Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mrs. Scott
Mr. Mantalios (Student Board Member)
Members Absent
Mr. Babikian
Mrs. Cortese
Mr. Zoghby
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Randy Arnold, Katie Centonella, Bob Burdick, Jing Lei, Dylan Black, Sam Macie, Vinnie Sobey, Laurin Haddad, Olivia Ogata, Isabella Menendez, Sonia Kragh, and Michael Fitzpatrick
Mr. Gross called the regular meeting back to order at 7:53 p.m. in the Large Group Room of the High School and via Zoom.
Athletics Presentation, Mr. Wheeler
Mr. Wheeler shared a slide show presentation with the Board on the status of JD Athletics for 2024-2025 which included the following:
-
- Participation numbers broken down by teams, athletes, and games,
- Athletic Department Systems that have been improved this year including communication with players and parents through Parent Square, Arbiter Pay for officials, and a partnership with Syracuse Crunch to provide a mental health workshop,
- New uniform replacement schedule information,
- Unified Sports,
- Opportunity for JD to appear on Friday Morning Lights on NewsChannel 9,
- Work to update and revise the Athletic Handbook,
- New Lights for the turf field through the capital improvement project with colors from the Booster Club,
- Information on the new offering of flag football for girls,
- Sectional and championship teams and athletes,
- National Signing Day for High School Seniors,
- Charity events,
- Summer 2025 coach’s camps through Town of DeWitt and J-D, and
- Booster Club information.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Red Ram Recognition
Mr. Gross recognized the following:
-
- J-D School Nurses during School Nurse Appreciation Week: Heather Cavalluzzi, Melissa McCarthy, Carla Ray, Nancy Trendowski, Dorrie Darcy, Kim Kalil and Stacey Piscitell
- All J-D teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, which was the first week of May. He thanked the teachers for their dedication to our students.
- The following students who signed their Letters of Intent on May 6: Matt Campbell, Wagner College for Track and Field; Khais Milligan, Pace University for Soccer; Kevin Vigneault, University of Massachusetts for Track and Field and Bryce Wheeler, Colgate University for Football
Mr. Gross shared dates and times of Senior Nights for Spring Sports.
Community Comment Time #1
There were no comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mr. Gross asked for a vote to approve the Consent Agenda.
Consent Agenda Items:
-
- Approve Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments (See Supplemental Minutes)
- Internal Claims Auditor Reports (See Supplemental Minutes)
- CPSE and CSE Recommendations
- Approve Inspectors of Election (See Supplemental Minutes)
- Approve Minutes of April 21, 2025, Meeting
- Approve Minutes of the April 28, 2025, Meeting
The Minutes of the April 28, 2025, meeting was removed from the Consent Agenda to be voted on separately.
The Consent Agenda was approved. (6-0-0)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – May 12, 2025
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Riley LaCava, K-6 Elementary, four-year probationary appointment, replacing A. Jabaji
-
- Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
- Salary: $66,908.00 (B4-M+46)
- Certification: Initial Childhood Education 1-6
- Effective: August 27, 2025
Name and position: Sheila O’Malley, ESL Teacher, three-year probationary appointment, new position.
-
- Location: Middle School and High School
- Salary: $69,998.00 (B9-M+30)
- Certification: Professional English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Effective: August 27, 2025
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Mentoring – 2024-2025 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
-
- Molly Anthony, Mentor to Ariel Tranchell, $670
- Kara Azria, Mentor to Alex Way, $352.00 (prorated)
- Christine Baker, Mentor to Kate Berry, $670.00
- Brett Bartholomew, Mentor to Jacob Graves, $670.00
- Denise Becher, Mentor to Joseph Colligan, $670.00
- Denise Becher, Mentor to Serena Wadsworth, $335.00 (prorated)
- Elyssa Becker, Mentor to Heather Ayling, $670.00
- Nicholas Bentley, Mentor to Dan Rechtorovic, $670.00
- Claudia Cavotta, Mentor to Maria Todeschini, $130.00 (prorated)
- Charlean Clawson, Mentor to Alexandra Hnatiw, 670.00
- Megan Dennehy, Mentor to Rachel Smith, $670.00
- Kalli Essig, Mentor to Jessie Moore, $670.00
- Julie Frechette, Mentor to Katie Varga, $670.00
- Elise Jutzeler, Mentor to John Lembeck, $670.00
- Laramie Kennedy, Mentor to D. Tolles, (.5) $335.00 (prorated)
- Megan Keukelaar, Mentor to Toni Demoff, $412.00 (prorated)
- Diane Pelton, Mentor to D. Tolles, (.5) $335.00 (prorated)
- Lua Rafalak-Lawrence, Mentor to Nicole Zablotny, $670.00
- Amanda Royce, Mentor to Megan Murray, $670.00
- Larry Stroh, Mentor to Robert Sweeney, $670.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2024-2025 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
-
- Melissa Moore, Cafeteria Supervision, $1,912.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Intramurals – Middle School – 2024-2025 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
-
- Ghada Abu-Ramada, Session 4 Intramural Coach, $160.16
- Jessica Duerr, Session 4 Intramural Coach, $274.56
- Andy Starowicz, Session 4 Intramural Coach, $137.28
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Ariella Goldberg, Typist II, 52-week probationary appointment, Tecumseh Elementary School, $18.25/hr., May 13, 2025, replacing S. Kaufman
- Matthew Osinski*, Assistant Director of Facilities, 52-week provisional appointment, Maintenance Department, $69,000.00 (prorated for the 24-25 school year), effective May 19, 2025, new position
Change in Status Appointment
Name, change/assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Ava Smith, Teacher aide, P/T to F/T, Moses DeWitt, April 29, 2025, replacing J. Sampsell
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Ariella Goldberg, Teacher Aide, Tecumseh Elementary School, May 12, 2025
- Samantha Kaufman, Typist II, Tecumseh Elementary School, April 30, 2025
- Suzy Procopio, Deputy Treasurer, District Office, effective April 21, 2025
- Marissa Yackel, Food Service Helper I, Cafeteria, May 5, 2025
- Ann Young, Procurement Specialist, District Office, effective September 26, 2025
* Pending fingerprint clearance
Approve Minutes of April 28, 2025, Board Meeting
Dr. Archer moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the April 28, 2025, Board Meeting.
Motion carried. (6-0-0)
Approve Tenure Recommendations
Mr. Gross congratulated the faculty who received tenure. Mr. Baxter moved, and Dr. Archer seconded the motion to approve the following Tenure Recommendations:
Superintendent’s Tenure Recommendations – May 12, 2025
Name: Lindsey Alexander
-
- Tenure Area: K-6 Elementary
- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary School
- Effective Date: August 30, 2025
Name: Harry Baran
-
- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Location: Middle School
- Effective Date: November 1, 2025
Name: Elyssa Becker
-
- Tenure Area: Physical Education
- Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
- Effective Date: August 30, 2025
Name: Gretchen Bliss
-
- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Location: Jamesville Elementary School
- Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Name: Anna Cabral Drew
-
- Tenure Area: Math 7-12
- Location: High School
- Effective Date: August 30, 2025
Name: Ashley Carducci
-
- Tenure Area: Elementary Principal
- Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
- Effective Date: August 8, 2025
Name: Kate Chau
-
- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
- Effective Date: January 23, 2026
Name: Charlean Clawson
-
- Tenure Area: 7-12 Second Language
- Location: Middle School
- Effective Date: August 30, 2025
Name: Elizabeth DeLaRoca
-
- Tenure Area: K-6 Elementary
- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary School
- Effective Date: September 25, 2025
Name: Megan Dennehy
-
- Tenure Area: K-6 Elementary
- Location: Jamesville Elementary School
- Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Name: Megan Dermody
-
- Tenure Area: K-6 Elementary
- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary School
- Effective Date: January 2, 2026
Name: Mary Ewing
-
- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Location: Jamesville Elementary School
- Effective Date: August 30, 2025
Name: Abigail Lannon
-
- Tenure Area: K-6 Elementary School
- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary School
- Effective Date: August 30, 2025
Name: Danielle Lazzaro
-
- Tenure Area: K-6 Elementary
- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary
- Effective Date: September 5, 2025
Motion carried. (6-0-0)
2025-2026 Board of Education Meetings Calendar
Dr. Smith presented a draft of the Board Meetings Calendar, which will be voted on at the June 2 meeting. The calendar being presented does not include the forums or retreats. Mrs. DeForest asked about the number of meetings, 18, which is different from the number of meetings as identified in the board handbook.
Board Policies, First Reading
The following policies were brought to the Board for a first reading.
-
- 1210 – Board Members: Nomination and Election
- 3311 – Notification of Disclosure of Employee Disciplinary Records
- 3510 – Emergency School Closings
Mrs. James Murad reported that policies 1210 and 3311 were minor changes reflected in the statutes and that policy 3510 added a sentence: in rare and extenuating circumstances, athletic events and student activities may be held when school is closed if authorized by the Superintendent or their designee.
These policies will come back to the Board on June 2 for a second reading and adoption.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
There were none.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith began his report with a request that the board approve a change to the 2024-25 District Calendar. This change would end school on June 26 rather than on June 27. Dr. Smith explained that the state inexplicably added a second rating day to the June 2025 Regents calendar, which will not be necessary for our teachers. This change will come back to the board at the next meeting for approval, which will give families three weeks to make childcare preparations.
Dr. Smith provided an update on the proposed cell tower to be built on the high school campus. He said Verizon presented a proposal to the Town of DeWitt Planning Board on May 8. The presentation was followed by community comment, which included conflicting opinions presented by the public. He said that at the end of the meeting, the Town Planning Board asked Verizon to do three things: explore moving the tower further north; review and add architectural enhancements to make the tower more attractive, and to provide a study on the impact of cell tower construction on home values in the area. Dr. Smith said the next step is for Verizon to present their plan at the Zoning Board Appeals before it goes back for approval.
Dr. Smith reported that the Southwood legislation has been numbered in both houses and all signs show this legislation is moving forward.
Lastly, Dr. Smith shared upcoming events including Budget Vote and Board of Education Election on May 20, Memorial Day on May 26, Public Forum on May 28 and Jazz in the Plaza on May 29.
Committee Reports
Mr. Bartlett shared a facilities Committee update and said most of the committee meeting was spent with the architects, Ashley McGraw, as well LeChase Construction Services who gave a presentation on the upcoming capital project. They talked about the timeline, design, and logistics. Mrs. DeForest said there was a special committee for the pre-k playgrounds, and we appreciate the great thought and research put into design and input.
Mrs. James Murad reported that the Policy Committee is on a three-year review cycle and has finished reviewing the entire policy manual for the first time. She said the committee reads each section to make sure that practice of the district matches what the policies say.
Board President’s Report, Mr. Gross
Mr. Gross reminded the Board that the CNYSBA Dinner is Thursday May 29 and that if any member is interested in attending please let Tish know so she can register them.
Mr. Gross shared that on May 28; the Board will hold a public forum designed around distraction free schools. He said the Thought Exchange will be launching tomorrow with hopes to bring information from the public to the forum. Lastly, Mr. Gross stated that High School Graduation will take place on June 22 at the Civic Center. He said that Board members assist in handing out diplomas to graduating seniors and Tish that will send an email with more details.
Student Board Member Report: Mr. Mantalios
Mr. Mantalios reported that J-D Day is on Friday, May 23 and at that time, elections for student government take place. He said he will be introducing his successor to the Board soon.
Community Comment Time #2
There were none.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Mrs. DeForest thanked the Board for their donations to the Scholarship Committee. She said they were able to provide a nice donation towards a community services scholarship and a leadership scholarship.
At 8:43 p.m., Mr. Baxter moved, and Mrs. Scott seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (6-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: June 2, 2025