer said her personal philosophy is that you leave things better than you find them, and Dr. Smith has done exactly that. The board were all in agreement and thanked him for his service.
Student Board Member Report: Mr. Mantalios
Mr. Mantalios said this is his last meeting. He said it has been an honor to serve on the board and that he hopes he added value to the conversations. Mr. Mantalios introduced Sabah Ghanim, who was elected ex-officio student board member for the 25-26 school year. Mr. Ghanim said he was excited to be part of the board and is looking forward to starting. The board welcomed Mr. Ghanim, and thanked Mr. Mantalios for his service. They congratulated him on his graduation and wished him well.
Community Comment Time, 2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There was none.
At 7:35 p.m., Mrs. Scott moved, and Mr. Zoghby seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: July 14, 2025