Members Present
Dr. Archer
Mrs. Austin
Mrs. DeForest
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mr. Zoghby
Ms. Ajerari (Student Board Member)
Members Absent
Ms. McKenney
Mr. Leach
Mrs. Souser
Administration Present
Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Mahunik, Interim Business Administrator
Others in attendance: Alexandra Battaglia, Isaiah Steinberg, Christina Taylor, Ayah Abdel-Aziz, Katheryn DiStefano, Christina Prattico, Christiana Semabia, Amy Spitzer, Rose Palmisano, Kerri McKee and Mia Woolery.
Mrs. DeForest called the Board Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the House 2 Flex Space at the Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School and via Zoom.
Motion to Amend Agenda
Mrs. Austin moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the approval of the amendment to the agenda to add item #10, approve Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations.
Motion carried (6-0-0).
Middle School Presentation, Mr. Eldridge
Mr. Eldridge welcomed the board to the middle school. He began by explaining how the flex space is used on a daily basis. Mr. Eldridge shared a presentation which focused on how the ongoing work at the middle school supports the focus areas of the District Strategic Plan. Ms. Spitzer and Ms. Palmisano, English Language Arts Chairpersons for 7th and 8th grade, presented information on the flex-advisory-intervention class for students including expected outcomes. Mr. Eldridge also shared general information on academics, social emotional work being done and the state of the physical plant at the school. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Red Ram Recognition
Mrs. DeForest recognized Bryce Dadey, a sophomore who has been nominated for USA Football’s 2022 Heart of a Giant Award. Mrs. DeForest also welcomed, recognized and thanked the Middle School staff for their work in putting together the curriculum night on September 22 and showcasing the facilities. Mrs. DeForest recognized and thanked Mr. Clinton and Ms. Panek for their work on the Senior Capstone project at the high school and congratulated the students involved for their courage to try something new. She conveyed thanks to the Board from Mr. Clinton and Ms. Panek for allowing students this opportunity. Mrs. DeForest shared that October is National Bullying Prevention Month and also recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th.
Mr. Gross recognized both Mrs. DeForest and Mrs. James Murad for their achieved level of professional learning through NYSSBA and awarded certificates to both.
Community Comment Time #1
There were no community comments.
Approve Consent Agenda
1. Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations, Substitute Re-Appointments for the 22-23 School Year and new Substitute Appointments
2. Approve Minutes of the September 12, 2022 Board Meeting
3. Approve Overnight Field Trip Request
Dr. Smith stated that there is an amendment on the Superintendent’s substitute appointments, the appointment on the fourth line down will be removed.
Mr. Gross move and Mr. Zoghby seconded the approval of the Consent Agenda with the above amendment.
Motion carried (6-0-0).
Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – October 3, 2022
INSTRUCTIONAL
Change in Status
Name, position, location, change and effective date:
-
- Julianne Frechette, Physical Therapist, District, .6 FTE to .8 FTE, $54,935.00 (prorated), September 26, 2022
Change in Status
Name, position, location, change and effective date:
-
- Kristine Wisnieski, ESL Teacher, High School, Additional Class, ($14,889), August 31, 2022
- Xiomara Santos, Second Language Teacher, High School, Additional Class ($14,908), August 31, 2022
Resignation
Name, position, location, and effective date:
-
- Laura Bond, National Honor Society Co-Advisor, High School, 22-23 School Year
- Maria DeJesus, Spanish Club Advisor, High School, 22-23 School Year
- Maria DeJesus, Textbook Control, World Language Department, 22-23 School Year
- Lindsay Wilson, Art Teacher, Moses DeWitt and Tecumseh, October 13, 2022
Extra Duty Assignment – Fall Coaching
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- Jeff Ike, Boys Varsity Cross Country Coach, $568.00/per week
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – High School – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- Richard Adler, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Hank Cline, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Charles Clinton, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Andrew Cottet, MUN/Political Affairs Club Advisor, $3,172.00
- Joe DeChick, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Joe Goldberg, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Naque Howard, Bus Supervision, PM, $1,237.00
- Jeff Ike, Bus Supervision, AM, $1,237.00
- Mike Keenan, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Colleen Kenney, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Mike Klemperer, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Lee Krukowski, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Meghan McGee, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Mark McIntyre, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Connie Myers, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Hayley Nies, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Lori Pratt, Bus Supervision, AM, $1,237.00
- Larry Stroh, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Young Sul, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Larry Vielhauer, Lunch Supervision, $1,768.00
- Vitaliy Yanchuk, Bus Supervision, AM, $1,237.00
- Xiomara Santos, Textbook Control, World Languages, $294.80
Extra Duty Assignment – Extended Teaching – Middle School – 2022-2023 School Year
Name, assignment and stipend:
-
- Ghada Abu Ramadan, Lunch Supervision, 6th grade, $1,768.00
- John Barlow, Lunch Supervision, 7th grade, $1,768.00
- Faith Carapella, 5/6 Set Production, $1,768.00
- Audra Sixberry, Intramurals, $6,621.00
- Lisa Walsh, Lunch Supervision, AM, $1,768.00
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Appointments
Name, position, location, salary and effective date:
-
- Jason Block, Guard, 52-week probationary appointment, High School, $14.85/hr., replacing K. Love
- James Frank, Bus Driver, 52-week probationary appointment, Transportation, $32.39/hr., October 4, 2022, replacing M. Schwartz
- John Hudson, Substitute Head Custodian, Custodial Department, $18.00/hr., October 12, 2022
- Lily O’Bryan, Teacher Aide, 52-week probationary appointment, Moses DeWitt, $14.14/hr., October 4, 2022, Replacing J. Burgwin
- Michael Stith, Bus Driver, 52-week probationary appointment, Transportation, $32.39/hr., October 5, 2022, replacing K. Clark
Resignation
Name, position, location, and effective date:
-
- Joseph Amedro, Lifeguard, Middle School, August 31, 2022
Termination
Name, position, location, and effective date:
-
- Marjorie Sherman, Typist II, Middle School, October 4, 2022
Adopt 2022-2023 District Goals
Dr. Smith briefly reviewed the District Goals which were presented at the last meeting. There were no revisions.
Mrs. James Murad moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the adoption of the 2022-2023 District Goals.
Motion carried (6-0-0). (See Supplemental Minutes).
Adopt 2022-2023 Board Goals
Mrs. DeForest stated the Board Goals were presented at the last meeting and there was one recommendation for change regarding communications.
Mr. Zoghby moved and Mr. Gross seconded the adoption of the 2022-2023 Board Goals.
Motion carried. (6-0-0).
Potential Consideration for Future Meetings
Mr. Gross reviewed the list of items, explained current items on the list, how some items would be revisited, which items were removed and which items will be added.
Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith shared information regarding the State Education Department’s requirement for districts to determine if non-public schools in the district are providing substantially equivalent instruction. He said the district is charged with ensuring our non-public resident students receive instruction that is substantially equivalent to that of our district and at some point the board will have to approve and/or make that determination. He reviewed the pathways non-public schools can choose, including a local review option, said the timeline for this work is September of 2023 and that the District will be required to use their own resources and personnel to make the determination. He said he will provide more information as it is received.
Dr. Smith shared that the State Board of Regents has assembled a Blue Ribbon Commission to look at graduation measures across New York to better serve our diverse population. He said this commission was delayed two years due to COVID and is now working to provide recommendations by June 2024. He said this is important work that will have a direct impact on our current elementary students.
Dr. Smith shared information on the Health Care Workers Bonus Program. This program was approved as part of the 22-23 State budget where money was set aside for frontline healthcare and hygiene workers. He said eligible employees can earn up to $3,000 depending on the hours worked during specific vesting periods. He said the role of the district is to submit the information to the state. This information will be reviewed and approved and the state will reimburse the district for bonuses paid. He said this is a reward for the work these frontline workers did and he appreciates the fact that the state is helping out in this way. He said the first submission deadline is October 31st and that we are working on the submissions for our qualifying employees.
Lastly, Dr. Smith shared upcoming events with the board.
Committee Reports
Mr. Zoghby reported on the Facilities Committee which met prior to the Board meeting. He said they spoke about the softball group, which is working on a fundraising wall of recognition for donations to raise money for the softball field project. He also said they spoke about a proposed cellular tower by Verizon on school property, which would be additional revenue for the District as well as improved wifi service.
Dr. Archer reported that the Finance Committee met recently to discuss increasing the fund balance in response to a decrease in projected tax rate from the Town of DeWitt. She asked the Board to accept the recommendations of the Finance Committee to increase specific reserves. Mr. Gross asked if the Shoppingtown property is on the tax rolls yet. Dr. Smith will follow-up on that question.
Dr. Archer moved and Mr. Gross seconded the motion to accept an increase in the reserve fund balance.
Motion carried. (6-0-0)
Board President’s Report, Mrs. DeForest
Mrs. DeForest reported that she emailed Derek Dorsey at CNYSBA to inquire about the possibility of region-wide professional development this year. She said if that is not available she would like to know if the Board is interested in a book study or sharing articles and asked for thoughts from the Board. Mr. Gross suggested that each Board member take a meeting and share an article that they have read. He also said NYSSBA has a lot of materials and conferences and that we should be sharing the information learned. Mrs. DeForest will send out a synopsis and survey.
Mrs. DeForest said that during the December 15 Board Retreat, the Board will be digging into school climate data and will share the findings at the following board meeting.
Student Board Member Report, Ms. Aljerari
Ms. Aljerari shared her report centering on last year’s climate survey where it was reported less than 30% of students felt quite or extremely connected to the adults at school. With the help of Mr. Franz, Ms. Aljerari conducted a Thoughtexchange for students where she asked the question, what is some advice that you want to give the adults at Jamesville-DeWitt High School that would help increase this percentage? Ms. Aljerari shared the information from that Thoughtexchange including a participation breakdown, word cloud, top themes, top thoughts and an overview. (See Supplemental Minutes).
Community Comment Time #2
Amanda Schleicher commented on the SRO at Jamesville-DeWitt. She said she was shocked after reading an article which reported other districts are employing many more SRO’s. She said a building the size of the middle school should have an SRO and asked about the decision making process.
Unfinished and Continuing Business
Mr. Gross asked if the Board could be informed of special events such as senior nights for fall and winter sports.
Mrs. DeForest shared that she has received inquiries as to student groups, specifically at the middle school. She highlighted YANA Club, which stands for You Are Not Alone, and that it supports the initiatives of the diversity, equity and inclusion mission. She said there are many different clubs at both the middle school and high school that promote diversity, equity and inclusion, which are all optional and she encourages students and families to learn about the clubs so students can get involved in the community.
Mrs. DeForest also stated that, in addition to the hiring of a diverse staff in which students are reflected, she is proud of the variety of diverse books that students are invited to read and learn from at Jamesville-DeWitt.
At 8:23 p.m., Mr. Zoghby moved and Mrs. James Murad seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting to executive session for the purpose of discussing the employment history of particular persons.
Motion carried. (6-0-0)
At 9:22 p.m., Mrs. Austin moved and Mr. Gross seconded the motion to adjourn from executive session.
Motion carried. (6-0-0)
Mrs. James Murad moved and Mrs. Austin seconded the approval of the Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations.
Motion carried. (6-0-0)
Addendum to Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – October 3, 2022
NONINSTRUCTIONAL
Resignation
Name, position, location, and effective date:
- Sherry Giaquinto, Bus Driver, Transportation Department, October 14, 2022
At 9:31 p.m., Mrs. James Murad moved and Mr. Zoghby seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried. (6-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
William Furlong
Interim Clerk of the Board
BOARD APPROVED: 10/17/22