Members Present
Dr. Archer (attended remotely)
Mrs. Austin
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mr. Leach
Ms. McKenney
Mrs. Souser
Mr. Zoghby
Ms. Aljerari
Administration Present
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. William Furlong, Interim Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Andrew Cottet, John Baxter, Cat DeForest, Karunmay Aggarwal, Amanda Aitken, Mark Bratslavsky, David Babikian, Matt Cook, Adelaide Anello, Zamora McBride and Connor Clarkson
Presentation, J-DHS Student Government
Mrs. DeForest introduced Mr. Cottet and the members of the Student Government in attendance. The students took turns sharing information on the Jamesville-DeWitt Constitution including the Preamble, Structure (including the roles of the Executive Board, Student Council and Class Officers), Elections, and the Amendment/Ratification process. Mr. Cottet, co-advisor of the group said the group has met four or five times for countless hours and that the culmination of the Constitution is entirely the work of the students. He said that watching this group come together and create this document was incredible.
Presentation, Dr. Matt Cook, OCM BOCES District Superintendent
Mrs. DeForest introduced Dr. Cook, District Superintendent of the OCM BOCES who shared with the Board and community a snapshot of BOCES services for Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District. He shared information on the component districts that make up OCM BOCES, the administrative budget, cooperative purchasing, and estimated BOCES aid to be received this year. He highlighted the Instructional Support Services and Career & Technical Education as it applies to Jamesville-DeWitt and also shared information on Special Education Programs and the Virtual Learning Academy. Dr. Cook explained the Business & Management Services areas that Jamesville-DeWitt participate in and how the Regional Information Center services the district for technology needs. Dr. Cook said that what BOCES is now offering is dramatically different than our parents’ BOCES and it is time to remove the stereotype. Mrs. DeForest thanked Dr. Cook for presenting to the Board.
Red Ram Recognition
Mrs. DeForest recognized and congratulated the following during the Red Ram Recognition:
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- David Babikian and John Baxter, new Board members in attendance at the meeting
- Jamesville-DeWitt community for being recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education
- High School Seniors who received the Seal of Biliteracy: Ayah Abdel-Aziz, Shahina Alibekova, Aiden Caparaso, Meghan Christian, John Clinton, William Cooper, Meghan Culligan, Hannah Fuchsberg, Michael Meskos, Daniel Skewes, Sarenur Turan and the Seniors who received the Seal of Triliteracy: Carissa Charles and Jessica Chopra
- J-D Transportation Department and Jenn Palmer, Director of Transportation and the team of mechanics, bus drivers and office staff who recently received a 100% passing rate on the NYS Department of Transportation Bus Inspection System during the last State Fiscal Year
- Special Olympic Athletes, staff, parents and students who cheered on the athletes
Mrs. DeForest recognized that May is National Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage month and encouraged all to take some time to learn about the rich history of different cultures.
Mrs. Souser recognized and congratulated the J-D Tennis Teams for their Section 3 wins where five players are going to state qualifiers. She also said for the first time in school history, both the girls and boys beat FM and won team sectionals.
Mr. Gross reported that he attended the J-DFA retirement celebration and congratulated all the retirees on a career well spent.
Mrs. Austin reported a successful Operation Graduation and said there were great prizes and everyone got home safe.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Student Board Member Report, Ms. Aljerari
Ms. Aljerari provided the Board with a report which highlighted the upcoming Senior Capstone Exhibition at the library and the Student Board Election taking place on J-D day. She said she was grateful for the experience of being a student board member. (See Supplemental Minutes)
Community Comment Time #1
There were no comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mr. Leach moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the motion to approve the following Consent Agenda:
1. Accept Internal Claims Auditor Reports
2. Accept the Recommendations of the CPSE and CSE
3. pprove Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments
4. Approve Tenure Recommendations
5. Approve Minutes of the May 16, 2023 Special Meeting
6. Authorize OCM BOCES to provide Equivalent Attendance, Employment Preparation and Adult Continuing Education Program
7. Approve Annual Cooperative Bidding Resolution Notification
Motion carried (9-0-0)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – May 22, 2023
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Gianna Arcuri, Special Education Teacher, four year probationary appointment, new position
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- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $54,864* (B1-18)
- Certification: Initial Students With Disabilities 1-6
- Effective: August 30, 2023
Name and position: Elizabeth Boghosian, Second Language Teacher, three year probationary appointment, replacing N. Piontkowski
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- Location: Middle School
- Prorated Salary: $66,407* (B6+M-39, CAS)
- Certification: Professional Spanish 5-6, 7-12
- Effective: August 30, 2023
Name and position: Madison Eagan, FACS Teacher, three year probationary appointment, new position
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- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $66,781* (B7+M-42)
- Certification: Initial Culinary Careers 7-12
- Effective: August 30, 2023
Name and position: Jillian Lalonde, Special Education Teacher, three year probationary appointment, new position
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- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $67,158* (B8+M-37)
- Certification: Professional Students With Disabilities 7-12
- Effective: August 30, 2023
Name and position: Kayla Sweeney, Physical Education Teacher, Regular Substitute, replacing C. Goldberg
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- Location: Moses DeWitt Elementary
- Salary: $56,734* (B1+29)
- Certification: Initial Physical Education
- Effective: August 30, 2023 – June 30, 2024
*To be finalized upon completion of the JDFA contract
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2023-2024
Name, assignment and stipend:
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- David Bunyan, Social Studies Department Chair, $6,084.00
- Mike Keenan, Science Department Chair, $6,473.00
- Diane Rushford, English Department Chair, $5,717.00
- Emily Rowles, Small Departments Chair, $5,180.00
- Xiomara Santos, World Languages Department Chair, $5,279.00
- Sue Techman, Math Department Chair, $6,824.00
- Sue Young, Special Education Department Chair, $5,180.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Mentoring – 2022-2023
Name, assignment and stipend:
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- Cindy Andreatta, Mentor to Charity Bianchi, $619.00
- Molly Anthony, Mentor to Amaru Pareja, $619.00
- Jessa Baum, Mentor to Megan Dennehy, $619.00
- Alexandra Bishop, Mentor to Elizabeth Scheftic, $619.00
- Keith Bryant, Mentor to Phillip Kinane, $619.00
- Kathryn Byrd, Mentor to Anna Cabral, $619.00
- Heather Cavalluzzi, Mentor to Dawn Becker, $619.00
- Erin Cooley, Mentor to Amanda Royce, $619.00
- Andrew Cottet, Mentor to Jon Mangram, $619.00
- Katelin Donegan, Mentor to Jessica Murray, $619.00
- Jill Duby, Mentor to Allison Fuess, $619.00
- Kristin Gallivan, Mentor to Samantha Guillaume, $619.00
- John Hunter, Mentor to Kat Ward, $619.00
- Rachel Kronenberg, Mentor to Megan Dermody, $619.00
- Kadie Leonard, Mentor to Nicholas Bentley, $619.00
- Kimberly Lewis, Mentor to Allison Barnes and Lindsey Alexander, $1,238.00
- Beth Mackenzie, Mentor to Courtney Lehman, $619.00
- Heather Meyer, Mentor to Samantha Siderakis, $619.00
- Kelly Miller, Mentor to Lauren Middleton, $309.50 (half year)
- Holly O’Brien, Mentor to Abigail Lannon, $619.00
- Kristen Panzetta, Mentor to Kathryn Kimble, $619.00
- Nicole Piontkowski, Mentor to Charlean Clawson, $619.00
- Moira Ristau, Mentor to Danielle Lazzaro, $619.00
- Linda Slade, Mentor to Caitlyn Johnson, $619.00
- Caroline Tuck, Mentor to Ryan Smith, $309.50 (half year)
- Kristine Wisniewski, Mentor to Danielle Manzone, $309.50 (half year)
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Naque Howard, Teaching Assistant, High School, May 19, 2023
- Jay Lang, Math Teacher, High School, June 30, 2023
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
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- Zoey Baker, Substitute Food Service Worker, Cafeteria, $14.20/hr., August 30, 2023
- Mitzi Longway, Substitute Custodian/Summer Worker, Custodial Department, $14.20/hr., June 26, 2023
- John Wheeler, Substitute Custodian/Summer Worker, Custodial Department, $14.20/hr., May 23, 2023
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- David Birdsell, Network Administrator, District, May 30, 2023
- Grant Caluza, Custodial Worker I, Custodial Department, May 9, 2023
- Derek Widger, Custodial Worker I, Custodial Department, May 19, 2023
Superintendent’s Tenure Recommendations – May 22, 2023
Name: Kara Azria
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- Tenure Area: Special Education
- Location: Middle School
- Effective Date: September 2, 2023
Name: Traci Bort
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- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Location: Moses DeWitt
- Effective: October 7, 2023
Name: Chiao Chan
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- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Location: Middle School
- Effective: December 17, 2023
Name: Anna Delaney
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- Tenure Area: Social Studies
- Location: High School
- Effective: September 3, 2023
Name: Kelli Maher
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- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Location: Moses DeWitt
- Effective: September 15, 2023
Name: Nujoud Makhlouf
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- Tenure Area: K-6 Classroom Teacher
- Location: Middle School
- Effective: September 2, 2023
Name: Elizabeth Marshall
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- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Location: Moses DeWitt
- Effective: September 2, 2023
Name: Erin Nowicki
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- Tenure Area: Special Education
- Location: Middle School
- Effective: September 2, 2023
Name: Jennifer Paul
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- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Location: Moses DeWitt
- Effective: September 2, 2023
Name: Nicole Piontkowski
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- Tenure Area: Second Language
- Location: Middle
- Effective: September 2, 2023
Name: Alexander Way
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- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Location: Middle School
- Effective: September 3, 2023
Approve Minutes of the May 8, 2023 Budget Hearing and the May 8, 2023 Regular Board Meeting
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the May 8, 2023 Budget Hearing and the May 8, 2023 Regular Board meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-1) Mrs. Souser abstained.
Accept the Results of the 2023-2024 Budget Vote and Board of Education Election
Mr. Leach moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the motion to accept the results of the 2023-2024 Budget Vote and Board of Education election as follows:
2023-2024 Budget Proposition
Votes cast in favor of the proposition: 537
Votes cast against the proposition: 258
Proposition #1 School Bus Replacement
Votes cast in favor of the proposition: 548
Votes cast against the proposition: 244
Proposition #2 Establishing a New Capital Reserve Fund
Votes cast in favor of the proposition: 571
Votes cast against the proposition: 225
Proposition #3 Library
Votes cast in favor of the proposition: 549
Votes cast against the proposition: 246
School Board Member Election
The three persons elected for three-year terms are:
George “Joe” Gross
John Baxter
David Babikian
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Approve Funds to Implement a Three-Year Contract with the Jamesville-DeWitt Clerical/Aide Contract
Mrs. Souser moved and Mr. Gross seconded the motion to approve funds to implement a three-year contract with the Jamesville-DeWitt Clerical/Aide Unit.
Mr. Leach asked to abstain from voting due to conflict with a family member.
Motion carried. (8-0-1) Mr. Leach abstained.
Board Policies: Second Reading
The following policies were brought to the Board for a second reading:
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- 7150: Remote Instruction
- 3290: Operation of Motor Driven Vehicles on District Property
- 4310: Superintendent of Schools
Mrs. James Murad stated there were no changes from the first reading.
Mrs. Souser moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the motion to approve Board Policies 7150, 3290 and 4310.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Adopt 2023-2024 Board of Education Calendar
Mrs. James Murad moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the motion to adopt the 2023-2024 Board of Education Calendar.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Ms. McKenney suggested the following topics for future consideration: cyber preparedness, can we fail even if BOCES does their job; transportation: capacity, usage and outlook for electric busses.
Ms. Aljerari suggested a discussion of better communication and gave an example of a situation she was made aware of in relation to the PPS Department. Mrs. DeForest encouraged families to communicate directly with the department, specifically in this case with Mrs. Menapace.
Board President’s Report, Mrs. DeForest
Mrs. DeForest thanked the community for supporting our budget and Board of Education election. She said the budget and each proposition passed and reviewed the results.
Mrs. DeForest provided follow-up from the board retreat and said that the plan was to spend half the time with students reviewing dialogue and student engagement and the second half on the book study. She said they spent the whole retreat with the students and received important feedback from the students including diversity in staff being very important, the EID holidays and the ability to provide time for our students to celebrate their culture. She said they had an opportunity to share with the students how the District is responding to the need for diversity in staff including the Baldanza fellowship. She said the students would like to see the dialogue circles handed down so that the High School students could facilitate circles with the Middle School students and the Middle School students could facilitate to the elementary students.
Ms. McKenney commented on the mental health aspect that the students spoke about and the continuing challenge. She said we need to check in and listen to them, as we might not have the answers but their ideas can inspire us.
Mrs. DeForest recognized Elbethel Berhane and Shahina Alibekova who represented the JEDI Counsel and Emake Okereke and Rashelle Torres-Mendoza who represented the dialogue circle.
Mr. Gross stated that some students are interested in going into the teaching field and that we should be lifting them up and supporting this.
Mrs. DeForest shared upcoming events.
Community Comment Time #2
There were none.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There was no unfinished and continuing business.
At 8:06 p.m., Mrs. Austin moved and Mrs. Souser seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (9-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
William Furlong
Interim Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 6-12-23