Typeset from the official record — motions and recorded votes are detected automatically. The official copy governs.
November 3, 2025 MOTION:
It was moved by ; seconded by , that the Board of Education minutes from
October 20, 2025 be approved as submitted.
Ayes Nays Abstentions
District Office Conference Room
October 20, 2025 7:00 p.m.
President, Rob Southworth, called the regular BOE Meeting to Order at 7:00 p.m.
Jim Brooker MEMBERS PRESENT Jim Graham
Wayne Halstead
Kate Kehn
Cliff Pelton
Keith Renfrew
Earl Rudy
Aurora Rose - Student Board Member
Jeff Slater MEMBERS ABSENT
Superintendent Chris Byme OTHERS PRESENT Administrative Team
Rob Southworth, led the Pledge of Allegiance. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
None RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Superintendent Christopher Byrne began by taking a moment to publicly SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT thank our Board of Education, which this year certainly includes Student Board Member Aurora Rose, for their unwavering dedication to our students, staff and community. Your leadership, commitment, and countless hours of service ensure that every decision we make keeps students at the heart of our work. On behalf of the entire district, thank you for all you do to make our schools a place where every child can thrive. Mr. Byme, Mr. Halstead and Mr. Brooker attended the Clay Target League practice last Wednesday. It was great seeing all of our students participating in this new opportunity. Brenden Backus and our volunteer coaches are doing an excellent job working with our students. We currently have 16 students participating and they anticipate even more students next year. Mr. Byrme thanked former Superintendent Judy Belfield for the cookies she brought tonight for the board members for Board Appreciation. Mr. Byme also thanked Mr. Jeffries for all his hard work coordinating the Volleyball Tournament hosted at EJD on Saturday. It was a great opportunity for 11 Varsity Teams and our JV Team to compete all day. I heard many positive comments from the athletes and the parents at the event. Mr. Byrne mentioned it was a busy week for athletes. The League Champions Boys Varsity Soccer Team (seed 7) as they play Oneida (seed 10) on Tuesday Nigh @ 6:30 p.m. at JCB. The Varsity Girls Soccer Team (seed 3) as they play the winner of Adirondack and Holland Patent scheduled to play Tuesday Night: this game will be on Thursday Night @ 6:30 p.m. @ JCB. It’s also a big week for our Marching Band as they compete at the NYS Field Band Championships at the JMA Wireless Dome at 7:24 p.m. on Sunday Night. Good luck to our students!
It was moved by Jim Graham, seconded by Kate Kehn, that the BOE Minutes APPROVAL OF BOARD OF from September 22, 2025 be approved as submitted. EDUCATION MINUTES
Motion Carried
It was moved by Cliff Pelton, seconded by Jim Brooker, that based on the APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL Superintendent’s recommendations the entire Personnel Appointments, Retirements and Resignations be accepted.
Motion Carried
Kelly O'Mara Math Facilitator EJD & JCB $2,600 9/1/2025-6/30/2026
Rick Pento Science Facilitator EJD & JCB $2,600 9/1/2025-6/30/2026
Colleen Longley Social Studies EJD & JCB $2,600 9/1/2025-6/30/2026 Facilitator
Jennifer LaBrake English Facilitator EJD & JCB $2,600 9/1/2025-6/30/2026
James Cassella Elementary Teacher EJD 2/13/2026
Holt Reed Sub Teaching ALL $120/day 10/01/2025 Assistant
Gene Mills Sub Teaching ALL $120/day 9/22/2025 Assistant
Trevor Tooke Sub. Teacher ALL $140/day 10/21/2025 Sub. Teaching $120/day Assistant
Anna Muhinickel Sub. Teacher ALL $140/day 12/15/2025
Matthew Calabrese Sub. Teacher ALL $140/day 10/21/2025 Sub. Teaching $120/day
Assistant
Melissa Trask Bus Driver Transportation 40/21/2025
Megan Lovell Custodial Worker O&M 10/17/2025
NAME POSITION | BUILDING SALARY | EFFECTIVE/PROBATION
Shannon Bus Driver | Transportation $31.57/hr. | 10/21/2025-4/19/2026 Gedamoske-replacing Danielle Lefebvre
Riley Green-replacing Custodial O&M $25.16/hr. | 10/21/2025-04/19/2026 Ralph Blair II Worker
Sarah Lamb Sub. Bus Driver Transportation $23/hr. 10/21/2025 Sheena Bryan Sub. Bus Aide Transportation $15.50/hr. 10/21/2025 Linda Windey Sub. Nurse ALL $140/day 10/21/2025 William Newton Sub. Bus Driver Transportation $23/hr. 10/21/2025 Tammy Nigro Sub. Teacher Aide Copy Center $15.50/hr. 10/21/2025
Val Czyz Sub. Supervisor EJD $15.50/hr. 10/21/2025
It was moved by Earl Rudy, seconded by Kate Kehm, that the RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE Recommendations from the Committee on Preschool Special Education and COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL Special Education be approved as submitted. EDUCATION
Motion Carried
It was moved by Earl Rudy, seconded by Wayne Halstead, that District RESOLUTION TO APPOINT LEAD Superintendent Jeremy Belfield be appointed as the lead search consultant to SEARCH CONSULTANT FOR replace retiring Superintendent Mr. Christopher Byme. SEARCH
Motion Carried
It was moved by Wayne Halstead, seconded by Jim Graham, that the APPROVAL OF 2024-2025 AUDIT 2024-2025 Audit of Financial Statements be approved as presented. REPORTS
Motion Carried
It was moved by Wayne Halstead, seconded by Jim Graham, that the 2024-2025 Extra-classroom Activity Fund financial report be approved as presented.
Motion Carried
It was moved by Wayne Halsted, seconded by Jim Graham, that the 2024-2025 Single Uniform Guidance Audit Report be approved as presented.
Motion Carried
It was moved by Wayne Halstead, seconded by Keith Renfrew, that the APPROVAL OF 2024-2025 2024-2025 Independent Intemal Audit Report be approved as presented. INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS
Motion Tabled
It was moved by Earl Rudy, seconded by Cliff Pelton, that the revised APPROVAL OF CORRECTIVE Corrective Action Plan for the 2024-2025 audit of the Basic Financial ACTION PLAN FOR AUDIT OF Statements be approved as presented. 2024-2025 BASIC FINANCIAL
Motion Carried STATEMENTS ACTIVITY FUNDS
It was moved by Earl Rudy, second by Kate Kehn, that the Corrective Action APPROVAL OF CORRECTIVE Plan for the 2024-2025 internal audit report be approved as presented. ACTION PLAN FOR 2024-2025
Motion Carried
It was moved by Cliff Pelton, seconded by Keith Renfrew, that the Board of AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER Education authorizes a transfer of $1,000,000 from the excess fund balance FUNDS TO THE RESERVE FOR into the Reserve for Workers Compensation and Benefits for the fiscal year RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION ending June 30, 2025.
Motion Carried
It was moved by Wayne Halstead, seconded by Kate Kehn, that the Board of AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER
Education authorizes a transfer of up to $106,817 from the excess fund FUNDS TO THE TRS balance into the Reserve for Insurance liability for the fiscal year ending June RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION
Motion Carried
It was moved by Wayne Halstead, seconded by Cliff Pelton, that a donation ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION for $1,545.40 from Erin’s Angels of CNY Inc. be accepted. FOR PHOENIX CENTRAL
Motion Carried
It was moved by Earl Rudy, seconded by Jim Graham, that the request for AUTHORIZATION FOR refund of school taxes be accepted as presented. CORRECTION OF SCHOOL
Motion Carried TAXES
It was moved by Earl Rudy, seconded by Jim Brooker, that the request for AUTHORIZATION FOR REFUND refund of school taxes be accepted as presented. OF SCHOOL TAXES
Motion Carried
It was moved by Jim Graham, seconded by Cliff Pelton, that the attached ACCEPTANCE OF SEPTEMBER Treasurer’s reports for the period ending September 30, 2025 are accepted. 2025 TREASURER’S REPORTS
Motion Carried
None BOARD MEMBER REPORTS FOR
None BOARD CONCERNS FOR
It was moved by Earl Rudy, seconded by Cliff Pelton, to move into Executive EXECUTIVE SESSION
Session at 8:05 p.m.
Motion Carried
It was moved by Earl Rudy, seconded by Cliff Pelton, to move out of open OPEN SESSION/ADJOURNMENT session and Adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Motion Carried
Respectfully Submitted,
Maureen Haney District Clerk