At its February 23 meeting, the North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education heard a board member's concern that it had not been given sufficient information about a possible return of BOCES SKATE students to the district, previewed the 2026-27 budget process, and approved a non-resident health and welfare rate increase, non-resident tuition rates, and several personnel and tenure actions.
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 February 23, 2026, at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building, 5355 West Taft Road, North Syracuse, NY 13212
Michael Mirizio, President
Dr. Terry Ward Superintendent (absent) Paul Farfaglia, Vice President
Christopher R. Leahey, Ed.D, Deputy Superintendent Amanda Sugrue
Donald F.X. Keegan, Associate Superintendent for Business Services Robert Crabtree
Michael Baroody, Ed.D., Asst. Superintendent for Human Resources Cheryl McDonald
Jilian K. Herrera, District Clerk Mark Thorne
Matthew Hermann Joshua Ludden Michael Shusda Brigid Gill Student Ex-Officio
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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:
Dr. James Casey, a graduate of the North Syracuse Central School District, Richard Reale, a graduate of the North Syracuse Central School District, Raymond Patsos, a graduate of the North Syracuse Central School District, Mary Craven, a retiree of the North Syracuse Central School District, and Kathleen Harte, a retiree of the North Syracuse Central School District.
Michael Mirizio made the following Proclamation:
Throughout our school buildings, Athletic Trainers have an impact on the District’s student DAY athletes. They have accepted this exceptional responsibility with commitment, dedication and love.
The Athletic Trainers of the North Syracuse Central School District are professionals of the highest caliber, and have dedicated themselves to the ideals of their profession. Students, parents, administrators and community members recognize, applaud and appreciate their efforts to ensure safety of student athletes.
To honor the Athletic Trainers of the North Syracuse Central School District and their accomplishments and, 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 March 2, 2026 as Athletic Trainer Appreciation Day to be celebrated with appropriate educational activities.
Ms. McDonald made the motion to declare March 2, 2026 as Athletic Trainer Appreciation Day to be celebrated with appropriate educational activities.
Mr. Ludden seconded the motion and it was carried with nine yes votes. Regular Meeting of the Board of Education 382
Mr. Daryle Redmond, Director of Fine Arts and Co-Curricular Programs, presented on the ART COMP.
Scholastic Art Competition's Gold Key Awards to NSCSD students. A slide show of artwork will
be played highlighting the excellence of our students.
Mr. Donald F.X. Keegan, Associate Superintendent for Business Services, will present the initial budget draft for school year 2026-2027.
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No Comments
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Mr. Thorne stated that the next Policy committee meeting will be held on March 10th.
Mr. Crabtree stated the next Legislative Committee meeting will be held next Tuesday, March 4th,
at 5 pm. He stated we will have the Director of the CNYSBA presenting as well as the Governor’s
representative coming to speak about the budget. He said early signs are that we will have an on time budget this year.
Mr. Crabtree stated that everyone should have received the agenda before break and to let him
know if they have any questions. Mr. Crabtree mentioned there is a new Veterinary Science Program being offered at BOCES that he is very excited about.
SUPERINTENDENT No Comments
Mr. Ludden stated, as Mr. Crabtree previously indicated, that the District expects to have an on-
time budget. While there are reasons to be optimistic, he noted that there is still work to be done. Mr. Farfaglia reported that he attended Lobby Day on February 11 and met with Assemblyman Stirpe, staff from Senator Ryan’s office, and dropped off materials for Assembly member Pam Hunter. He stated that Dr. Ward and Mr. Keegan have already met with the District’s legislators regarding the tax cap formula and that any long-term solution would likely need to be addressed through a bill.
Mr. Crabtree asked questions regarding the potential for some BOCES SKATE students to return to NSCSD and indicated that he felt there had not been sufficient information communicated to the Board on this matter.
Ms. Gill stated that next week is Choose to Include Week at C-NS to promote district-wide
inclusion. She also mentioned that the cheer team won sectionals and wished a Happy Ramadan to those who celebrate.
Mr. Thorne made the motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board REGULAR Education on February 9, 2026. Ms. Sugrue seconded the motion and it was carried with eight
yes votes, one board member abstaining.
February 9, 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 2/5, 2/9, 2/10, 2/11 and 2/12.
& PRE SCHOOL and made the motion to approve the classification and placement of Pre School DISABL disabled students who are certified as eligible to receive special education STUDENTS District Committee on Preschool Special Education for 02/09/2026 and 02/12/2026.
Mr. Ludden seconded the motion and it was carried with nine yes votes.
Mr. Ludden made the motion to acknowledge the business office reports as presented. Regular Meeting of the Board of Education 392
Mr. Thorne seconded the motion and it was carried with nine yes votes.
Ms. Sugrue made the motion to declare the non-marketable surplus equipment listed as non- marketable and be disposed of; and marketable surplus, which has some value to others, be disposed through an online auction conducted by Auctions International.
Mr. Shusda seconded the motion and it was carried with nine yes votes.
The district is obligated annually to establish non-resident tuition rates. Although the district does not accept non-resident students on a tuition basis from parents, these rates are used to bill other school districts whose students are placed here through the Family Court, The Department of Social Services, etc.
Mr. Ludden made the motion to approve the foregoing resolution.
Resolved, that the Board of Education approve the estimated 2025-2026 non-resident tuition rates as follows:
Full Day – K-6 $ 7,726 Full Day – 7-12 $ 10,944 Special Education – K-6 $ 50,295 Special Education – 7-12 $ 53,513
Mr. Thorne seconded the motion and it was carried with nine yes votes.
Section 912 of the Education Law provides for districts to bill for the cost of health and welfare
services provided to non-resident students attending private/parochial schools located in our
district.
The State Education Department has established a formula for computing the health and welfare services costs. In accordance with that formula, the North Syracuse Central School per pupil charge for 2025-2026 is $1,047,66. This is a $172.56 increase from the 2024-2025 rate.
Mr. Farfaglia made the motion to approve the establishment of the 2025-2026 Health and Welfare Services rate at $1,047.66 per pupil. Mr. Ludden seconded the motion and it was carried with nine yes votes.
Mr. Mirizio acknowledged the retirement of Susan Commisso, Food Service Helper I, who retires with 18.6 years of service.
Ms. Sugrue made the motion to approve Personnel A as submitted below.
Mr. Thorne seconded the motion.
PERSONNEL A – INSTRUCTIONAL
NAME: Brown, Nicholas ASSIGNMENT: Substitute Special Education Teacher
LOCATION: Roxboro Road Middle School
Childhood Education Gr. 1-6, dated 1/6/26
$74,393 EFFECTIVE: 1/6/26-2/27/26 ACTION: Hired as a long-term substitute Special Education Teacher; replaces Regular Meeting of the Board of Education 393
Jessica Drake.
NAME: Carter Grosso, Erika ASSIGNMENT: Teacher on Special Assignment – ENL Coordinator
LOCATION: District wide
English to Speakers of Other Lang., dated 2/1/06
7/1/26 ACTION: Hired as a Teacher on Special Assignment – ENL Coordinator; replaces Ariana Rosario.
NAME Holliday, Naomi ASSIGNMENT: Substitute Special Education Teacher
LOCATION: Roxboro Road Middle School
Students w/ Disab. (All Grades), dated 9/29/23
$78,510 EFFECTIVE: 3/23/26 ACTION: Hired as a long-term substitute Special Education Teacher; replaces Alexis Earle.
After School ELA & Math Tutoring – 2/23/26 – 5/8/26 - $40/hour: Gillette Road Middle School Bertone, Lee Kennedy, Kim Bullock, Morgan Knapp, Shannon Capella, Stacy McAvoy, Michelle Christopher, Janice Nettuno-Salucci, Desiree Gleason, Eileen Osier, Tara Hubbard, Lisa Sterling, Sarah Wehinger, Kelly Roxboro Road Middle School Cavino, Deborah Peterson, Carissa Farsaci, Rachel Pike, Mackenzie Furchak, Jennifer Nelson, Trisha ATHLETICS – WINTER 2025-26:
Volunteers Dewitt, Joseph Boys Modified Wrestling -0- Substitute Teachers (certified) - $155/day:
Palmer, Jessica Substitute Teachers (uncertified) - $145/day:
Watrous, Ryan
REQUESTS FOR LEAVE:
NAME: Alakki, Rachael ASSIGNMENT: Music Teacher
LOCATION: Smith Road Elementary School
2/25/26 ACTION: Requests a child rearing leave.
NAME: Drake, Jessica ASSIGNMENT: Special Education Teacher
LOCATION: Roxboro Road Middle School
2/14/26-3/1/26 ACTION: Requests a child rearing leave.
NAME: Henson, Kristen ASSIGNMENT: Teaching Assistant
LOCATION: Cicero Elementary School
2/23/26 ACTION: Requests a child rearing leave.
NAME: Mills, Makenzie ASSIGNMENT: Teaching Assistant
LOCATION: Roxboro Road Middle School
2/23/26 ACTION: Requests a child bearing leave.
RETURNS FROM LEAVE:
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NAME: Carmichel, Julianna ASSIGNMENT: Library Media Specialist
LOCATION: Karl W. Saile Bear Road Elementary School
9/1/26 ACTION: Returns from a child rearing leave.
NAME: Collard, Dawn ASSIGNMENT: Special Education Teacher
LOCATION: North Syracuse Early Education Program
2/9/26 ACTION: Returns from a family medical leave.
NAME: Serviss, Keanna ASSIGNMENT: Mathematics Teacher
LOCATION: Cicero-North Syracuse High School
2/23/26 ACTION: Returns from a medical leave. RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
NAME: Blasi, Alisha ASSIGNMENT: Elementary Teacher
LOCATION: Roxboro Road Middle School
3/15/26 ACTION: Resigns position.
NAME: Carter Grosso, Erika ASSIGNMENT: ENL Teacher
LOCATION: Cicero-North Syracuse High School
6/30/26 ACTION: Resigns position to accept a Teacher on Special Assignment – ENL Coordinator position.
NAME: Sprague, Lindsy ASSIGNMENT: Special Education Teacher
LOCATION: North Syracuse Junior High School
3/25/26 ACTION: Resigns position.
NAME: Stukus, Susan ASSGINMENT: Substitute Music Teacher
LOCATION: Smith Road Elementary School
2/27/26 ACTION: Resigns her long-term substitute Music Teacher position.
The motion was carried was carried with nine yes votes.
Mr. Ludden made the motion to acknowledge personnel B as presented. Ms. McDonald seconded the motion.
PERSONNEL B – SUPPORT STAFF NAME: Emigholz, Matthew ASSIGNMENT: Substitute School Bus Driver SALARY: $28.00 per hour EFFECTIVE: 2/24/26
NAME: Parody, Heather ASSIGNMENT: Substitute Custodial Helper SALARY: $23.00 per hour EFFECTIVE: 2/24/26
NAME: Ruiz, JoseFa ASSIGNMENT: Substitute Food Service Helper SALARY: $18.00 per hour EFFECTIVE: 2/24/26
NAME: Berry, Angela ASSIGNMENT: School Secretary II
LOCATION: Roxboro Road Middle School SALARY: $29.90 per hour EFFECTIVE: 2/24/26 ACTION: Replaces Elizabeth Nelipowitz.
CHANGE IN LOCATION, CLASSIFICATION AND/OR SALARY:
NAME: Duncan, McKayle
Long-term Substitute School Bus Attendant
LOCATION: Transportation Department SALARY: $23.37 per hour EFFECTIVE: 12/16/25 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education 395
ACTION: Completes 30 consecutive days and moves to the contract rate; replaces Anne Marie Parks who is on a leave.
REQUESTS FOR LEAVE:
NAME: Biscardi, Caroline ASSIGMENT: Part-time Occupational Therapist
LOCATION: Cicero-North Syracuse High School/St. Rose Parochial School
3/2/26 ACTION: Requests a child-rearing leave.
NAME: Doyle, Jeffrey ASSIGMENT: Custodial Worker I
LOCATION: Gillette Road Middle School
2/2/26 ACTION: Requests a medical leave.
RETURN FROM LEAVE:
NAME: Schuler, Sarah ASSIGMENT: Custodian II
LOCATION: Smith Road Elementary School
2/26/26 ACTION: Returns from a medical leave.
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
NAME: Commisso, Susan ASSIGMENT: Food Service Helper I
LOCATION: Roxboro Road Middle School
2/27/26 ACTION: Retires with 18.6 years of service.
NAME: Papp, Gregory ASSIGMENT: Custodial Worker I
LOCATION: North Syracuse Junior High School
2/13/26 ACTION: Resigns position.
The motion was carried with nine yes votes.
Mr. Shusda made the motion to acknowledge personnel C as presented. Mr. Ludden seconded the motion.
PERSONNEL C – ADMINISTRATIVE NAME: Pellegrino, Heather ASSIGNMENT: Middle School Principal
LOCATION: Roxboro Road Middle School
School Building Leader – Dated, 2/15/22
Middle School Principal TENURE EFFECTIVE: 5/16/26
The motion was carried with nine yes votes.
Mr. Mirizio made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Thorne seconded the motion and it was carried with nine yes votes at 6:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jilian Herrera District Clerk
BOARD APPROVAL ________________________