Minutes of June 2, 2025, Board of Education Meeting - Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District

Members Present

Dr. Archer
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. Cortese
Mrs. DeForest
Mrs. James Murad
Mrs. Scott
Mr. Zoghby

Members Absent

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: Maggie Lister, Olivia Conley, Janet Rider, Aden Kadim, Max Curinga, Michael Fitzpatrick, and Ashley Carducci.

Dr. Archer called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:00 p.m. in the District Office via Zoom.

At 6:01 p.m., Mr. Zoghby moved, and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to move to Executive Session.

Motion carried. (8-0-0).

At 6:52 p.m., Mrs. Scott moved, and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn Executive Session.

Motion carried. (8-0-0).

At 7:00 p.m., Dr. Archer called the regular meeting to order.

Red Ram Recognition

Dr. Archer recognized parents and PTA/PTG groups for all the work they do at the end of the school year to make the celebratory events happen. She thanked the volunteers for their hard work.

Dr. Archer also recognized the custodial and maintenance staff as they prepare for the work they will be doing once summer break begins. She said the work does not go unnoticed and that the custodial and maintenance staff are appreciated.

Community Comment Time

Laurin Haddad requested to speak regarding weapons detection systems. Ms. Haddad could not be found online and was not in attendance at the time.

Approve Consent Agenda

Mr. Babikian moved and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

- Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments
- Accept April Treasurer’s Report
- Approve 2025-2026 Board of Education Meetings Calendar
- Authorize OCM BOCES to provide Equivalent Attendance, Employment Preparation, and Adult Continuing Education programs.
- Approve Annual Cooperative Bidding Resolution Notification
- Approve Overnight Field Trip Request

Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)

Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – June 2, 2025

INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Kara Azria, Administrative Intern, Temporary Appointment

- Location: High School
- Salary – $0
- Effective: August 18, 2025 – June 30, 2026

Name and position: Aidan Blaylock, Music Teacher, four-year probationary appointment, replacing A. Greene

- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $62,364 (B2-M+33)
- Certification: Initial Music
- Effective: August 27, 2025

Name and position: Lina Choi, K-6 Elementary Teacher, four-year probationary appointment, replacing M. Aquino

- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $67,745.00 (B1-M+68)
- Certification: Initial Childhood 1-6*
- Effective: August 27, 2025

Name and position: Kristina Valentino, Music Teacher, four-year probationary appointment, replacing D. Cunningham

- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $58,117.00 (B+23)
- Certification: Initial Music *
- Effective: August 27, 2025

*Pending completion of the certification process

Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2025-2026 School Year

Name, assignment, and stipend:

- David Bunyan, Social Studies Department Chair, $6,581.00
- Keith Comfort, Science Department Chair, $5,493.00
- Mike Melfi, Special Education Department Chair, $5,493.00
- Emily Rowles, Small Departments Chair, $5,603.00
- Diane Rushford, English Department Chair, $6,183.00
- Xiomara Santos, World Languages Department Chair, $5,710.00
- Sue Techman, Math Department Chair, $7,381.00

Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School – 2025-2026 School Year

Name, assignment, and stipend:

- Molly Anthony, Math Department Chair, $6,444.00
- Nicole Christian, Special Education Department Chair, $5,603.00
- Kelly Colone, Science Department Chair, $5,603.00
- Patricia Ferris, Special Areas, Department Chair, $5,603.00
- Kimberly Giammichele, World Languages Department Chair, $5,710.00
- Tracy Parker, Social Studies Department Chair, $6,059.00
- Amy Spitzer, ELA Department Chair (7/8), $5,710.00
- Andrew Starowicz, ELA Department Chair (5/6), $5,710.00

Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Jamesville Elementary – 2025-2026 School Year

Name, assignment, and stipend:

- Martha Davey, Co-Resource Leader, $1,849.00
- Ashley Finlon, Co-Resource Leader, $1,884.00
- Amanda Royce, Co-Resource Leader, $1,849.00
- Stephanie Sindoni, Student Supervisor, $3,686.00

Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Moses DeWitt Elementary – 2025-2026 School Year

Name, assignment, and stipend:

- Brett Bartholomew, Student Supervisor, $3,686.00
- Jodi Schwedes, Co-Resource Leader, $2,802.00
- Nicole Wylde, Co-Resource Leader, $2,855.00

Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Tecumseh Elementary – 2025-2026 School Year

Name, assignment, and stipend:

- Jenny Murphy, Co-Resource Leader, $2,802.00
- Susan Ransier, Student Supervisor, $3,202.00
- Rebecca Trevisani, Co-Resource Leader, $2,855.00

Request for Retirement

Name, assignment, location, and effective date:

- Mary Panek, Library Media Specialist, High School, June 30, 2025
- Matthew Phillips, English Teacher, High School, July 18, 2025

NONINSTRUCTIONAL

Appointments

Name, assignment, location, salary, and effective date:

- Zoey Baker, Summer Substitute Custodial Worker, Custodial Dept., $15.50/hr., June 30, 2025
- Emma Carlton, Summer Substitute Custodial Worker, Custodial Dept., $15.50/hr., June 30, 2025
- Patricia Carter, Summer Substitute Custodial Worker, Custodial Dept., $15.50/hr., June 30, 2025
- Alassandra Casimiro, Substitute Custodial Worker, Custodial Dept., $15.50/hr., June 3, 2025
- Steven Dunn, Seasonal Grounds Worker, Custodial Dept., $16.50/hr., June 30, 2025
- Rebecca Forgione, Typist II, Moses DeWitt, 52-week probationary appointment, $18.75/hr., July 1, 2025, replacing D. Hiller
- Tracy Lewis, Substitute Custodial Worker, Custodial Dept., $15.50/hr., June 30, 2025
- Tammie Mack, Bus Driver, Transportation Department, 52-week probationary appointment, $34.36/hr., June 5, 2025, replacing L. Obit
- Theresa Quinn, Summer Substitute Custodial Worker, Custodial Dept., $15.50/hr., June 30, 2025
- Sue Smith, Food Service Worker, Cafeteria, $16.70/hr., June 3, 2025, replacing M. Yackel

Request for Retirement

Name, assignment, location, and effective date

- Lewis Obit, Jr., School Bus Driver, Transportation, June 4, 2025

Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:

- Rebecca Forgione, Food Service Worker, Cafeteria, June 30, 2025
- Cheryl Hinman, Typist II, PPS Dept., June 2, 2025

Approve the Minutes of the May 12, 2025, Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting

Mr. Baxter moved, and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the May 12, 2025, Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting.

Motion carried. (5-0-3) Mr. Babikian, Mrs. Cortese and Mr. Zoghby abstained.

Accept the Results of the 2025-2026 Budget Vote and Board of Education Election.

Mrs. Cortese moved, and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to approve the 2025-2026 District Calendar.

Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)

Approve Change to 2024-2025 District Calendar

Dr. Smith reminded the Board of the discussion that took place at the last meeting, where this change would move the last day of school from June 27 to June 26 for teachers and students. He said that we have met our 180-day requirement, and this lines up with the other school districts in our area. Dr. Smith said we will begin the notifications to families as soon as possible.

Mrs. DeForest moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to approve the change to the 2024-2025 District Calendar.

Motion carried. (8-0-0)

Discussion: Options for Filling Board Vacancy

Mr. Babikian moved, and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to discuss options for filling the board vacancy.

Motion carried. (8-0-0)

Mrs. DeForest stated that historically, the past practice has been to appoint a board member that has previously been elected and served.

Dr. Smith explained the three options when there is a vacancy. He said the first option is to leave the position open and the OCM BOCES Superintendent or the Commissioner of Education would step in and fill the position.

He said the second option is to hold a special election for the seat and the third option is to fill the opening with a board appointment.

Mr. Babikian said it makes sense to appoint someone to fill the one-year opening with someone who has already been trained and already served.

Dr. Smith stated that in this case, the board member that is appointed would serve until the board of education election in May 2026. At that time, their appointment ends, and the newly appointed candidate will take their oath at the next board meeting.

Dr. Archer stated the board will table the discussion until the June 16 meeting when an official decision will be made.

Approve Settlement Agreement

Mrs. James Murad moved, and Mr. Zoghby seconded the motion to approve a settlement agreement.

Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)

Dr. Smith explained that this is a legal situation involving one of the contractors on the 2020 capital project. He is recommending the settlement as both parties came to agreement willingly.

Approve 2025-2026 Capital Outlay Project SEQRA Resolution

Mrs. James Murad moved, and Mrs. Cortese seconded the following 2025-2026 Capital Outlay Project SEQRA Resolution:

JAMESVILLE-DEWITT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
SEQRA RESOLUTION

June 2, 2025

WHEREAS, the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District is considering undertaking a capital improvement project consisting of Door Replacement at the Middle School, including, site improvements, original furnishings, fixtures, and equipment (the “Project”); and

WHEREAS, the District, as a local agency pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”), ECL Section 8-0 IO1, et seq., and implementing regulations, 6 NYCRR Part 617 (the “Regulations”), having reviewed the impact of the Project upon the environment, intends hereby to determine that the Project constitutes a “Type II Action” under 6 NYCRR § 617.5(c)(25) of the Regulations and is not subject to review under SEQRA.

NOW THEREFOR, BE IT RESOLVED by this Board of Education as follows:

Section 1. The Project constitutes a “Type II Action” under 6 NYCRR § 617.5(c)(25) of the Regulations and is not subject to review under SEQRA. The regulatory bases for this determination are Section 617.5(c)( 1): “maintenance or repair involving no substantial changes in an existing structure or facility”; Section 617.5(c)(2): “replacement, rehabilitation or reconstruction of a structure or facility, in kind, on the same site ….” and 617.5(c)(8): “routine activities of educational institutions, including expansion of existing facilities by less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area….”

Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.

The motion having been duly moved, the resolution was acted upon by the Board of Education and there were 8 votes in favor of the resolution and 0 votes against the resolution.

The resolution was thereafter declared adopted.

Brian Bartlett, District Clerk
June 2, 2025

Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)

Approve 2025-2026 Transfer to Capital Project SEQRA Resolution

Mrs. James Murad moved, and Mrs. Cortese seconded the following 2025-2026 Transfer to Capital Project SEQRA Resolution:

JAMESVILLE-DEWITT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
SEQRA RESOLUTION

June 2, 2025

WHEREAS, the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District is considering undertaking a capital improvement project consisting of Roof Replacement at the High School, including, site improvements, original furnishings, fixtures, and equipment (the “Project”); and

NOW THEREFOR, BE IT RESOLVED by this Board of Education as follows:

Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.

The motion having been duly moved, the resolution was acted upon by the Board of Education and there were 8 votes in favor of the resolution and 0 votes against the resolution.

The resolution was thereafter declared adopted.

Brian Bartlett, District Clerk
June 2, 2025

Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)

Approve Bond Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of School Buses

Mrs. Cortese moved, and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to approve the following Bond Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of School Buses:

BOND RESOLUTION DATED JUNE 2, 2025

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF SCHOOL BUSES BY THE JAMESVILLE-DEWITT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK, AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $782,319 AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $782,319 SERIAL BONDS TO PAY FOR THE COSTS THEREOF.

WHEREAS, at the annual district meeting of the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District, Onondaga County, New York (the “School District”), duly called, held and conducted on May 20, 2025, the duly qualified voters of the School District approved a proposition authorizing the purchase of school buses at a total combined maximum estimated expenditure of $782,319; and authorizing the issuance of $782,319 of obligations of the School District and the levy of a tax to be collected in annual installments for such purposes; and

WHEREAS, all conditions precedent to the financing of the capital project described above, including compliance with the provisions of the State Environmental Quality Review Act, have been performed; and

WHEREAS, it is now desired to provide for the financing thereof;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District, Onondaga County, New York, as follows:

Section 1. The purchase of school buses at a total combined maximum estimated expenditure of $782,319 is hereby authorized.

Section 2. The plan for financing of such maximum estimated cost is the issuance of $782,319 serial bonds (the “Bonds”) of the School District, which are hereby authorized, pursuant to the provisions of the Local Finance Law.

Section 3. It is hereby determined that the period of probable usefulness of the school buses described in Section 1 above is five (5) years pursuant to subdivision 29 of paragraph a of Section 11.00 of the Local Finance Law.

Section 4. The temporary use of available funds of the School District, not immediately required for the purpose or purposes of which the same were borrowed, raised or otherwise created, is hereby authorized pursuant to Section 165.10 of the Local Finance Law, for the capital purposes described in Section 1 of this resolution.

Section 5. The Bonds, and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the Bonds, shall contain the recital of validity prescribed by Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law and the Bonds, and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the Bonds, shall be general obligations of the School District, payable as to both principal and interest by a general tax upon all the real property within the School District without legal or constitutional limitation as to rate or amount.

Section 6. The faith and credit of the School District are hereby irrevocably pledged to the punctual payment of the principal of and interest on the Bonds, and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the Bonds, and provision shall be made annually in the budget of the School District by appropriation for (a) the amortization and redemption of the Bonds and any bond anticipation notes to mature in such year, and (b) the payment of interest to be due and payable in such year.

Section 7. Subject to the provisions of this resolution and of the Local Finance Law, and pursuant to the provisions of Sections 21.00, 30.00, 50.00 and 56.00 to 63.00, inclusive, of the Local Finance Law, the power to authorize the issuance of and to sell bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance and sale of the Bonds herein authorized, including renewals of such notes, and the power to prescribe the terms, form and contents of the Bonds, and any bond anticipation notes, and the power to sell and deliver the Bonds and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the Bonds, and the power to issue Bonds providing for substantially level or declining annual debt service, is hereby delegated to the to the President of the Board of Education, the chief fiscal officer of the School District.

Section 8. The validity of the Bonds and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the Bonds may be contested only if:

1. such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for which the School District is not authorized to expend money, or
2. the provisions of law which should be complied with at the date of the publication of this resolution or a summary hereof are not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after such publication, or
3. such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.

Section 9. This resolution shall constitute a declaration of the School District’s “official intent” to reimburse expenditures of the aforesaid objects or purposes with proceeds of the Bonds or bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of issuance of the Bonds as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.150-2. Other than as specified in this resolution, no monies are, or are reasonably expected to be, reserved, allocated on a long-term basis, or otherwise set aside with respect to the permanent funding of the objects or purposes described herein.

Section 10. The serial bonds and bond anticipation notes authorized to be issued by this Resolution are hereby authorized to be consolidated, at the option of the President of the Board of Education, as the Chief Fiscal Officer, with the serial bonds and bond anticipation notes authorized by other Bond Resolutions previously or hereafter adopted by the Board of Education for purposes of sale in to one or more bond or note issues aggregating an amount not to exceed the amount authorized in such resolutions. All matters regarding the sale of the bonds, including the date of the bonds, the use of electronic bidding, the consolidation of the serial bonds and the bond anticipation notes with other issues of the School District and the serial maturities of the bonds are hereby delegated to the President of the Board of Education, as the Chief Fiscal Officer of the School District.

Section 11. The President of the Board of Education, as chief fiscal officer of the School District, is hereby authorized to enter into an undertaking for the benefit of the holders of the Bonds from time to time, and any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the sale of the Bonds, requiring the School District to provide secondary market disclosure as required by Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 15c2-12.

Section 12. In the absence of the President of the Board of Education, the Vice President of the Board of Education is hereby specifically authorized to exercise the powers delegated to the President of the Board of Education in this resolution.

Section 13. This resolution which takes effect immediately, or a summary thereof, shall be published in the official newspapers of the School District, together with a notice of the School District Clerk in substantially the form provided in Section 81.00 of the Local Finance Law.

Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)

Approve Determination of Substantial Equivalencies

Dr. Smith explained that School Districts are required to determine that private schools within their attendance area are providing a substantial equivalent education to those students in the public school. He said that there are seven different pathways a non-public school can choose from to make the determination, one of which is a local pathway, where the district conducts an evaluation. Dr. Smith stated that after visiting Montessori School of Syracuse, Montessori Discovery School, and the New School, he has determined that each school is providing an equivalent experience to their students, as those at Jamesville-DeWitt are receiving. Dr Smith said the determination will be sent to the State Education Department and will need to be done every five years.

He said that each of the schools was different and provided a unique learning experience. He said he was happy to meet with the administrators and pleased to recommend the Determination of Substantial Equivalency for each school.

Approve Determination of Substantial Equivalency, Montessori School of Syracuse

Mrs. DeForest moved and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to approve Determination of Substantial Equivalency for the Montessori School of Syracuse.

Motion carried. (8-0-0)

Approve Determination of Substantial Equivalency, Montessori Discovery School

Mrs. DeForest moved and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to approve Determination of Substantial Equivalency for the Montessori Discovery School.

Motion carried. (8-0-0)

Approve Determination of Substantial Equivalency, The New School

Mrs. DeForest moved and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to approve Determination of Substantial Equivalency for The New School.

Motion carried. (8-0-0)

Board Policies, Second Reading

Mrs. James Murad reviewed the following three board policies which were explained and reviewed at the May 12 board meeting:

· 1210 – Board Members: Nomination and Election

· 3311 – Notification of Disclosure of Employee Disciplinary Records

· 3510 – Emergency School Closings

Mrs. James Murad said there had been no comments or questions since the first reading.

Mr. Baxter moved, and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to approve board policies 1210, 3311 and 3510.

Motion carried. (8-0-0)

Potential Consideration for Future Meetings

There was none.

Assistant Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Franz

Mr. Franz presented the board with the 2025-2026 Professional Learning Plan. Mr. Franz introduced Mrs. Ashley Carducci to help him present. Mrs. Carducci is a member of the planning team and has been instrumental in the work to date.

Mr. Franz and Mrs. Carducci provided an overview of the professional development planning process including a project summary, highlights of the goals and objectives, and a review of New York State requirements and regulations.

Mr. Franz shared a timeline which includes board approval of the plan at the June 16 meeting and submission to NYSED after the approval.

(See Supplemental Minutes)

Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith

Dr. Smith provided the board with an enrollment update. He said, as reported before, Jamesville Elementary is down a section and Moses DeWitt remains the same. He noted that while Kindergarten at Tecumseh is down from last year, he believes it is more of a communication issue and is working on community announcements to ensure students are registered. He said there will be an update on Tecumseh numbers in July.

Dr. Smith shared that he received notice from the Chief of Staff at Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter’s office that the Southwood bill has moved through the Assembly and is now in the Ways and Means Committee. He said the next step is for a full floor vote. Dr. Smith said we are making progress.

Dr. Smith updated the board on weapons detections systems. He said they have spoken with five or six vendors and will present the information to the safety teams in a couple of weeks. He said the expectation is to bring a recommendation to the board at the July meeting and with board approval, this timeline the system can still be in place in early fall.

Lastly, Dr. Smith shared upcoming events including athletic championship games, end-of-the-year music concerts and the Eid al-Adha holiday on June 6. He thanked the Board of Education for continuing to support our students.

Board President’s Report

Dr. Archer provided a recap on the recent board of education public forum which focused on a cell phone ban in schools, feedback from participants, and survey data. Dr. Archer reported that 50% of respondents to the Thought Exchange survey said they were in support of a bell-to-bell ban. She said there were three main themes that came out of the survey: What will day-to-day enforcement of a ban look like; the anxiety surrounding how does a student get in touch with a parent or a parent with a student; and the logistics of what we do in place of using cellphones.

Dr. Archer shared some topics that were discussed at the breakout sessions: cultural responsiveness while making decisions on how we move forward; what a cellphone ban looks like at the elementary level and how we look at this as a board when moving forward with policy; what type of messaging are we going to use with families when providing a general understanding of why; how to ease anxiety in students and families; and discussion about how to support more pro-social behaviors.

Student Board Member Report: Mr. Mantalios

Mr. Mantalios was not in attendance; there was no report.

Community Comment Time, 2

Laurin Haddad commented on weapons detection systems and asked if there was any information shared about research or statistics on how this affects students emotionally.

Dr. Archer responded that the board does not answer questions or comments during the session but will respond via email.

Unfinished and Continuing Business

Mrs. DeForest asked about board member orientation for newly elected board member. Dr. Smith stated that Dr. Woodcock will onboard the new board member as well as the newly elected student board member. Dr. Smith will meet with the new student board member ahead of summer break to have some conversations around dates and basic information.

At 7:58 p.m., Mr. Babikian moved, and Mrs. Cortese seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.

Motion carried. (8-0-0)

Respectfully submitted,

Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board

BOARD APPROVED: June 16, 2025