Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. Cortese
Mrs. DeForest
Mrs. James Murad
Mrs. Scott
Mr. Ghanim (Student Board Member)
Members Absent
Dr. Lei
Mr. Zoghby
Administration Present
Dr. Woodcock, Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Maria Collins, Katie Centolella, Andrew Nolan, Dominic D’Imperio, Tom Greenwood, Diane Kelly, and Mike Fitzpatrick.
Dr. Archer called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:42 p.m. in the Large Group Room of the High School and via YouTube Livestream.
At 7:43 p.m., Mrs. Scott moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to adjourn to Executive session.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
At 8:02 Mrs. Scott moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to adjourn Executive session.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
At 8:03, Dr. Archer called the regular meeting back to order.
Red Ram Recognition
Dr. Archer recognized the moms in the district on the day after Mother’s Day. She thanked them for all they do for their children to get them to school every day. Dr. Archer also recognized the Moses DeWitt community who won the Syracuse University competition for Teacher Appreciation Week.
Mr. Franz shared an update from the Middle School Art Team: Ms. Pudney, Ms. Sabine and Ms. Ebner. The teachers said that the following Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School art students were chosen to have their work displayed at the Salt City Select Art Show at the Everson Museum from May 16-24:
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- Arshiya Ghimire
- Eleanor Mitchell
- Nicole Zheng
- Aiden Colon
- Alex Drogo
- Luke Moser
- Asser Yousef
- Tanisha Thakar
Mr. Ghanim shared that Enes Damkaci, a junior at the High School was the only student at Jamesville-DeWitt to qualify Internationally through DECA and received a top ten for Business Finance.
Mr. Ghanim recognized MUN advisors Mr. Brodsky and Mr. McIntyre, who helped the club put on a conference and raise over $800.00 for a pro bono law firm to represent those in need.
Dr. Woodcock recognized High School principal, Dr. Lawson, for being awarded the SAANYS Region 10 Secondary Administrator of the Year. She said that Mr. Lawson will be recognized at a reception on May 21 and that both herself and Dr. Archer will be attending.
Community Comment Time #1
The following people submitted requests to speak at Community Comment Time but were not in attendance: Bryce Wheeler, Jackson Saroney, Reagen Gratien, Jack Hazelton and Luke. Dr. Archer encouraged these people to email the Board of Education with any comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mrs. Cortese moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to approve the following Consent Agenda.
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- Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments
- Tenure Recommendations
- CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Approve Inspectors of Election (See Supplemental Minutes)
- Minutes of the April 20, 2026 Board Meeting
- Inspectors of Election
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Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – May 11, 2026
INSTRUCTIONAL
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School Intramurals Session 4
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Madison Eagan, Intramural Coach, $95.16
- Ashlyn McGrath, Intramural Coach, $118.95
- Wendy Newman, Intramural Coach, $261.69
- Kristen Panzetta, Intramural Coach, $71.37
- Mary Pidkaminy, Intramural Coach, $23.79
- Kathryn Woodrick, Intramural Coach, $118.95
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Mentoring – 2025-2026 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Megan Ames, Mentor to Marissa Coir, $697
- Heather Ayling, Mentor to Katie Whelan, (.5) $349.00
- Christine Baker, Mentor to Rebecca Gould, $697.00
- John Barlow, Mentor to Colin Mashkuri, $697.00
- Nicholas Bentley, Mentor to Emily Townsend, $697.00
- Kathalyn Brazie, Mentor to Sheila O’Malley, $697.00
- Robin Carruthers, Mentor to Kristina Valentino, $697.00
- Beth Croll-Mackenzie, Mentor to Toni Demoff, $697.00
- Dana Dietz, Mentor to Rachel Powers, $697.00
- Laura Dietz, Mentor to Lina Choi, $697.00
- Kalli Essig, Mentor to Katie Whelan (.5), $349.00
- Dan Felser, Mentor to Nicholas Vecchio, $697.00
- John Hunter, Mentor to Riley LaCava, $697.00
- Jeff Loan, Mentor to Mary Pidkaminy, $697.00
- Hannah Lucas, Mentor to Lauren Redmond, $697.00
- Parker Noble, Mentor to Veronica Budelmann, $697.00
- Theresa Razmjou, Mentor to Aidan Blaylock, $607.00
- Stephanie Sindoni, Mentor to Christina Taylor, $697.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2026-2027 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- David Bunyan, Social Studies Department Chair, $6,811.00
- Mike Melfi, Special Education Department Chair, $5,685.00
- Nancy Raicht, Science Department Chair, $5,476.00
- Emily Rowles, Small Departments Chair, $5,799.00
- Diane Rushford, English Department Chair, $6,399.00
- Xiomara Santos, World Languages Department Chair, $5,910.00
- Sue Techman, Mathematics Department Chair, $7,639.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Jamesville Elementary – 2026-2027 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Stephanie Sindoni, Student Supervisor, $3,815.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Moses DeWitt Elementary School 2026-2027 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Brett Bartholomew, Student Supervisor, $3,815.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Tecumseh Elementary – 2026-2027 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Susan Ransier, Student Supervisor, $3,314.00
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Megan Murray, Special Education Teacher, Jamesville Elementary School, June 30, 2026
- Rachel Powers, K-6 Elementary Teacher, Tecumseh Elementary School, June 26, 2026
Termination
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Philip Kinane, Technology Teacher, Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School, June 30, 2026
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Zoey Baker, Substitute Custodian/Summer Worker, Custodial Departmet, $16.00/hr., June 29, 2026
- Emma Carlton, Substitute Custodian/Summer Worker, Custodial Department, $16.00/hr., June 29, 2026
- Patricia Carter, Substitute Custodian/Summer Worker, Custodial Department, $16.00/hr., June 29, 2026
- Brenda Dean, Substitute Food Service Helper, Cafeteria, $16.00/hr., May 12, 2026
- Sheila Doss, Substitute Custodian/Summer Worker, Custodial Department, $16.00/hr., June 29, 2026
- Annie Doyle, Substitute Custodian/Summer Worker, Custodial Department, $16.00/hr., June 29, 2026
- Steven Dunn, Seasonal Grounds Worker, Maintenance Department, $17.25/hr., May 12, 2026
- Charles Lawson, Substitute Custodial Worker, Custodial Department, $16.00/hr., May 12, 2026
- Tracey Lewis, Substitute Custodian/Summer Worker, Custodial Department, $16.00/hr., June 29, 2026
- David Marr, Seasonal Grounds Worker, Maintenance Department, $17.25/hr., May 12, 2026
- Christine Naples, part-time Food Service Helper, Cafeteria, $17.70/hr., May 12, 2026
- Pamela Shoemaker, Substitute Custodian/Summer Worker, Custodial Department, $16.00/hr., June 29, 2026
- Paul Shoemaker, Substitute Custodian/Summer Worker, Custodial Department, $16.00/hr., June 29, 2026
- Donald Wilber, Seasonal Grounds Worker, Maintenance Department, $17.25/hr., May 12, 2026
Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Nadine Dye, Teacher Aide, Jamesville-DeWitt High School, June 27, 2026
Superintendent’s Tenure Recommendations – May 11, 2026
Name: Greg Lawson
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- Tenure Area: Secondary Principal
- Location: Jamesville-DeWitt High School
- Effective Date: July 6, 2026
Name: Krista Martin
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- Tenure Area: Assistant Director of PPS
- Location: PPS
- Effective Date: July 13, 2026
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
The following items have been added for future meeting discussion:
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- School start times
- Progress on building equity teams and the Equity Council
- Transportation and meals at off-site locations
- Food service at all buildings and how we see participation since we are part of the CEP
- Hiring, certification and evaluation of athletic coaches
- Portrait of a Graduate at Jamesville-DeWitt
Athletics Presentation, Mr. Wheeler
Mr. Wheeler shared a slide show presentation with the Board on the status of JD Athletics for 2025-2026 which included the following:
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- Recognition: 2024-2025 All-CNY Overall Athletic Program of the Year
- Breakdown of teams by seasons, including addition of Girls Wrestling and Girls Flag Football
- Breakdown of student athlete participation and multiple sports enrollment
- Recognition of Ryan Dera, Central North Zone NYS AHPERD Coach of the Year Award
- Updates on coaching staff including Narcan training for all coaches, Athletic Handbook revisions, uniform replacement schedule, livestream camera additions, and Narcan training for all coaches
- Girls Golf Team usage of the simulator at Butternut on rain days
- Conference change from SCAC Conference to OHSL Conference
- Lemonade Stand Charity Games
- National Signing Day for High School Seniors
- Recognition of Championship Teams and Athletes including Boys’ Volleyball, State Champions and Owen Doughtery Player of the Year, Boy’s Golf, Sectional Champions and Braden Johnson Player of the Year, Boys Indoor Track, who won 6th in the NYS Relay, Girls Swim Team, Section 3 Champions, Boys’ Soccer, SCAC League Champions.
- Girls Cheerleading Team who raised over $10,000 to purchase new mats. The school is the only one in Section 3 with new mats, which allows J-D to host events
- 2025 Homecoming Varsity Football and PTG Bonfire
- Review of the Summer Camps for athletes
(See Supplemental Minutes for Presentation)
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Woodcock
Dr. Woodcock stated that she would like to wait until after the Board of Education election to discuss the 2026-2027 Board of Education meetings calendar. She said we will bring this item to the next meeting to include new members.
Dr. Woodcock discussed the 2025-2026 District Calendar and proposed changes to bring to the June 1 meeting for approval. Based on a little room and the possibility of possible heat days, Dr. Woodcock proposed the following schedule for the last week of school: Monday and Tuesday, full days; Wednesday and Thursdays, half-days for students, and a staff only day on Friday. She said this would give the district the opportunity to bring together the retirees on the last day for a sendoff. Dr. Woodcock explained that we currently have one snow day remaining and the basis for incorporating this day into the last week of school.
Mrs. Cortese asked if messaging would go out to parents as soon as possible after the changes are approved. Dr. Woodcock said it will be communicated immediately after approval.
Dr. Woodcock shared upcoming events including Senior Ball, the Budget Vote, which is Tuesday, May 19 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., unified basketball game, spring concerts, athletic events and Memorial Day, and Eid-al-Adha which are days off for students and staff.
Board President’s Report, Dr. Archer
Dr. Archer discussed May 28 as the tentative date for the Board of Education Retreat. Mrs. Scott indicated that she would not be able to attend due to a previous commitment. Mrs. DeForest said that on that night Jazz in the Plaza as well as the Middle School Awards Night will also be taking place. Dr. Woodcock indicated she will be reaching out to the staff members to ensure they will be available to speak on equity updates.
Dr. Archer indicated that the Board would again be collecting for the annual Board of Education Scholarship for High School Seniors. Mrs. DeForest volunteered to collect on behalf of the Board. Dr. Archer reminded all Board members to let Tish know if they will be attending graduation as well as the CNYSBA dinner.
Student Board Member Report: Mr. Ghanim
Mr. Ghanim reported vaping has become a problem in the High School bathrooms. He said Dr. Lawson has been wonderful but can’t be everywhere. His concern is that the bathrooms are being locked and this makes it difficult with the new Smart Pass. He said it is hard to find an open bathroom and be back within the five-minute time frame. He said he doesn’t know what the answer is but believes the problem will only get worse.
Mr. Ghanim is suggesting the Board of Education extend a seat on the board to two student representatives. He said that while his tenure on the board has been an honor and a pleasure, he needs help. He said that other schools have both seniors and junior board members. He said in offering a second seat to an underclassman, this would give the student members more of an opportunity to make changes.
Community Comment Time #2
There were community comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There were no unfinished and continuing business.
At 8:39 p.m., Mr. Babikian moved, and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (7-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Hauser
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: June 1, 2026