clayny.news

AI for transparency
Clay, New York · Monday, August 10, 2026· Aug 10, 2026
🎓 Board of Education (Phoenix)

Board of Education (Phoenix)

2025-09-22 · 1420 words

Typeset from the official record — motions and recorded votes are detected automatically. The official copy governs.

Contents · 34 sections
  1. PHOENIX CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
  2. MEMBERS PRESENT
  3. MEMBERS ABSENT
  4. OTHERS PRESENT
  5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
  6. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
  7. PUBLICATION AND DIGITAL
  8. MEDIA AWARD - CITI BOCES
  9. PUBLIC RELATIONS
  10. TRANSPORTATION
  11. PRESENTATION - DEB GERACE
  12. FOOD SERVICE PRESENTATION -
  13. PATTY BARBER
  14. APPROVAL OF BOARD OF
  15. EDUCATION MINUTES
  16. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL
  17. INSTRUCTIONAL SUBSTITUTE APPOINTMENT
  18. NON-INSTRUCTIONAL RESIGNATION
  19. NON-INSTRUCTIONAL APPOINTMENT
  20. EFFECTIVE/PROBATION
  21. NON-INSTRUCTIONAL SUBSTITUTE APPOINTMENT
  22. VOLUNTEER APPOINTMENT
  23. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE
  24. COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL
  25. JCB FIELD TRIPS/STUDENT
  26. STUDENT TRAVEL - EJD JAZZ
  27. BUILDING USE - JCB
  28. ARCHITECT - ENTER INTO
  29. AGREEMENT WITH
  30. REPORT AUGUST 2025
  31. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS FOR
  32. BOARD CONCERNS FOR
  33. EXECUTIVE SESSION
  34. OPEN SESSION/ADJOURNMENT

PHOENIX CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

District Office Conference Room September 22, 2025 7:00 p.m. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

President, Rob Southworth, called the regular BOE Meeting to Order at 7:00 p.m. Jim Brooker Jim Graham Wayne Halstead Kate Kehn Cliff Pelton Keith Renfrew Earl Rudy Jeff Slater Rob Southworth Aurora Rose - Student Board Member

MEMBERS PRESENT

None

MEMBERS ABSENT

Superintendent Chris Byrne Administrative Team

OTHERS PRESENT

Rob Southworth, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

None

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS

Superintendent Christopher Byrne applauded the admin team on the work being done with the strategic plan. Jessica and Nicole have done an incredible job planning our leadership meetings, where we meet each week or two to make sure we are implementing it across buildings. Start by applauding the admin team on implementing the strategic plan Jessica and Nicole have done an incredible job planning our leadership meetings. The team has been meeting every week or two to implement across buildings. The Marching band competed in New Hartford in the Small School 1 Division, which is more competitive. They placed 3rd in New Hartford with a score of 79.4. This coming weekend they will be competing in Oswego. JCB’s Homecoming is this weekend. The parade is at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, with the football game at 6:00 p.m. and the homecoming dance to follow. Mr. Byrne welcomed CiTi BOCES District Superintendent Jeremy Belfield, stating that he has done an excellent job getting around to all the Districts and doing a fantastic job with communication since he’s been in the position, although they’ve known each other for a long time.

Superintendent Christopher Byrne welcomed Naomi Himes Public Relations Coordinator and Sarah McCrobie Assistant Information Coordinator from CiTi BOCES, Chris stated they have done an incredible job for us and many other districts. Naomi & Sarah presented Technology Director Mike Foley with a Nationwide Award from The National School Public Relations Association. It is quite a prestigious award, and not easy to get. Naomi explained that there were three categories: Honorable Mention, Award of Merit and Award of Excellence. She shared that the District was one of the first to jump on The ParentSquare Smart Site which is a new tool; it was not an easy endeavor, it was one of those collaborative highlights with the District and CiTi. The Public Relations team at CiTi submitted the site to The National School Public Relations Association, a Nationwide contest competing against schools from all over the country. Phoenix was chosen for the Honorable Mention Award; which is a great honor.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

PUBLICATION AND DIGITAL

MEDIA AWARD - CITI BOCES

PUBLIC RELATIONS

DEPARTMENT

Supervisor of Transportation Deb Gerace gave a summary on Transportation from the Summer of 2024. There was a total of 25,891 miles driven for Special Ed 12,799 miles, Firebird Academy 5,609 , JCB/EJD Summer School 4,652, , PTCH (OCC& CiTi) 1,325 and Charters (SpecialEd, CiTi and Sports 1,506 miles. JCB Special Programs - Citi-CTE & PTech & CCC 43,421, New Visions 8,261, and PTECH (OCC) 6:00 p.m. pick up; 2,746 for a total of 54,448 miles. JCB Special Programs, CiTi-CTE & PTECH & CCC 43,421, New Visions 8,281 and PTECH (OCC) 6:00 p.m. 2,746 for a total of 54,448 miles. District Wide Charters In District 183, Out of District 8,969, Sports 19,798 and Music 8,553 for a total of 451 Charters. Parochia 8,077 miles and total of 514,871 miles for the 2024-2025 School Year; District Wide Special Ed (Out of District) 9 students; Parochial 5 students; 3:20 Late RUn -4buses and 5:15 Sports Runs - 3 buses; 3 Wheelchair Buses - 1 in 2018, 1 in 2025 and 1 in 2026. Other vehicles (1) 2017 Van (2) 2021 Vans (2) 2025 Vans (1) 2013 Equipment Bus, (1) 2021 Nissan Rogue & (1) 2015 Ford F250.

Food Service Supervisor Patty Barber shared an update for the Food Service Department. Cornell Cooperative Extension helping farmers & schools with local foods with more NY foods each year. Good News - Participation is increasing with CEP. In April 2025, Breakfast was at 39% and lunch 72% which was up from 2% in both categories for 2024. Patty made some equipment purchases due to failing equipment, she continued to fill staffing positions and substitutes while training employees with the 10 hour Food Safety course. All employees who trained were awarded certificates. Meals are free to all but Patty shared that they are still asking families to submit 1 income application per family. She asked the BOE, when communicating with those in the district, to remind them to submit the applications. They are using LINQConnect - make payments, monitor accounts, set up notifications & more. She shared that students can bring their lunch and still select 3 of the 5 components from the Cafe’ for free. (1 must be a fruit or veggie).

TRANSPORTATION

PRESENTATION - DEB GERACE

FOOD SERVICE PRESENTATION -

PATTY BARBER

It was moved by Jeffrey Slater, seconded by Jim Graham, that the BOE Minutes from September 8, 2025 be approved as submitted.

Motion Carried

9 Ayes 0 Nays 0 Abstentions

APPROVAL OF BOARD OF

EDUCATION MINUTES

It was moved by Cliff Pelton, seconded by Keith Renfrew, that based on the Superintendent’s recommendations the entire Personnel Appointments and Resignations be accepted.

Motion Carried

9 Ayes 0 Nays 0 Abstentions

APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL

INSTRUCTIONAL SUBSTITUTE APPOINTMENT

NAME

POSITION

BUILDING

SALARY

EFFECTIVE

Arionna Sigona Sub. Teacher & Sub Teaching Assistant MAM $140/day $120/day

9/23/2025

Erica Collins Sub. Teacher & Sub.

Teaching Assistant ALL $140/day $120/day

9/23/2025

Ciera Murphy Sub. Teacher JCB $140/day

9/23/2025

NON-INSTRUCTIONAL RESIGNATION

NAME

POSITION

BUILDING

EFFECTIVE

Phyllis Black Teacher Aide MAM

9/18/2025

NON-INSTRUCTIONAL APPOINTMENT

NAME

POSITION

BUILDING

SALARY

EFFECTIVE/PROBATION

Ralph Blair II- replacing Robert Halstead Jr.

Custodian EJD $29.60/hr/

9/23/2025-11/22/2025

Nicole Goodrow-replacing Lisa Lovins Teacher Aide JCB $16.22/hr.

9/23/2025

NON-INSTRUCTIONAL SUBSTITUTE APPOINTMENT

NAME

POSITION

BUILDING

SALARY

EFFECTIVE

Joshua Wagner Sub. Custodial Worker ALL $15.50/hr.

9/23/2025

Cody Lawson Sub. Custodial Worker ALL $15.50/hr.

9/23/2025

Michaelia Burdo Sub. Food Service Helper ALL $15.50/hr.

9/23/2025

Sarah Edwards Sub. Food Service Helper ALL $15.50/hr.

9/23/2025

Krista Delano Sub. Food Service Helper ALL $15.50/hr.

9/23/2025

Kelsey Fullgraf Sub. Food Service Helper ALL $15.50/hr.

9/29/2025

Amber Graham Sub. Food Service Helper ALL $15.50/hr.

9/23/2025

Arnault Faublas Sub. Bus Driver Transportation $23.00/hr.

9/23/2025

VOLUNTEER APPOINTMENT

NAME

POSITION

SALARY

EFFECTIVE

Hunter Nerber Clay Target League Volunteer

9/23/2025

Daniel Fadden Clay Target League Volunteer

9/23/2025

Patricia Colwell Marching Band, Drama Club/Musicals Volunteer

9/23/2025

Shannon Pritting Marchind Band, Drama Club/Musicals Volunteer

9/23/2025

It was moved by Wayne Halstead, seconded by Kate Kehn, that the Recommendations from the Committee on Preschool Special Education and Special Education be approved as submitted.

Motion Carried

9 Ayes 0 Nays 0 Abstentions

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE

COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL

EDUCATION

It was moved by Jim Brooker, seconded by Jeffrey Slater, that the attached field trips/travel proposals for JCB High School for the 2025-2026 school year be approved as submitted.

Motion Carried

9 Ayes 0 Nays 0Abstentions

JCB FIELD TRIPS/STUDENT

TRAVEL

It was moved by Cliff Pelton, seconded by Jim Brooker, that the attached field trip proposal for the EJD Jazz Band to travel to Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida from March 11th - March 16th, 2026 be approved as submitted.

Motion Carried

9 Ayes 0 Nays 0Abstentions

STUDENT TRAVEL - EJD JAZZ

BAND

It was moved by Keith Renfrew seconded by Jim Graham, that Division Ave H.S. from Levittown, NY be approved to use the grass stadium, concessions, at JCB High School.

Motion Carried

9 Ayes 0 Nays 0Abstentions

BUILDING USE - JCB

It was moved by Jim Graham, seconded by Cliff Pelton, that the Superintendent be authorized to enter into agreement with King and King to provide the District with architectural services for the approved 2024 capital project.

Motion Tabled

9 Ayes 0 Nays 0 Abstentions

ARCHITECT - ENTER INTO

AGREEMENT WITH

(From Prior Tabled Resolution 9/8/25) It was moved by Jim Graham, seconded by Jeffrey Slater, that the attached Treasurer’s reports for the period ending August 31, 2025 are accepted.

Motion Carried

9 Ayes 0 Nays 0 Abstentions

ACCEPTANCE OF TREASURER’S

REPORT AUGUST 2025

None

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS FOR

DISCUSSION

None

BOARD CONCERNS FOR

DISCUSSION

It was moved by Jim Graham, seconded by Wayne Halstead, to move into Executive Session at 8:25 p.m. for particular personnel.

Motion Carried

9 Ayes 0 Nays 0 Abstentions

It was moved by Jim Graham, seconded by Wayne Halsatead, to move into open session and adjourn the meeting at 9: 00 p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

OPEN SESSION/ADJOURNMENT

Respectfully Submitted,

Maureen Haney District Clerk