The Phoenix Central School District Board of Education appointed Dr. Ryan Lanigan as superintendent through June 2029 on an 8-1 vote, and separately adopted a $54,008,437 district budget for the May 19 public vote, according to minutes covering the board's March 23 and April 6 meetings.
Typeset from the official record — motions and recorded votes are detected automatically. The official copy governs.
April 28, 2026 MOTION:
It was moved by , seconded by _, that the Board of Education minutes from March 23, 2026 and April 6, 2026 be approved as submitted.
Ayes Nays Abstentions
District Office Conference Room March 23, 2026 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
Jeffrey Slater
Aurora Rose - Student Board Member
Superintendent Chris Byme Administrative Team
Rob Southworth, led the Pledge of Allegiance. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Superintendent Christopher Byme began with an update regarding the travel SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT delay with the EJD Jazz Band last week in Florida. It was stressful for our students, our parents and our staff that were there. Mr. Byrne shared that he was in frequent contact with the Jazz Band Teacher Mrs. Young from the moment they found out the flights were canceled. As a District, our number one priority was the safety of our students, staff, and chaperones’ and to get them home safely. Mr. Byme took a moment to recognize everyone who went above and beyond starting with EJD band teacher Joanna Young, Art teacher Brandi Finiss, and the (4) chaperones that were on the trip - including Mrs. Megan Chawgo who was in attendance - thank you Mrs. Chawgo. Second, Wendy Dunnigan - Travel agent went above and beyond making a ton of phone calls and keeping us updated with information. When we received information on the cancellation of the bus we secured, Mr. Bryne made some calls and found out that Wendy was substituting at JCB so he let Mr. Bailer know that he was going to have her come over to work in our office for the day. he did an exceptional job calling airlines and charter buses trying to arrange for them to come home safely. Mr. Byme also recognized the Business Office - Mrs. Woody and her tearm who were all hands on deck arranging for payments for buses, for transportation, hotels and certainly food. Finally, Mr. Bye thanked the Transportation Department for going above and beyond arranging the buses and having them at the airport ready to pick them up when they retumed. The Business Office and Mr. Byme made funds to be available for food, additional hotel costs and food for the days they were there. Some of the chaperones will be reimbursed; they just need to fill in their claims forms with receipts attached. Overall, parents were wonderful, most had questions on alternate plans, we worked with the district lawyers to get them forms for students that were asked to be released to other parents etc. This has never happened to us before from my knowledge. Mr. Byrne is mecting with Mrs. Young on Thursday to discuss what went well and what didn’t for any figure ideas. Mr. Byrne greeted the bus at EJD at around 1:00 a.m. welcoming everyone back and he shared it was the best part of his week. Grateful everyone made it home safely.
A parent in the District and trip chaperone, Mrs. Megan Chawgo, thanked Mr. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Byme and the people who helped get them all home. She had questions in general asking how these trips get planned and approved. She shared some concerns regarding the EJD Jazz Band trip to Universal Studios, Orlando, Fl. Tn her opinion, the trip did not go smoothly. She asked the BOE what happens once a trip is submitted and approved, does the itinerary ever get looked at again? BOE member Earl Rudy shared that it has been an ongoing thing for the 20 years he has been the BOE and the itineraries are very detailed from morning to night. Mrs. Chawgo asked what are the qualifications for someone to be the nurse or medical person assigned on the trip. She was concemed with an incident that happened with a student and the lack of medications on hand. Mr. Byme shared that he had heard from another parent as well and has already looked at the BOE policy pertaining to field trips and excursions. He was in contact with Business Administrator Jennifer Woody who works with the policy committee. We are going to contact 1 BOCES and see what kind of drafts they have related to medical related to travel and field trips and see if we can get any clarification, maybe things we should add or look at things differently. Mr. Byme told Mrs. Chawgo that he would be in contact with her to talk about it outside of the meeting.
Business Administrator Jennifer Woody gave an update on the State Budget. Current Budget Status, Expenditures, Programming, Revenue, Next Steps. State Budget Updates - Category changed to Assembly Proposal and Senate Proposal.Current 2026-2027 Budget Expenditures - Liability Insurance, Gas and Electric, Fuel/Diesel, Inflation, Health Insurance, ERS and TRS, Contractual Obligations and Athletic Officials. MAM Class Size Projections - 2025-2026, 2026-2027 Staffing Recommendations (20 Teaching Assistants for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027; JCB English Teacher being replaced, EJD Math Teacher - Attrition/Transfer, MAM TOSA Skills in Motion 2025-2026 (Grant Funded) MAM TOSA Skills in Motion 2026-2027 (General Fund), add MAM Behavioral Specialist 2026-2027. Additional Staffing Recommendations; 2026-2027 (1) Teaching Assistant 2025-2026 - (1) Teaching Assistant 2026-2027, Current 2026-2027 Budget Revenues - Foundation Aid - Currently 2% Save (Hold) Harmless; Expense Based Aid Ratios; Budgeting Current Aid Revenues, Tax Levy; 1% increase ($179,531); Use of fund Balance $550,000; 2025-2026 Budget Amount $534, 568; Use of Reserves $500,000; Reserves were not utilized for 2025-2026 budget. 2026-2027 Tax Levy Limit Calculation; Estimated Tax Impact (1% Increase) schedule and next steps. Budget Timeline: April 1, 2026 - State Budget Due; April 20, 2026 Board of Education Petitions Due; April 28, 2026 - Adoption of District Budget; May 5, 2026 - Public Hearing; May 19, 2026 - Budget Vote.
Tt was moved by Jim Graham, seconded by Jeffrey Slater, that the BOE APPROVAL OF BOARD OF Minutes from March 9, 2026 and March 10, 2026 be approved as submitted. EDUCATION MINUTES
Motion Carried
It was moved by Keith Renfrew, seconded by Cliff Pelton, that based on the APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL Superintendent’s recommendations the entire Personnel Appointments,
Retirements and Resignations be accepted.
Motion Carried
FPRUBAIYSYarL eee res r=
Nichole Taylor | Teaching Assistant MAM 3/18/2026-3/17/2030
|ON- TITU ENT
NAME POSITION BUILDING | SALARY | EFFECTIVE
Cynthia Olensky Substitute Food Service ALL $16/hr. 3/24/2026 Helper
Morgan Frazier Substitute Custodial ALL $16/hr. 3/24/2026 Worker
*Stephen Spaulding | Substitute Custodial ALL $16/hr. 3/24/2026 Worker
*pending fingerprint clearance
Tt was moved by Wayne Halstead, seconded by Jim Graham, that the RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE
Recommendations from the Committee on Preschool Special Education and COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL Special Education be approved as submitted. DUCATION
Motion Carried
Tt was moved by Jeffrey Slater, seconded by Jim Graham, that the attached APPROVAL OF 2026-2027 BOE BOE Meeting Calendar for the 2026-2027 be approved. MEETING DATES
Motion Carried
Tt was moved by Jim Graham,seconded by Kate Kehn, that approval be STUDENT TRAVEL FOR JCB
granted for the Phoenix Robotics Team to travel to St. Louis Missouri for the Vex Robotics World Championship from 4/20/26 - 4/25/26.
Motion Carried
Tt was moved by Jeffrey Slater, seconded by Keith Renfrew, that the policies SECOND READING OF POLICIES #1310, #6410, #6411 & #6412 be read for the second time. #1310, #6410, #6411, #6412
Motion Carried
It was moved by Earl Rudy, seconded by Wayne Halstead, that the Phoenix SUNDAY BUILDING USE
Indoor Percussion Ensemble be approved to use the JCB High School Band & Chorus room, Cafe’ and Gymnasium on Sunday, March 29, 2026 from 7:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. for rehearsal for Championships
Motion Tabled
Tt was moved by Jim Graham, seconded by Keith Renfrew, that the Board of RATIFICATION AND EXTENSION Education and the Administrative & Supervisory Agreement existing OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
2023-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement be extended through the BETWEEN PCSD & 2027-2028 school year and hereby authorize the Superintendent to sign it on ADMINISTRATIVE &
behalf of the District.
Motion Carried THROUGH 2027-2028
Tt was moved byJim Graham, seconded by Earl Rudy, that the Board of
Education and the Phoenix Central School Clerical Associations existing OF THE COLLECTIVE 2023-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement be extended through the BARGAINING AGREEMENT 2027-2028 school year and hereby authorize the Superintendent to sign iton BETWEEN PCSD & PHOENIX behalf of the District. CENTRAL SCHOOL CLERICAL
Motion Carried ASSOCIATION THROUGH
Tt was moved by Jeffrey Slater, seconded by Earl Rudy, that the resolution to APPROVAL OF PROPOSITION TO set forth a proposition on May 19, 2026 to increase the Phoenix Public COLLECT TAXES FOR THE
Library levy by $4,526 for a total amount $170,041 be approved as presented. PHOENIX PUBLIC LIBRARY
Motion Carried
Tt was moved by Jim Brooker, and seconded by Kate Kehn, that the following APPROVAL OF BID AWARD PHASE If
contracts are hereby awarded to the lowest responsible bidder:
Contract Contractor Base Bid Controls Day Automation $1,989,149.76
It was moved by Kate Kehn, seconded by Keith Renfrew, that the Board of AUTHORIZATION TO ESTABLISH Education hereby issues the authorization for the establishment of a Reserve A RESERVE FOR CAPITAL for Capital Projects for the period of ten (10) years not to exceed $10,000,000 | PROJECTS AND BUS PURCHASES as prescribed under General Municipal Law and/or Education Law. Such
reserves will be contingent upon voter approval.
Motion Carried
Tt was moved by , seconded by , that the attached Treasurer’s reports for the period ending January 31, 2026 are accepted.
ACCEPTANCE OF TREASURER’S
Motion Carried
Tt was moved by , seconded by , that the attached Treasurer's reports for the period ending February 28, 2026 are accepted.
ACCEPTANCE OF TREASURER’S
Motion Carried
None BOARD MEMBER REPORTS FOR
None BOARD CONCERNS FOR
Tt was moved by Wayne Halstead, seconded by Cliff Pelton, to move into EXECUTIVE SESSION
Executive Session at 8:17 p.m.
Motion Carried
It was moved by Jeffrey Slater, seconded by Wayne Halstead, to move out of OPEN SESSION open session and Adjoum the meeting at 9:26 p.m.
Motion Carried
It was moved by Jeffrey Slater, seconded by Wayne Halstead, that the meeting be Adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
Motion Carried
Respectfully Submitted,
Maureen Haney District Clerk
District Office Conference Room
April 6, 2025 6:00 p.m.
President, Rob Southworth, called the regular BOE Meeting to Order at 6:00 p.m. Jim Brooker MEMBERS PRESENT Jim Graham Wayne Halstead Cliff Pelton Keith Renfrew Earl Rudy Jeffrey Slater Aurora Rose - Student BOE Member MEMBERS ABSENT Superintendent Chris Byrne OTHERS PRESENT Administrative Team Rob Southworth, led the Pledge of Allegiance. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE None RECOGNITION OF VISITORS A Resolution of the Phoenix Board of Education Appointing Dr. Ryan RESOLUTION OF THE PHOENIX Lanigan as Superintendent of Schools was moved with the BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTING appointment to commence on July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. DR. RYAN LANIGAN AS
Motion Carried
(Earl Rudy)
It was moved by , seconded by , that the Board of Education adopt the ADOPTION OF 2026-2027 PCSD BUDGET 2026-2027 School District Appropriation Budget in the amount of $54,008,437 to be submitted to the voters on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
Motion Carried
It was moved by Jeffrey Slater, seconded by Keith Renfrew, to move EXECUTIVE SESSION into Executive Session at 6:35 p.m.
Motion Carried
It was moved by Jim Graham, seconded by Wayne Halstead, to move OPEN SESSION into Open Session at 7:05 p.m.
Motion Carried
It was moved by Jim Graham, seconded by Wayne Halstead, that the ADJOURNMENT meeting be Adjoumed at 7:06 p.m.
Motion Carried
Respectfully Submitted,
Maureen Haney District Clerk