The North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education voted twice, each by eight yes votes, to amend Superintendent Terry Ward's decisions in two separate parental appeals reviewed in executive session, and it approved Michael Baroody's move to Deputy Superintendent to replace the resigning Christopher Leahey.
Typeset from the official record — motions and recorded votes are detected automatically. The official copy governs.
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education held on April 6, 2026, at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building, 5355 West Taft Road, North Syracuse, NY 13212
Michael Mirizio, President
Dr. Terry Ward Superintendent Paul Farfaglia, Vice President
Christopher R. Leahey, Ed.D, Deputy Superintendent Amanda Sugrue
Donald F.X. Keegan, Associate Superintendent for Business Services Mark Thorne
Michael Baroody, Ed.D., Asst. Superintendent for Human Resources Cheryl McDonald
Jilian K. Herrera, District Clerk Joshua Ludden Matthew Hermann Robert Crabtree Brigid Gill Student Ex-Officio
Michael Shusda
15 visitors
Mr. Mirizio called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Board President Michael Mirizio led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Mirizio asked for a Moment of Silence for the following:
Nancy Jenkinson, a graduate of the North Syracuse Central School District, and Catherine Alexander, a graduate of the North Syracuse Central School District.
Michael Mirizio made the following Proclamation:
Throughout history, Office Personnel has had an impact on the districts’ students and community. They work for the well-being, welfare and future of our children. This awesome responsibility is accepted with commitment, dedication, and even love. Because of the complexity and diversity of their role, they must be flexible, resourceful, positive, and patient.
The Office Personnel of the North Syracuse Central School District are professionals of the highest caliber, who have dedicated themselves to the ideals of their profession. Students, parents, administrators and community members recognize, applaud and appreciate their efforts to ensure students receive a quality education.
To honor the Office Personnel of the North Syracuse Central School District and their accomplishments and efforts on behalf of our community's most valuable resource, our children, I, Michael Mirizio, President of the Board of Education of the North Syracuse Central School District, on behalf of the Board, express our deepest gratitude hereby declare April 22, 2026 as Office Personnel Appreciation Day, to be celebrated with appropriate educational activities.
Mr. Farfaglia made the motion to declare April 22, 2026 as Office Personnel Appreciation Day in the North Syracuse Central School District to be celebrated with appropriate educational activities.
Ms. Sugrue seconded the motion and it was carried with eight yes votes. Regular Meeting of the Board of Education 458
STEAM & MICRON Nickolas Scholz, Director of STEM, and Jason Clark, Director of Technology, provided an update on STEAM and Micron initiatives.
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No Comments
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There were no committee reports.
SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Ward provided a testing update as reported on Syracuse.com. He stated that ELA performance
at Lakeshore Road Elementary School increased by 23 percentage points. In addition, he noted that the district’s other elementary schools also showed increases, and that five elementary schools are now above the state average.
Dr. Ward also spoke about the MICRON event that took place last week and thanked Jason Clark for his efforts in coordinating it. He acknowledged Dr. Leahey’ s resignation and stated that he will be greatly missed.
He then commented on Dr. Michael Baroody assuming the role of Deputy Superintendent, noting that the district is fortunate to have him and that he has already been a strong addition to the district.
Mr. Farfaglia stated that he distributed flyers for the upcoming Dollars for Scholars golf
tournament. He requested that the Board sponsor a hole, as has been done in previous years.
STUDENT BOE There were no student board member comments.
Mr. Thorne made the motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board REGULAR Education on March 23, 2026. Mr. Farfaglia seconded the motion and it was carried with seven
yes votes, with one board member abstaining.
March 23, 2026
CLASSIFICATION Mr. Farfaglia made the motion to approve the classification and school placement of & PLACEMENT disabled students who are certified as eligible to receive special education by the District OF DISABL Committee on Special Education for 3/2, 3/3, 3/4, 3/5, 3/6, 3/9, 3/10, 3/11, 3/12, 3/17, 3/19, 3/23,3/24, 3/25 and 3/26/2026
STUDENTS and made the motion to approve the classification and placement of Pre School & PRE SCHOOL DISABL disabled students who are certified as eligible to receive special education STUDENTS District Committee on Preschool Special Education for 3/19, 3/23, 3/24, 3/25 and 3/26/2026.
Ms. Sugrue seconded the motion and it was carried with eight yes votes.
Mr. Thorne made the motion to approve the foregoing resolution.
WHEREAS the North Syracuse Central School District, in reviewing staffing needs pertaining
to the 2025-2026 adopted budget, has determined for student support needs, it is necessary to create a certain position, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
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The following position is hereby created effective April 7, 2026: 1.0 FTE Teaching Assistant at CNS
Mr. Ludden seconded the motion and it was carried with eight yes votes.
Ms. Sugrue made the motion to acknowledge and approve the 2026-2027 payroll
schedule. Ms. McDonald seconded the motion and it was carried with eight yes votes.
Mr. Mirizio acknowledged the retirements of Kevin Ferris, School Bus Driver, who retires with 20 years of service and Thomas Page, School Bus Driver, who retires with 20 years of service. He thanked them and wished them well.
Mr. Crabtree made the motion to approve Personnel A as submitted below.
Mr. Thorne seconded the motion.
PERSONNEL A – INSTRUCTIONAL
NAME: Downs, John ASSIGNMENT: Substitute Elementary Teacher
LOCATION: Gillette Road Middle School
Nursery, Kind. & Grades 1-6, dated 9/1/94
$92,672 EFFECTIVE: 4/6/26 ACTION: Hired as a long-term substitute Elementary Teacher; replaces Nicole Hill.
ATHLETICS – Winter 2026-27:
Wheeler, Mike Boys Varsity Basketball Head Coach $13,225 Rising Rox Stars Summer Program – 7/13/26 – 8/6/26: Roxboro Road Elementary School Burry, Micki Substitute OST Instructor $45/hr.
Falinski, Barb Nurse $45/hr.
Hansen, Kathleen Substitute Nurse $45/hr.
Capria, Teri Substitute Teaching Assistant $30/hr. DeGennaro, Alexis Substitute OST Instructor $45/hr. Frisina, Carrie OST Instructor $45/hr.
Hess, Amanda Substitute Teaching Assistant $30/hr. Substitute OST Instructor $45/hr.
Jones, Rebecca Certified Teacher (PE/coaching) $45/hr. Lonergan, Carolyn Teaching Assistant $30/hr.
Paratore, Maria Certified Teacher (PE/coaching) $45/hr. Pflanz, Scott Teaching Assistant $30/hr.
Tatusko, Luke Substitute OST Instructor $45/hr.
Clark, Kimberly Substitute Teaching Assistant $30/hr. Roxboro Road Middle School Burry, Micki Sub OST Instructor $45/hr.
Falinski, Barb Nurse $45/hr.
Hansen, Kathleen Substitute Nurse $45/hr.
Hess, Amanda Substitute Teaching Assistant $30/hr. Substitute OST Instructor $45/hr.
Card, Shannon OST Instructor $45/hr.
LaVere, Heidi Substitute Teaching Assistant $30/hr. Ludwig, Laurinda Teaching Assistant $30/hr.
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Matyko, Kimberly Certified Teacher (PE/coaching) $45/hr. McDermott, Rachel Certified Teacher (PE/coaching) $45/hr. Rose, Jennifer Substitute Certified Teacher $45/hr. Tatusko, Luke Substitute OST Instructor $45/hr.
Clark, Kimberly Substitute Teaching Assistant $30/hr. Substitute Teaching Assistants - $17.80/hour:
Sposato, Jenna
REQUESTS FOR LEAVE:
NAME: Adkins, Rachel ASSIGNMENT: ADAPEP Counselor
LOCATION: .6 Roxboro Road Elementary School/.4 Smith Road Elementary School
9/1/26-6/30/27 ACTION: Requests a personal leave.
NAME: Agley, Jennifer ASSIGNMENT: Elementary Teacher
LOCATION: Roxboro Road Middle School
3/27/26 ACTION: Requests a child bearing leave.
NAME: Burrows-Maum, Bridget ASSIGNMENT: Elementary Teacher
LOCATION: Roxboro Road Middle School
4/1/26 ACTION: Requests a child rearing leave.
NAME: Iannolo, Paige ASSIGNMENT: Elementary Teacher
LOCATION: Allen Road Elementary School
4/6/26 ACTION: Requests a child bearing leave.
NAME: Lindsley, Nicole ASSIGNMENT: Science Teacher
LOCATION: Cicero-North Syracuse High School
4/6/26 ACTION: Requests a medical leave.
NAME: Pirro, Marianne ASSIGNMENT: Special Education Teacher
LOCATION: North Syracuse Junior High School
4/6/26 ACTION: Requests a medical leave.
RETURNS FROM LEAVE:
NAME: Pomietlasz, Carey ASSIGNMENT: School Psychologist
LOCATION: Gillette Road Middle School
4/15/26 ACTION: Returns from a child rearing leave.
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
NAME: Procopio, Marisa ASSIGNMENT: Substitute Elementary Teacher
LOCATION: Gillette Road Middle School
3/27/26 ACTION: Resigns long-term substitute teacher position and returns to substitute status and pay.
AMENDMENT TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES OF MARCH 9, 2026: NAME: Metz, Andrew ASSINMENT: Substitute Elementary Teacher
LOCATION: Gillette Road Middle School
4/6/26 ACTION: Effective date of the long-term substitute position amended from 4/9/26 to 4/6/26.
AMENDMENT TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES OF MARCH 23, 2026: NAME: Tubolino, Marie ASSIGNMENT: Teaching Assistant
LOCATION: Lakeshore Road Elementary School
6/30/26 ACTION: Amend retirement date from 9/1/26 to 6/30/26.
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The motion was carried was carried with eight yes votes.
Mr. Thorne made the motion to acknowledge personnel B as presented. Ms. McDonald seconded the motion.
PERSONNEL B – SUPPORT STAFF
NAME: Bates, Ella ASSIGNMENT: Catering Worker
LOCATION: Food Service SALARY: $21.77 per hour EFFECTIVE: 3/31/26 ACTION: Works at catering events.
NAME: Blanton, Jordan ASSIGNMENT: Custodial Worker I
LOCATION: Roxboro Road Middle School SALARY: $26.74 per hour EFFECTIVE: 4/7/26 ACTION: Replaces Brian Tortorelli.
NAME: Delconte, Rebecca ASSIGNMENT: Food Service Helper I
LOCATION: Allen Road Elementary School SALARY: $19.37 per hour EFFECTIVE: 4/7/26 ACTION: Replaces Rose King-Collard.
NAME: Gelewski, Dena ASSIGNMENT: School Monitor
LOCATION: Roxboro Road Middle School SALARY: $26.21 per hour EFFECTIVE: 4/6/26 ACTION: Replaces Sierra Topor.
NAME: Hansen, Kathleen ASSIGNMENT: Substitute School Nurse
LOCATION: Gillette Road Middle School
$65,919.50 EFFECTIVE: 4/7/26 ACTION: Hired as a long-term substitute School Nurse; replaces Danielle Parody.
NAME: McNeil, Todd ASSIGNMENT: Substitute School Bus Driver SALARY: $28.00 per hour EFFECTIVE: 4/7/26
NAME: Parody, Heather ASSIGNMENT: Custodial Worker I
LOCATION: North Syracuse Junior High School SALARY: $26.74 per hour EFFECTIVE: 4/7/26 ACTION: Replaces Gregory Papp.
NAME: Silvia, Alexander ASSIGNMENT: Substitute Physical Therapist
LOCATION: North Syracuse Early Education Program
$87,840 EFFECTIVE: 4/13/26 ACTION: Hired as a long-term substitute Physical Therapist; replaces Amanda WallKyle.
NAME: Sposato, Jenna ASSIGNMENT: Substitute Teacher Aide SALARY: $16.00 per hour EFFECTIVE: 3/26/26 NAME: Wilkins, Jr., John ASSIGNMENT: Substitute School Bus Driver SALARY: $28.00 per hour EFFECTIVE: 4/7/26
CHANGE IN LOCATION, CLASSIFICATION AND/OR SALARY: NAME: Dotson, Sonia
Long-term Substitute School Bus Attendant
LOCATION: Transportation Department Regular Meeting of the Board of Education 464
SALARY: $23.37 per hour EFFECTIVE: 2/4/26 ACTION: Completes 30 consecutive days and moves to the contract rate; replaces Kristine Gersbacher who is on a leave.
RETURNS FROM LEAVE:
NAME: Eppler, Jennifer ASSIGNMENT: School Bus Driver
LOCATION: Transportation Department
4/6/26 ACTION: Returns from a medical leave.
NAME: Mace, Gary ASSIGNMENT: School Bus Driver
LOCATION: Transportation Department
4/13/26 ACTION: Returns from a medical leave.
REQUESTS FOR LEAVE:
NAME: Hill Jr., James ASSIGNMENT: Maintenance Mechanic
LOCATION: Maintenance and Operations Department
3/5/26 ACTION: Requests a medical leave.
NAME: Massey, Krista ASSIGNMENT: School Bus Attendant
LOCATION: Transportation Department
4/6/26 ACTION: Requests a medical leave.
NAME: Parody, Danielle ASSIGNMENT: School Nurse
LOCATION: Gillette Road Middle School
4/7/26 ACTION: Requests a medical leave.
NAME: Wall-Kyle, Amanda ASSIGNMENT: Physical Therapist
LOCATION: North Syracuse Early Education Program
4/6/26 ACTION: Requests a medical leave.
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
NAME: Bartlett, Gary ASSIGNMENT: Substitute School Bus Driver
LOCATION: Transportation Department
4/10/26 ACTION: Long-term substitute School Bus Driver position ends; returns to substitute status and pay.
NAME: Despaigne, Leudis ASSIGNMENT: Substitute School Bus Attendant
LOCATION: Transportation Department
3/16/26 ACTION: Position rescinded.
NAME: Ferris, Kevin ASSIGNMENT: School Bus Driver
LOCATION: Transportation Department
7/1/26 ACTION: Retires with 20 years of service.
NAME: Obit, Lewis ASSIGNMENT: Substitute School Bus Driver
LOCATION: Transportation Department
3/27/26 ACTION: Long-term substitute School Bus Driver position ends; returns to substitute status and pay.
NAME: Page, Thomas ASSIGNMENT: School Bus Driver
LOCATION: Transportation Department
6/30/26 ACTION: Retires with 20 years of service.
NAME: Phelps, Cody ASSIGNMENT: Custodial Worker I
LOCATION: North Syracuse Junior High School
4/14/26 ACTION: Resigns position. Regular Meeting of the Board of Education 465
AMENDMENT TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES OF MARCH 23, 2026: NAME: Nasby, Kimberly ASSIGMENT: School Nurse
LOCATION: Allen Road Elementary School/Karl W. Saile Bear Road Elementary School
7/1/26 ACTION: Amend date of excess from Gillette Road Middle School/Roxboro Road Middle School to Allen Road Elementary School/Karl W. Saile Bear Road Elementary School from 9/1/26 to 7/1/26.
The motion was carried with eight yes votes.
Mr. Ludden made the motion to acknowledge personnel C as presented. Ms. Sugrue seconded the motion.
PERSONNEL C – ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS:
NAME: Baroody, Michael ASSIGNMENT: Deputy Superintendent
LOCATION: Administrative Office Building PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 7/1/26 – 6/30/29
School District Leader, dated 8/15/15
$183,859 EFFECTIVE: 7/1/26 ACTION: Hired to replace Christopher Leahey.
NAME: Magley, Miranda ASSIGNMENT: Associate Principal
LOCATION: North Syracuse Junior High School PROBATIONARY PERIOD: TBD
School Building Leader Internship, dated 6/19/25
$97,108.42 EFFECTIVE: 7/1/26 ACTION: Hired to replace Charles Yonko.
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
NAME: Baroody, Michael ASSIGMENT: Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
LOCATION: Administrative Office Building
6/30/26 ACTION: Resigns position to take the Deputy Superintendent position.
NAME: Leahey, Christopher ASSIGMENT: Deputy Superintendent
LOCATION: Administrative Office Building
6/30/26 ACTION: Resigns position.
The motion was carried with eight yes votes.
Mr. Mirizio made the motion to move into Executive session for the purpose of reviewing two parental
appeal with action to follow and one personnel matter with no action to follow. Mr. Farfaglia seconded the motion and it was carried with eight yes votes.
Mr. Ludden made the motion to reconvene into open session. Ms. Sugrue seconded the motion and it
was carried with eight yes votes.
Mr. Mirizio made the motion to amend the Superintendent’s decision. Ms. McDonald seconded the
motion and it was carried with eight yes votes.
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Mr. Farfaglia made the motion to return to Executive session to review the second parental appeal. Mr.
Thorne seconded the motion and it was carried with eight yes votes.
Mr. Mirizio made the motion to reconvene into open session. Mr. Ludden seconded the motion and it
was carried with eight yes votes.
Mr. Mirizio made the motion to amend the Superintendent’s decision. Mr. Farfaglia seconded the
motion and it was carried with eight yes votes.
Mr. Ludden made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Farfaglia seconded the motion and it was carried with seven yes votes at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jilian Herrera District Clerk
BOARD APPROVAL ________________________