Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. DeForest
Mrs. James Murad
Dr. Lei
Mrs. Scott
Mr. Ghanim (Student board member)
Mr. Zoghby
Members Absent
Mrs. Cortese
Administration Present
Dr. Woodcock, Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Others in attendance: William Skinner, Carl Richardson, Nicholas Gormel, Dabriel Cruz, Donald Money, Bria Karse, and Michael Fitzpatrick.
Dr. Archer called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Library at Tecumseh Elementary School and via YouTube Livestream Link.
At 6:01 p.m. Mr. Baxter moved and Mr. Babikian seconded the motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss the employment history of particular persons.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
At 6:38 p.m., Mrs. Scott moved and Dr. Lei seconded the motion to adjourn Executive Session.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
At 7:00 p.m., Dr. Archer called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order.
Presentation, Tecumseh Elementary, Mrs. Carducci, Principal
Mrs. Carducci shared a presentation with the Board of Education with information on the first ten weeks of school at Tecumseh Elementary. She shared information on the positive building culture, including Character Education, Buddy Classrooms, Connections, and current happenings at Tecumseh. Mrs. Carducci also shared a video of a peek at the first marking period.
(See Supplemental Minutes for Presentation)
Red Ram Recognition
Dr. Archer recognized a collaboration of young readers at Tecumseh Elementary School which took place this past week. She said it was a coordinated effort between students and staff at the High School and Tecumseh to support the love of reading.
Mr. Ghanim recognized the Model UN Team which recently competed at MPH. He shared the accomplishments of the following students:
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- Emily Qiao: Best New Delegate
- Daisy Shao: William Verbeck Award for Strategic Thinking
- Joye Lai: Policy in Committee Award
- Simran Sanders: Andrea Daniel Award for Diplomacy
- Alex Polomsky: Jeffrey Mangram Award for Public Speaking
- Sabah Ghanim: Andrew Daniel Award for Diplomacy
- Jonas Sarmast: Best New Delegate
He also recognized and thanked Mr. McIntyre and Mr. Brodsky for teaching this generation of delegates.
Mr. Zoghby recognized the Boys Volleyball team and the entire JD community for their work and contributions towards the High School’s Red Out. He said that over $5,000.00 was raised for the Live Like Liam Foundation and thanked all involved, including administration.
Community Comment Time #1
There were no comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mrs. James Murad moved, and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
1. Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute
Appointments
2. CPSE and CSE Recommendations
3. Internal Claims Auditor Reports
4. Overnight Field Trip Request
5. 2024-2025 Internal Audit
6. Tax Collector’s Report
Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – November 17, 2025
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Dana Kitts, Occupational Therapist, (.5 FTE), new position
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- Location: Non-public schools
- Salary: $ $23,840.88 (B4-M+58) (prorated)
- License: Occupational Therapist
- Effective: November 24, 2025
Name and position: Mariah Lamas, Teaching Assistant, four-year probationary appointment, replacing M. Cummings
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- Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
- Salary: $21,745.00 (prorated)
- License: Teaching Assistant Level 1
- Effective: November 18, 2025
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School Intramurals Session 1
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Ghada Abu-Ramada, Intramural Coach, $23.79
- Jessica Duerr, Intramural Coach, $166.53
- Mary Pidkaminy, Intramural Coach, $47.58
- Andy Starowicz, Intramural Coach, $71.37
- Kathryn Woodrick, Intramural Coach, $95.16
*Pending completion of the certification process
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Winter Coaching – 2025-2026
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- Arsen Bagiryn, Modified Wrestling Coach, Volunteer, $0
- Dominic Biddlecome, Girls Varsity Indoor Track Assistant Coach, $3,774.00
- Dajuan Coleman, Boys JV Basketball Head Coach, $5,345.00
- Morgan Maloney, Girls JV Basketball Head Coach, $4,944.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2025-2026
Name, assignment, and stipend:
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- John Conklin, HS Musical Set Painting, $2,156.00, effective November 7, 2025
Resignation – Extended Teaching – High School – 2025-2026
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Jacob Brodsky, HS Musical Set Painting, November 7, 2025
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Henry Cline, LOTE Teacher, Jamesville-DeWitt High School, July 1, 2026
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Zoey Baker, Substitute Bus Attendant, Transportation, $16.00/hr., November 18, 2025
- Asraa Hamdy, Food Service Helper 1, part-time, Cafeteria, $17.70/hr., November 18, 2025, replacing A. Casimiro
- Susan Kellogg, Cook Manager, Cafeteria, 52-week probationary appointment, $22.54/hr., November 18, 2025, replacing L. Fowler
- Vasa Mihajlovska, Food Service Helper 1, part-time, Cafeteria, $17.70/hr., November 18, 2025, replacing N. MacCombie-Casimiro
- Min Slaski, Food Service Helper 1, part-time, Cafeteria, $17.70/hr., November 18, 2025, replacing A. Johnson
- Michael Taylor, Food Service Helper 1, part-time, Cafeteria, $17.70/hr., November 18, 2025, replacing T. Lewis
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Rita Vedsted, District Cook Manager, Districtwide, November 27, 2025
Resignation
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Hongling He, District Treasurer, District Office, November 10, 2025
- Julie Lesinski, Typist II, High School, November 6, 2025
- Marjorie Maier, Teacher Aide, Jamesville Elementary School, November 25, 2025
- Suzy Procopio, Teacher Aide, Jamesville-DeWitt High School, November 18, 2025
Termination
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
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- Andrea Johnson, Food Service Helper 1, Cafeteria, November 6, 2025
Minutes of October 27, 2025 Board Meeting
Mr. Baxter moved and Mr. Babikian seconded the approval of the Minutes of the Board of Education meeting of October 27, 2025.
Motion carried. (7-0-1) Mr. Zoghby abstained.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Dr. Lei would like to discuss the topic of school start times. Dr. Woodcock shared that she attended a recent meeting where 23 superintendents agreed to begin a conversation about this topic.
Dr. Archer would like to revisit the Equity Council and put it on the agenda.
Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Woodcock
Dr. Woodcock began her report with a reminder that this Wednesday is the vote for the OCM BOCES Capital Project and encouraged all to get out and vote.
Dr. Woodcock said that Equity Teams have begun in each of the buildings and that Mr. Franz brought in a facilitator to meet with approximately 25 to 30 people. She said the teams came together to be trained on how to look for disproportionality and inequities, and the next steps. She said the facilitators for each building will meet several times during the year then go back and work with the equity teams at their buildings.
Dr. Woodcock said she would like to propose an upcoming Community Forum with the Board of Education.
Dr. Woodcock shared some of the learning that took place during Superintendent’s Day on November 4. She said that Art and Music Teachers attended a full day conference, and Library Media Specialists had a full day conference titled “From Conference to Classroom”. She said all Teaching Assistants and Aides were trained in “Stronger Together” and AIS teachers and teaching assistants learned “The Bridges Intervention”. Dr. Woodcock also reported that teams from each building were sent to threat assessment training in conjunction with Onondaga County Threat Assessment Team.
Dr. Woodcock provided a High School Food Service update. She said that at the last meeting, October 27, Mr. Ghanim shared a report on the status of the cafeteria and that on October 29, the second hotline was open. She said she was in the cafeteria many times ensuring students were getting their food faster and on November 10, the Snack Shack was opened. Dr. Woodcock gave an update on the cafeteria staffing and said things will begin working much better. Mr. Ghanim confirmed that things have been much better.
Dr. Woodcock shared upcoming events including Boys Volleyball States Competition, 4th grade musical, committee meetings and High School Band and Orchestra Concert.
Dr. Woodcock recognized and congratulated the three fall sports teams which won sectional titles: Golf, Girls Swimming and Diving, and Boys Volleyball. She also recognized 8th grader, Braden Thompson who won Golf Sectional Individual Champion, Swimming Individual Sectional Winners (all first place): Kayla McQuaid, one meter diving; Maria Fisher, 100 meter fly, Leah Abrams 200 and 500 meter freestyle, Thearyn Wales, 200 I.M. and 100 meter backstroke, Evelyn Jones 500 and 100 freestyle, 200 meter relay (Nora Barnello, Cora Bright, Leah Abrams and Evelyn Jones), and 400 meter relay (Cora Bright, Leah Abrams, Evelyn Jones and Thearyn Wales).
Dr. Woodcock congratulated all fall athletes and acknowledged winter sports started today.
Committee Reports
There were no committee reports.
Student Board Member Report
Mr. Ghanim reported that Food Service has been great and that students have not been waiting long in line. He recognized the Food Service staff at the High School as well as other schools. Mr. Ghanim reported that students have expressed their opinions regarding the changes to the graduation robes which have shifted to one color. He said most students are open to it and that some parents have expressed their opinions to Dr. Lawson. He said things are going good at the High School.
Board President’s Report: Dr. Archer
Dr. Archer started her report by saying as a parent of a senior she is very excited about the new gowns for seniors. Dr. Woodcock added that this change has been a couple of years in the making with both students and teachers at the High School. She said the gown will reflect the colors of the district being a solid red color with double white stripes on the sleeves. Dr. Woodcock said the robes will reflect all students as one team. Mrs. DeForest voiced concerns about gowns being passed down and that expense might be a burden. Dr. Archer indicated that there was spot on the order form for anyone in need of financial assistance.
Dr. Archer reported on the Board retreat which took place last week. She said the first part of the retreat focused on finance while the second part focused on school law. She thanked both Mr. Bartlett and Mrs. James Murad for their help with these topics.
Mr. Babikian shared that it was a good retreat and the time went very fast.
Dr. Archer shared upcoming events and said she was going to commit to attending three events in the upcoming months and challenged the Board to do the same.
Community Comment Time #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Dr. Woodcock said she would love to partner with the Board to hold a community forum. She said she would like to have a three-station forum, where people would move from station to station and cover the topics of equity updates, portrait of a graduate, and safety updates and initiatives. There will be feedback on each topic/station and refreshments will be provided for an enjoyable night with the community. The Board agreed to go forward with this forum and Dr. Woodcock said the forum will take place after the holidays.
Adjournment
At 7:42 Mr. Babikian moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried (8-0-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Hauser
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 12-8-25