Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mrs. Austin
Mr. Babikian
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Ms. McKenney
Mr. Al-Mudamgha (Student Board Member)
Members Absent
Mr. Zogbhy
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Karunmay Aggarwal, Devan Miller, Gabbi Kleiner, Drew Babikian, Liam Scott, Sophia Caputo, Liya Luk, Aidan Johnson, Ashquinn Brown, Tom Tracy, Mitchell Archer, Aidan McGuire, Eli Goldberg, Amber Bates, Dorotea Sakota, Tristan Reed, Will Westpfal, Alex Bronchetti, Emeka Okereke, William Sutherland
Mr. Gross called the Board Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the District Office.
External Audit Report
Mark Ciaralli, CPA, and Jaimie Galante, CPA of Grossman St. Amour presented the 2022-2023 independent audit report to the Board of Education. (See Supplemental Minutes for presentation). A detailed presentation of this report was provided to the Audit Committee prior to the board meeting. As part of his report, Mr. Ciaralli reviewed the next steps for the board. The auditors expressed an unmodified, or clean opinion, in the District-wide financial statements, which is positive for the District. Ms. Galante reviewed the responsibilities of both the auditors and management as well as observations and recommendations. Ms. Galante also reviewed the audit performed on the extra classroom activities fund and expressed an opinion which is modified for the scope limitation as they deal with cash receipts. She said this is a typical opinion with these statements.
Mr. Ciaralli stated that although the last two years have been challenging, the District has done a good job. He said the audit report will come back for approval at the next meeting and then sent on to New York State. He said it is great to work with the District and Mr. Bartlett added that there is a great staff in place in the Business Office. Any questions regarding the audit should be directed to Dr. Smith and/or Mr. Bartlett.
Ms. McKenney explained to the students in attendance what an audit is, why it is performed, and how it affects the district.
Red Ram Recognition
During Red Ram Recognition, Mr. Gross recognized the following:
-
- Senior athletes on the fall sports teams who have been celebrating their annual senior nights
- J-D Faculty for organizing and attending Open Houses at the buildings as well as families and caregivers for attending
- J-D Sophomore Aarohi Rastogi who spoke at the United Nations as part of the International Day of the Girl.
- Jamesville Elementary School Fourth Grade student, Olivia Zhang who was named WSYR’s Extraordinary Talent of the Week
- Middle School Students Carly Fisher, Akul Pawar, Simran Sanders and Om Vaidya who represented J-D at the CNY Steamboat STEM Challenge and placed 2nd in the competition.
(See Supplemental Minutes)
Dr. Smith noted that this is School Board Recognition week and recognized the entire Board of Education for their commitment to all students, staff, and the J-D community. He said that these volunteers dedicate their time to improving our school district and on behalf of all administration and staff he thanked the Board for all that they do.
Community Comment Time
There were no comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
Mr. Babikian moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
-
- Approve Superintendent’s Personnel recommendations and New Substitute Appointments
- Approve Minutes of the September 18, 2023 Board Meeting
- Approve Overnight Field Trip Requests
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations
INSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name and position: Angelene Guglielmo, Teaching Assistant, four-year probationary appointment, new position
-
- Location: High School
- Salary: $25,362.29 (B1), prorated
- Certification: TA Level 1 in progress
- Effective: October 17, 2023
Name and position: Eric Barker, Teaching Assistant, four-year probationary appointment, new position
-
- Location: Tecumseh Elementary School
- Salary: $25,362.29 (B1), prorated
- Certification: TA Level 1
- Effective: October 17, 2023
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2023-2024
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- Margaret McBurney, Hole in the Wall Club Advisor, $1,554.00
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Winter Coaching – 2023-2024
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- Arsen Bagiryan, Modified Wrestling Coach, Volunteer, $0 *
- Grigoriy Bagiryan, Varsity Wrestling Coach, Volunteer, $0
- John Barlow, Modified Boys Basketball Coach, $3,361.00
- David Beseth, Varsity Wresting Coach, Volunteer, $0
- Robert Bewley, Varsity Boys Head Swimming Coach, $8,157.00
- Brian Cieplicki, JV Girls Head Basketball Coach, $4,845.00*
- Keith Cieplicki, Varsity Girls Head Basketball Coach, $8,871.00
- Joseph Corridori, Varsity Boys Assistant Indoor Track Coach, $4,588.00
- Melissa Ferrara, Girls Modified Basketball Coach, $3,108.00
- Patricia Ferris, Girls Modified Volleyball Coach, $4,134.00
- Patrick Gillette, Girls Varsity Head Indoor Track Coach, $6,742.00
- Jeffrey Ike, Boys Varsity Head Basketball Coach, $8,646.00
- Alanna Jones, Varsity Head Cheerleading Coach, $4,481.00
- Duane LeBlanc, Modified Wrestling Coach, $3,933.00
- Paul LeBlanc, Varsity Head Wrestling Coach, $6,196.00
- Parker Noble, Boys Varsity Head Indoor Track Coach, $5,279.00
- Joshua Paduano, Boys Modified Volleyball Coach, $3,167.00
- Tracy Parker, Girls Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach, Volunteer, $0
- Alexandria Payne, Girls Varsity Assistant Indoor Track Coach, $3,695.00
- Melanie Quinn, JV Head Cheerleading Coach, $3,108.00 *
- Ryan Pietrzak, Boys Varsity Diving Coach, $3,230.00
- Nancy Raicht, Boys/Girls Co-Varsity Indoor Track Coach, $1,921.50
- Emily Rowles, Boys/Girls Co-Varsity Indoor Track Coach, $2,327.50
- David Sciacca, Boys Modified Basketball Coach, $3,294.00
- Brittany Siechen, Girls Modified Volleyball Coach, $3,501.00 *
- Eugene Sul, Boys Modified Volleyball Coach, $4,405.00
- Paul Valentino, Boys Modified Basketball Coach, $4,340.00
* Pending completion of the certification process
Request for Leave of Absence
Name, position, location, reason and effective date:
-
- Kimberly Lewis, K-6 Classroom Teacher, Moses DeWitt, paid parent and FMLA Leave of absence, November 8, 2023 through March 13, 2024
Resignations
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Dawn Becker, School Nurse, Middle School, November 3, 2023
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
-
- Daryl Baker, Custodial Worker I, 52-week probationary appointment, Custodial Department, $18.85/hr., October 23, 2023, replacing D. Jones
- Homer Brown, Custodial Worker I, 52-week probationary appointment, Custodial Department, $18.85/hr., October 17, 2023, replacing L. Wilson
- Annie Doyle, part-time Food Service Worker, Food Service Department, $15.70/hr., replacing Katherine Hayes
- Andrew Franco, Substitute Bus Attendant, Transportation Department, $15.00/hr., October 17, 2023
- John Gillotti, Custodian II, 52-week probationary appointment, Custodial Department, $28.07/hr., November 6, 2023, replacing P. Bianchi
- Donald Pooler, part-time Seasonal Grounds Worker, Maintenance Department, $16.00/hr., October 17, 2023
- Elaine Spellman, part-time Food Service Worker, Food Service Department, $15.70/hr., October 17, 2023, replacing K. Rietz
- Taylor Yim, Lifeguard, 52-week probationary appointment, Middle School, $19.25/hr., October 17, 2023, replacing G. Morris
Change in Status – 2023-2024 School Year
Name, position, location, change and effective date:
-
- Patrick Bianchi, Custodian II, 52-week probationary appointment, from Custodian I, Custodial Department, $28.07/hr., October 23, 2023, replacing L. Falter
- Kelsey Rozyczko, Cook 1, Food Service Department, 52-week probationary appointment, from Food Service Worker, $18.89/hr., October 17, 2023, replacing L. Shaver
Resignations
Name, assignment, location, and effective date:
-
- Eric Barker, Teacher Aide, Tecumseh, October 16, 2023
- Johanna Erickson, Teacher Aide, Moses DeWitt, October 13, 2023
- Darryl Jones, Custodial Worker I, Custodial Department, October 13, 2023
- Matthew Kenyon, Custodial Worker I, Custodial Department, October 18, 2023
- Katie Reitz, Food Service Helper I, Food Service Department, October 20, 2023
- Marvin Williams, Custodian I, Custodial Department, September 29, 2023
Accept Donation from JDYAA for New Wrestling Mat
Ms. McKenney moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the Motion to accept a donation from the JDYAA for the purchase of a new wrestling mat. Mr. Gross thanked the JDYAA for the donation.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Adopt 2023-2024 District Goals
Dr. Smith briefly reviewed the 2023-2024 District Goals which were presented at the last meeting.
Ms. McKenney moved and Mrs. DeForest seconded the motion to adopt the 2023-2024 District Goals which were presented by Dr. Smith at the last meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Approve SEQRA Resolution for High School Fitness Room Lift
Dr. Smith shared information on an Emergency Project to replace the High School Fitness Room lift due to size limitations. He said the Board will need to approve both a SEQRA Resolution and an Emergency Project Resolution to move forward.
Mr. Babikian moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the motion to approve the following SEQRA Resolution:
JAMESVILLE-DEWITT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Emergency High School Fitness Room ADA Lift SEQRA Resolution.
It is, RESOLVED, that the SEQRA Resolution is a Negative Declaration – Pursuant to Article 8 of the Environment Conservation Law, Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District will act as Lead Agency, with said entity located at 6845 Edinger Drive, DeWitt, NY 13214 and the contact is Peter Smith, Superintendent, (315) 445-8304.
WHEREAS, according to the regulations of the New York State Education Department, the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District is primarily responsible for assuring compliance with the procedural and substantive requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act and the regulations of the Department of Environmental Conservation of the State of New York (6 NYCRR Part 617, as amended) promulgated there under (“SEQRA”); and Based upon review of the proposed project, the Board hereby declares itself lead agency to the extent necessary for this purpose and hereby finds that the proposed action constitutes a type II action as such quoted term is defined in SEQRA and, therefore, is not subject to any further review by the School District under SEQRA; and
WHEREAS, the proposed emergency High School Fitness Room ADA Lift project includes general reconstruction and renovation at the Jamesville-DeWitt High School, in DeWitt, (“the Renovation Project”); and
WHEREAS, the Renovation Project has been classified Type II action for the State Environmental Quality review Act (SEQRA), which action will not have any significant impact on the environment and are not subject to review under SEQRA; and
IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Board hereby determines that the Renovation Project will not have a significant environmental impact; that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement is not required for such action and will not be prepared; and that this Negative Declaration shall be filed with the EAF in the District Office where they will be available for public inspection.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Approve Emergency Project Resolution for High School Fitness Room Lift
Mrs. DeForest moved and Mr. Baxter seconded the approval of the Emergency Project Resolution for the High School Fitness Room Lift.
Motion carried. (8-0-0) (See Supplemental Minutes)
Approve Resolution Authorizing Commencement of Social Media Litigation
Mrs. James Murad moved and Ms. McKenney seconded the approval of the following Resolution Authorizing Commencement of Social Media Litigation:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING COMMENCEMENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA LITIGATION
WHEREAS, in recent years, it has become apparent that children and teenagers are spending an inordinate amount of time scrolling through various social media platforms, including Meta, Instagram, TikTok; and
WHEREAS, while spending time on social media platforms, children and teenagers are often subjected to harmful and exploitative content which is causing them to experience increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues at an alarming rate; and
WHEREAS, studies have shown that as a result of increased mental health issues secondary to social media use, students are performing worse in school, are less likely to attend school, are more likely to engage in substance use and to act out somewhat violently, all of which affects a school district’s ability to fulfill its educational mission; and
WHEREAS, the Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District Board of Education (“BOE”) has been invited to join a nation-wide lawsuit by public entities, including many school districts, against Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube as well as other social media companies; and
WHEREAS, the lawsuit alleges that these social media companies have caused a mental health crisis among children and teenagers that severely affects their ability to succeed in school; and
WHEREAS, the BOE wishes to join this lawsuit to hold social media companies accountable for their exploitive conduct, send the message to these companies that profits should not be prioritized at the expense of children’s health and safety, and provide the District with financial resources to mitigate this ongoing mental health crisis.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District Board of Education hereby resolves:
1. To appoint the law firms of Bond Schoeneck & King, PLLC, and the Frantz Law Group, APLC to provide legal services in connection with pursuing claims for damages associated with the litigation against Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube as well as other social media companies consistent with the recitals above;
2. To approve the contract for such legal services; and
3. To authorize the Superintendent to take all steps necessary to become an active co-plaintiff to litigation filed on behalf of school districts by Bond Schoeneck & King and the Frantz Law Group.
ADOPTED this 16th day of October 2023, by a roll call vote as follows:
YES: 8; NO: 0; ABSTAIN: 0
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Discussion of 2023-2024 Board Goals
Mr. Gross distributed a list of Board Goals for 2023-2024. The four goals are: Students First; Communication and Community Engagement; Board Self-Evaluation and Reflection; and Board Professional Development.
Mr. Gross asked the Board to review and respond with suggestions and/or areas that need strengthening. The Goals will be brought back to the next meeting for approval. (See Supplemental Minutes)
Board Policies, First Readings
The following policies were brought to the Board for a first reading:
- 5630 – Facilities
- 6121 – Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
- 7420 – Sports and the Athletic Program
- 8240 – Instruction in Certain Subjects
Mrs. James Murad said the changes were brought to us from the Policy service and she reviewed the changes in each policy. The policies will come back for a second reading at the next meeting.
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Ms. McKenney asked for an update on the new Athletic Director position, including his plans for exit interviews with athletes and coaches. Dr. Smith said this will be part of Mr. Wheeler’s presentation for the Board later in the school year.
Assistant Superintendent’s Report: School Climate Survey, Mr. Reyes
Mr. Reyes shared a presentation with the Board on the 2022-2023 School Climate Survey. He addressed the purpose of the school climate survey, how it ties into the District Strategic Plan and the timeline from when it was introduced. Mr. Reyes reviewed the surveys which were given to students, teachers, staff and families and shared response rates. He stated that the full report will be posted on the website and shared successes and action plans by building. Lastly, Mr. Reyes shared the next steps. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith shared information on the Community Eligibility Provision, which is a federal meal program that provides breakfast and lunch for all enrolled students without the burden of filling out household applications for assistance. Dr. Smith shared the qualifications that districts and schools need to meet to be able to participate in this program. He said that Ms. Vedsted and Mr. Bartlett are working together to determine if any or all of our schools will qualify. He said that there is an application that is due mid-December and we will need to see if we want to take advantage of this. Dr. Smith that there are challenges associated with this and that this will probably need to be a conversation point for the Board to determine how this would best meet the needs of our students and district.
Mrs. DeForest asked for an explanation of the upcoming half-day on Friday. Dr. Smith said that the district has been doing a great deal of work that requires staff to be engaged with regular professional learning. In an effort to reduce the time out of class for teachers two additional half days for students were added to the 2023-24 calendar. The first half day for students is scheduled for Friday, October 20.
Student Board Member Report, Mr. Al-Mudamgha
Mr. Al-Mudamgha provided a report to the Board which included a discussion of the recent events in Israel and Palestine. He asked for a moment of silence from the Board.
Mr. Al-Mudamgha reported on the Sally A. Lock Coaches v. Cancer game which raised over $11,400 and on Mrs. Eaton’s Corporate Communications class which raised over $2,000 for Upstate Cancer Center. The Corporate Communications class sold over 500 shirts for the Boys Volleyball pinkout games. He congratulated Coach Jamie Archer for being inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame and said he was glad he was recognized for his years of service to the district.
Mr. Al-Mudamgha congratulated the following J-D musicians selected to the Conference All-State Festival: Patrick Duca, Frang Wang, Grace Culligan, Abigail Feng, and Will Lesser. He also congratulated the following seniors named as Commended Students in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program: Moksha Adhikary, Amanda Itken, Grace Culligan, Yavuz Damkaci Kyler Huyck, Leah Nemi and Adam Rigdon.
Mr. Al-Mudamgha reported on the first meeting of the student government. He said over 40 students attended along with Mr. Lawson. The student government will continue to meet the first Wednesday of every month.
Lastly, Mr. Al-Mudamgha again asked for the Board to consider purchasing wall-mounted air conditioners for every classroom with a window and informed the Board that the district’s internet firewall is causing issues for students.
(See Supplemental Minutes).
Committee Reports
Both the Policy Committee and Audit Committee provided reports at this meeting. The Facility Committee will meet next week and provide a report at the next meeting.
Board President’s Report
Mr. Gross reported on the upcoming NYSSBA Conference in Buffalo. He said he will be attending along with Mrs. James Murad, Mrs. DeForest and Dr. Smith. He said he will be sharing all materials after the conference and that if anyone sees a session of interest, please let one of the attendees know. He reminded the Board about the NYSSBA Executive Director Luncheon presentations and said that if you register, you will be provided with a link that will allow you to view the presentation. Mr. Gross will share the presentations he has already attended. Lastly, Mr. Gross asked if anyone was interested in extending the book study that was started at the retreat. He will send out proposed times to anyone interested.
Community Comment Time #2
There were no comments.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
There was no unfinished and continuing business.
At 9:01 p.m., Ms. McKenney moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (8-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Bartlett
Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 10-30-23