Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mrs. Austin
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mr. Leach
Ms. McKenney (attended remote)
Mrs. Souser
Ms. Ajerari (Student Board Member)
Members Absent
Mr. Zoghby
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Furlong, Interim Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Cielo Martinez, Lisa Patchen, Tate Patchen, Stephanie Lynne, Jeannine Santana, Ann Magnarelli, Ben Alexander, Hannah Fuchsberg, John Clinton, Nathan Warren-Faricy, Michael Meskos, Kai Brutsaert, Laura Dietz, Dana Dietz, Ben Dietz, Sam Dietz, Owen Dietz, Bohdin Bright, Gretchen Bliss, Solomon Bliss, Seth Brodsky, Jacob Brodsky, Nathanel Amare, Joe Farranto, Jodi Schwedes, Andrea Jacobs, David Archer, Mark Bratslavsky, Cristina Reed, Tiffany Gratien, Matt Wells, Meghan Christian, and Christiana Semabia.
Mrs. DeForest called the Board Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the gymnasium of Moses DeWitt Elementary School and via Zoom.
Presentation, Mrs. Sylvester, Principal
Mrs. Sylvester shared a presentation about Moses DeWitt Elementary which included a breakdown of staff and students, a review of the components of the strategic plan and how those initiatives are operationalized at the school. Specific initiatives related to the Culture of Wellness were highlighted. She shared connections with students which include weekly SEL lessons and character education activities, and buddy classrooms. Mrs. Sylvester shared professional learning opportunities for teacher aides and assistants as well as information on the role of the Promise Zone Specialist. Mrs. Sylvester introduced music teacher, Mrs. Essig and representatives of the third grade class. The students performed songs which showcased their music literacy and how they work cooperatively. Mrs. Sylvester talked about how the Building Level Team was addressing equity and CR-SE, including problem solving, and how the Interfaith Works student dialogue is building empathy, reducing bias and developing cultural understanding among students. The student dialogue group has been introduced in fourth grade under the leadership of Mrs. Hayes, Mrs. Essig and Mrs. Karagoz. A presentation which included fourth grade students, was presented on different concepts and skills that take place within the sessions. Mrs. Sylvester recognized the family engagement component of the strategic plan and said Parent Square has been an amazing tool for communication and has promoted the idea that everyone is welcome at Moses DeWitt. Mrs. Sylvester ended with information on the various curriculum and program initiatives which are being used. Then she took questions from the Board.
Red Ram Recognition
Mrs. DeForest shared that November is Native American Heritage Month and acknowledged the contributions of Native people. Mrs. DeForest recognized the fall sports teams and individual athletes who have reached post-season play with special recognition to those athletes and teams that will participate in regional and state level competition. In addition, Mrs. DeForest congratulated Meghan Christian and Will Cooper as they were recognized by the Heisman High School Scholarship program, not only for their academic achievements but for serving as leaders and role models across the J-D Community. Mrs. DeForest congratulated Adrianne Weldum, a senior, and wished her luck as she competes in the National Dressage Championship in Lexington, KY this upcoming weekend. Mrs. DeForest thanked Beth Ann Smith and Christine Henderson, our teachers on special assignment, for their work in the implementation and professional development of the ELA program. She said their work has had a positive impact on both students and staff.
Community Comment Time #1
Matthew Wells commented on the student gender identity policy and his concern on how it relates to interscholastic sports.
Christiana Semabia commented on equity at Moses DeWitt and shared her experience as a parent of multi-racial students, one of which she said has been pushed out of a primarily white school.
Approve Consent Agenda
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- Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations, New Substitute Appointments and Addendum to Personnel Recommendations
- Tenure Appointment
- Approve Substitute Rates of Pay 2022-2023
Mrs. Souser moved and Mr. Gross seconded the approval of the Consent Agenda.
Mrs. Archer explained that a family member was on the personnel recommendations and that she would like to vote despite that fact. There were no objections from other board members.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – November 7, 2022
INSTRUCTIONAL
Change in Status
Name, position, location, change and effective date:
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- Samantha Siderakis, Guidance Counselor, Middle School, Regular Substitute to four year probationary appointment, (from August 31, 2022), replacing M. Moss, effective November 7, 2022
Request for Leave
Name, assignment, location, type of leave, and effective date:
-
- Allison Fuess, K-6 Classroom Teacher, Tecumseh Elementary School, paid and unpaid parental leave, February 3, 2023 through May 1, 2023
Request for Retirement
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Carol Sluis, Teaching Assistant, Jamesville Elementary, December 24, 2022
Resignation
Name, position, location, and effective date:
-
- Luis Ramos, Teaching Assistant, Tecumseh, October 19, 2022
Resignation, Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment and effective date:
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- Amy Bissetta, Student Council, Problem Solving, October 17, 2022
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend:
-
- Kristen Hefti, Student Council, Problem Solving 7/8, $746.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment, and stipend
-
- Linda Slade, HS Spanish Club Advisor, $888.00
- Dylan Spencer, Auditorium Manager, $50.00/hr.
Resignation Extra Duty Assignment – Winter Coaching – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment:
-
- Patrick Gillette, Varsity Assistant Indoor Track Coach
- Caitlyn Lawless, Varsity Assistant Indoor Track Coach (Volunteer)
- John Lenish, Modified Boys Volleyball Coach
- Michele Maciejewski, Varsity Girls Head Indoor Track Coach
- Sean Mulvihill, Varsity Assistant Indoor Track Coach
- Emily Rowles, Varsity Boys Head Indoor Track Coach
- Steven Scaramuzzino, Varsity Assistant Indoor Track Coach
Extra Duty Assignment – Winter Coaching – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- Craig Benedict, Modified Wrestling Coach, Volunteer
- Patrick Gillette, Varsity Boys Head Indoor Track Coach, $6,483.00
- Austin Isaacs, Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, Volunteer
- James Lawton, Varsity Girls Indoor Track Coach, Volunteer
- Duane LeBlanc, Modified Wrestling Coach, $3,782.00*
- John Lenish, Varsity Girls Head Indoor Track Coach, $5,076.00
- Ryan Pietrzak, Varsity Boys Diving Coach, $3,106.00
- Nancy Raicht, Varsity Assistant Track Coach, $3,696.00
- Emily Rowles, Varsity Boys Indoor Track Coach, Volunteer
- Brittany Siechen, Modified Girls Volleyball Coach, $3,367.00*
- Amanda Valentino, Modified Boys Swimming Coach, $3,890.00
- Paul Valentino, Modified Boys Basketball Coach, $4,173.00
- Kasey Vaughan, Varsity Girls Assistant Basketball Coach, Volunteer*
*Pending completion of the certification process
Extra Duty Assignment – Spring – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- David Archer, JV Boys Head Lacrosse Coach, $5,962.00
- Jamie Archer, Varsity Boys Head Lacrosse Coach, $9,044.00
- Solomon Bliss, Varsity Boys Assistant Lacrosse Coach, $5,601.00
- Jeffrey Cantor, Varsity Head Softball Coach, $5,850.00
- Charles Clinton, Modified Boys Lacrosse Coach, $5,441.00
- Christopher Constantino, Varsity Boys Assistant Lacrosse Coach, $6,043.00
- Christian Daly, JV Boys Assistant Lacrosse Coach, $4,583.00
- Ryan Dera, Varsity Baseball Head Coach, $6,715.00
- Katie Ducharme, Varsity Softball Asst. Coach, Volunteer
- Allison Gallagher, Modified Girls Lacrosse Coach, $4,141.00
- Joseph Goldberg, JV Boys Head Tennis Coach, $3,837.00
- Samantha Guillaume, JV Softball Coach, $3,553.00
- Kevin Hagan, JV Baseball Coach, $3,696.00
- Courtney Keough, Modified Girls Lacrosse Coach, $4,061
- Michael Klemperer, Varsity Assistant Baseball Coach, Volunteer
- Daniel Law, Modified Boys Lacrosse Coach, $5,372.00
- Sean McMahon, Varsity Assistant Softball Coach, Volunteer
- Megan Murphy, Varsity Girls Head Lacrosse Coach, $7,447.00
- Stephanie O’Rourke, JV Girls Assistant Lacrosse Coach, $4,397.00
- Tracy Parker, Varsity Girls Assistant Lacrosse Coach, $4,658.00
- Melissa Quinn, Modified Girls Lacrosse Coach, $5,186.00
- Elyssa Rosenbaum, Modified Softball Coach, $3,106.00
- Patrick Scullion, Modified Boys Lacrosse Coach, $5,300.00
- Carly Stone, Varsity Girls Assistant Lacrosse Coach, $4,658.00
- Eugene Sul, Varsity Boys Head Tennis Coach, $5,483.00
- James Tuck, Modified Softball Coach, $4,067.00
- Paul Valentino, Modified Baseball Coach, $4,705.00
- Robert Wiegand, Modified Baseball Coach, $3,106.00
- Joshua Paduano, JV Baseball Coach, Volunteer
- Samantha Guillaume, Unified Basketball, $888.00
- Jeffrey Ike, Unified Basketball, $906.00
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
-
- Kindra Baron, Teacher Aide, High School, $14.14/hr., 52 week probationary appointment, replacing V. Runions, November 8, 2022
- Cierra Phoenix, School Monitor, High School, $14.14/hr., 52 week probationary appointment, new position, November 8, 2022
- Rachel Setek, Lifeguard, Middle School, $18.03/hr., 52 week probationary appointment, replacing J. Amedro, November 8, 2022
Resignation
Name, position, location, and effective date:
-
- Analisa Wedemeyer, Bus Attendant, Transportation, October 18, 2022
Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – November 7, 2022
INSTRUCTIONAL
Extra Duty Assignment – Winter Coaching – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- Alexandria Payne, Varsity Assistant Track Coach, $3,553.00
Superintendent’s Tenure Recommendations – November 7, 2022
Name: Marcy Baker
Tenure Area: Elementary Principal
Location: Jamesville Elementary School
Effective Date: January 2, 2022
Approve Annual Auditor’s Report, Financial Statements and Corrective Action Plan for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.
Mrs. Souser moved and Mr. Gross seconded the acceptance of the Annual Auditor’s Report, Financial Statements and Corrective Action Plan for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022. (See Supplemental Minutes)
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Minutes October 17, 2022
Mrs. Souser moved and Mr. Gross seconded the approval of the Minutes of the October 17, 2022 Board Meeting.
Motion carried. (6-0-2) Mrs. James Murad and Mrs. Austin abstained.
Board Policies – Second Reading
The following policies were brought to the Board for a second reading and reviewed:
-
- 6160 Professional Growth/Staff Development
- 7410 Extracurricular Activities
- 7540 Suicide
- 7552 Student Gender Identity
- 8330 Objection to Instructional Materials and Controversial Issues
Mrs. Souser expressed concern that the Student Gender Identity Policy is micromanaging the equity policy. Mrs. James Murad stated that the Gender Policy follows State Education Department guidelines and that the district is required to follow Commissioner’s guidelines. There was a board discussion surrounding the Student Gender Identity Policy.
Following discussion the board decided to consider each policy separately.
Mrs. James Murad moved and Mrs. Souser seconded the motion to approve Policy 6160, Professional Growth/Staff Development.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Mr. Gross moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to approve Policy 7410, Extracurricular Activities.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Mrs. Austin moved and Dr. Archer seconded the approval of Policy 7540, Suicide.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Dr. Archer moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the approval of Policy 7552, Student Gender Identity.
Motion carried. (5-3-0) Mrs. Austin, Mrs. Souser and Ms. McKenney objected.
Mrs. James Murad moved and Dr. Archer seconded the approval of Policy 8330, Objection to Instructional Materials and Controversial Issues.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Ms. McKenney said she was approached by a community member regarding school safety, entrances, locks, and metal detectors and would like to add it to the list. Mrs. James Murad said it was discussed by the SRO Task Force.
Mr. Leach asked to add the topic of having separate security people in each building. Ms. McKenney asked for a study of other schools of similar size, specifically the ratio of officers per building. Mr. Franz has that information and will share with the Board.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith explained the Business Executive search plan and said we will be publicizing the opening after the first of the year. He shared the challenges that were encountered last year during the search and hopes to reach a wider pool of candidates with the goal of having the successful candidate starting mid to late June. Dr. Smith shared that the Helio Health Clinic at the High School has received conditional approval for the space and is now open and taking clients. Dr. Smith also updated the Board on the partnership the administrative team has with Syracuse University around building communities of equity. This work continues the work started last year with a book study attended by districts across the region.
Dr. Smith took a moment to share his experience attending the events at both the MOST and OCC last week surrounding Micron. He said the event at OCC, where the President spoke was one of the most powerful events of his life and said he looks forward to and is very hopeful of the positive impact Micron will have on CNY and the next generation of students at Jamesville-DeWitt. Dr. Smith concluded by sharing upcoming events.
Committee Reports
Mrs. James Murad said the Textbook/School Library policy will be coming to the board for a first reading at the next meeting.
Board President’s Report, Mrs. DeForest
Mrs. DeForest reported on the NYSSBA Convention that she attended along with Dr. Smith, Mrs. James Murad and Mr. Gross. She said there were amazing presentations on a variety of topics and shared information on two of the sessions she attended, one of them being on Social Emotional Learning and the other highlighted projects that students were working on, similar to our Capstone Projects.
Mr. Gross shared that the presentation of multi-media artist, Frank Waln was a great presentation that included his background and learning. The keynote speaker, Marlee Matlin, shared information on her story about being successful. He said both Frank and Marlee were inspirational.
Dr. Smith said he attended an excellent presentation on electric bussing and met a consultant that will be useful when the District moves in that direction.
Lastly, Mrs. DeForest shared information on the upcoming Public Forum on November 17 at 7:00 p.m. She said the event will be virtual and will feature Dr. Amy Goodrum presenting Through the Pandemic and Beyond, which will focus on culture of wellness and how to move forward from the pandemic.
Student Board Member Report, Ms. Aljerari
Ms. Aljerari provided the Board with a report which included the topics of administration of the BIMAS survey, school spirit and the purchase of a mascot and flag, a food drive organized by the National Honor Society for the Jamesville Food Pantry, constructive Student Government meetings and JEDI meetings (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity). (See Supplemental Minutes).
Community Comment Time #2
Warren Abrams, graduate of the J-D class of 1972 recognized the passing of Carl Bjork who was a former athletic director and football coach. He is an inaugural inductee into the J-D Hall Fame. Mr. Abrams expressed his disappointment that the J-D Fine Arts Hall of Fame will not be holding a ceremony this year.
Scott Sofen asked to speak but could not be found virtually to comment. Mrs. DeForest asked him to email the Board with his comments.
Solomon Bliss commented on SROs in the District and gender identity. He said he was under the impression that the role of an SRO is to build relationships with students to feel safe. He would like to know how the information was gathered to report that students don’t feel safe with an SRO.
Tiffany Gratien commented about SRO’s and the need for one in each building. She shared a story about an experience at a school she works at where a student brought a gun to school and was disarmed by the security guards. She asked the Board to consider putting an SRO in each building and asked for a survey to go out to students and community.
Andrea Jacobs, who helps with the dialogue circles, said there is no data that says students do better because of the dialogue programs, but this work aligns with the seal of civic readiness. She also shared her experience working with youth and specifically how to engage transgender youth while policy making.
Christiana Semabia commented that the most vulnerable students are the ones that need protection. She said she felt distressed hearing about protecting some students but not others. Ms. Semabia commented on the civility demonstrated during the meeting.
Solomon Bliss requested to speak a second time. Mrs. DeForest stated that community comment time only allows a speaker one 3 minute window for comments per segment. She asked him to follow up with an email to the Board.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
None.
At 9:00 p.m., Mrs. Souser moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to adjourn to
Executive Session for purpose of discussing the employment history of particular persons.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
At 9:28 p.m., Mrs. Souser moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the motion to adjourn Executive Session.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
At 9:35 p.m., Mr. Gross moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
William Furlong
Interim Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 11-21-22