001clerk. >> President Barnett, Vice President Rayford here, >> Commissioner Cordano >> here, Commissioner Hhabib >> here, Commissioner Bellford, >> Commissioner Root >> here. >> Um, I'd like a motion to excuse Commissioner Barnett, please. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> Any opposed? I ask for a motion to enter into executive session to discuss matters leading to the discipline of particular persons pending litigation in Anadaga County Supreme Court index number 678-201 and the employment history of particular persons. So moved >> second. >> Is there any discussion? All in favor I. >> Any opposed? Second session. regularly scheduled monthly business meeting. I do apologize for the delay. Um I appreciate your time. So uh we'll start with uh Mr. Chief Penko, can you lead us in the pledge of allegiance? Everybody try
002not to make eye contact with me when I'm looking for somebody. Algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Ready. At this time, we'd like to recognize the staff and student achievement. Take this one. So, I got to come back. >> Watch out. >> Our students, Can you hear me? Okay. Our students are working hard and we're so proud of their success. The highest achieving PEK students were recently invited to a student recognition lunchon at OCC celebrating their outstanding academic achievements. Students were recognized for earning placement on the provos list GPA of 3.4 to 3.69 and the president's list GPA of 3.7 to 4.0. Congratulations to ITCP Tech students Brian Fam, Brian Batista,
003Rohan Sububa, Long Monoa, Hamsa Amir, and Zayn Zubriski. Hener PE Tech students Blessen Ashley, Virginia Kamana, Milan Felda, Michael Deng, and Cassandra Brinley, and PSLA at Fowler PEK students Nessiah Ingram, Azariah Yema Jr., and Fan Tierney. If those students are here, please come up for a photograph. Do you want to join us for the picture? >> I feel like I'm following you though. Oh, are we here? Oh, sorry. Sorry. Last school year, Henear Arts students partnered with local artists and Nottingham graduate Jal Campbell and the Community Folk Art Center to create a mural centered around this theme. The students along with teacher Lorie Lizio recently traveled to the Anadaga County Family Courthouse where their mural was unveiled. It will now be a permanent fixture in Judge Julie Cecil's courtroom. Congratulations to the students James Bond,
004Jantha Bradshaw, Maline Holtzberry, Jada Quantrio Bal, Yam Abad, Maya Corente, and Amua and Henegher alumni Dillo Abdi, Lost Bose, Denzel Hall Jr., McKenzie Hoden, Amamira Armstead, Sahita Bay, Amy Farm, and Ai Smith. Thank you. 24 Central New York students, including four from the Syracuse City School District, have earned the right to compete in the final oral round of the Syracuse.com spelling bee. These students won their school spelling bees and competed in the online regional round to qualify for the final local round and will next compete in the regional spelling bee at SU on March 21st. Congratulations to Sabua Atayva from Syracuse Latin, Osama Ashka Zedan from Salem Hyde, Emma James from Ed Smith, and Henry Sanders from Syracuse Latin. The winner of the regional competition will represent Central New York in the Scripps National Spelling
005Bee in Washington DC in May. Since I can remember stand up and stay Oh, hey, guys. >> There we go. One, two, three. Congratulations. The section 3 girls wrestling tournament was held on February 15th at SRC Arena. The Syracuse City girls wrestling team coached by James Chaplan and Matt Karen showed resilience throughout the day and all earned podium finishes. Congratulations to Trinity Aldridge, Kinaga Cummings, and Salom Doeri, all from Hener. Trinity plays fourth, Salom plays five, and Kina plays sixth IN THEIR RESPECTIVE WEIGHT. All right. amilies that >> Sorry, she said that. At the recent wrestling sectionals, Ryan Brown Jr., ITC senior, and Jeffrey Petty's Jr., Nodingham senior, both qualified for the New York State Wrestling Tournament in Albany. Ryan became the first wrestler in SCSD history to become a threetime section champ, and it
006is his third time heading to states. This year he was the number one seed at 190 pounds. Jeffrey became the only the second wrestler in SCSD history to obtain a wild card to states and this was the first time in over 25 years that SCSD sent more than one wrestler to the New York State tournament. We are so proud of Ryan and Jeff for their hard work and performances. Okay. >> One, two, three. One more. One, two, three. Congratulations. I would like to ask the following social workers to come up for a proclamation. Patrick Auts and Karen Kustano from PSLA. Yanetta Matthysse from STEM at Blahett. Alexis Jackson from Brighton Academy. And Kimberly Schneider from PreK. Office of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools Proclamation. Whereas social workers empower individuals, strengthen communities,
007and support our nation by helping all people reach their full potential regardless of background or circumstance. And whereas social workers are dedicated professionals who play a vital role in promoting the academic, social, and emotional well-being of our students. And whereas social workers collaborate effectively with teachers, administrators, families, and community partners to foster a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for every student. And whereas social workers provide essential expertise to help students and staff navigate sensitive situations and serve as a steady source of support during times of crisis. And whereas National School Social Work Week offers an opportunity an important opportunity to recognize and celebrate their exceptional contributions and unwavering commitment to our schools and communities. Now therefore, the board of education and Pamela J. ODM, superintendent of the Syracuse City School District, do hereby proclaim
008March 1st to March 7th as school social work week. This concludes our announcement. >> Daisy, I'll be flash blind. >> Good to see you. >> That would be my seat. >> I'm all set. I'm glad you got it. And >> thanks, CL. You're the best. >> Um I won't subt. Okay, we'll move forward with our business meeting. I ask for a motion to approve minutes as submitted. >> So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? I ask for a motion to accept the monthly financial report as submitted. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Roll call vote. President Barnett, >> yes. >> Vice President Raford, >> yes. >> Commissioner Cordano, >> yes. >> Commissioner Hhabib, >> yes. >> Commissioner Rifford, >> yes. >> Commissioner Root, >> yes.
009>> Motion passes. >> We will now hear from those visitors who desire to address the board and who filled out the appropriate card available near the entrance door to the boardroom. Speakers are asked to limit their comments to no more than 3 minutes. Board policy 1510 does not permit in public session discussing involving individual district personnel or students. Persons wishing to discuss matters involving individual district personnel or students should present their comments and/or concerns to the superintendent during regular business hours. All speakers are to conduct themselves in a civil manner. Obscene language, threats of violence, statements advocating racial, religious, and other forms of prejudice will not be tolerated. If you wish to speak and have not already submitted your blue card, please do so now as additional cards will not be accepted once the first
010speaker has concluded. The board is here to listen to all comments. However, we will not engage in dialogue with speakers during this time. Our first speaker, President Nicole Castell. Good afternoon, President Barnett, Superintendent ODM, commissioners. I have concerns tonight with the board voting to approve $715,000 to be paid to Ed Elements to roll out Elevate 315. There is no reason to rush through this vote after one reading. New York State still has not publicly released the standings of any schools and they are pushing the release date down the road every time they are asked. Our members have put forth many questions, suggestions, and concerns. And no, all of our members are not on board. I've stood here for many years now advocating for their voices to be heard and for them to be a part
011of these decisions that they are expected to implement. But here I am again asking you to do this. The board continues to pour money into consultants and outside vendors and has inflated the number of administrators hired for district-wide positions over the last three years. This while telling FCA that we need to rightsize the number of educators in our district. With the amount of district admins that are knowledgeable and advocates of PL, why are they not overseeing the implementation of this? Why are we paying Ed elements $715,000 in additional monies to roll this out? I would think an expenditure this large would warrant more conversation. There will be additional expenses. Stipens have to be brought into the conversation. Numbers have been discussed, but nothing's been negotiated. There's also going to be the added expense of adopting
012and implementing I Ready, the training, and the time spent learning a new tool. We've asked for many years to cut back on initiatives and narrow the focus to help alleviate wood turnover and burnout. Yet, here we are again adding another initiative to the pile that our buildings already have. $715,000 could go a long way in implementing more community schools that will provide wraparound services for our students and families. Community schools provide coordinated services that have oversight and accountability, which is what our students need right now. I would like to remind the board that when we talked about $100,000 to pay TAS a toileting stipen, you were not willing to approve that amount of money. This needs to be better thought out. We need to have more conversations. Thank you for listening. >> Thank you. Our
013next speaker, Mr. Don Little. Good evening. Um, because it's Women's History Month, I thought today's focus would be on women. Um, most notably, uh, Huntington, the only building in the district named after a woman, was the first woman to head a uh to be on a school board in New York State, and the founder of the uh, Visiting Nurses Association. She's an incredibly interesting person to take a look at and I encourage you if you've never looked at the information that's in the lobby area of Huntington that the next time you're in the school check it out. But then I started thinking about my own experience and when I went to Nottingham in 19 December 1st 1994 when I was appointed to the school um shortly thereafter Nottingham got it rece got its first female
014principal a woman named Joanne Radic who was a fizzed teacher and then later vice a principal at uh Lincoln and then principal at Nottingham and she was just an outstanding woman. She was a fantastic leader. She was respectful and courteous to everyone and is still to this day my most embarrassing moment ever at Nottingham High School. It was in the morning and I happened to want to go say hello to her. So I was standing in the lobby. She says, "Excuse me." She nudges me to the side and grabs the two kids who are fighting behind me. I was so mortified at that moment. Uh but she was an incredible lady. God rest her soul. And um I encourage people to start especially in months like that that are dealing with various aspects of representation
015that we take a special moment to recognize our own who have done fantastic things for the Syracuse City School District. And so I didn't I don't want to bemoone the point. I know you folks have a lot on your plate and I know you're very busy. I hope you can go visit the Mryle team tomorrow 3:30 library. We'll see you there. You know who I'm pointing to, Dr. Nolan. Uh, folks, have a wonderful evening. >> Thank you. Skip page. Uh, so next we have our president's report. I will just say that we that last weekend. Um, we attended lobbying weekend in Albany. myself, the superintendent and chief where we got to meet with the legislators and advocated for additional funding for some of the initiatives that are coming uh amongst the big five. So, we
016had a lot of objective object objectives and we kind of we got through it. We met with all of our legislators. Our meetings went really well. We got follow-up meetings with with Magnarelli. He was he was very nice to us. Um so, that was that was a win. Um I got to attend some of the athletic events over the weekend. Our students are doing some amazing things. Our student athletes um they're they're playing their hearts out. So, we'll look forward to those recognitions as we have them coming up next month. Um and pretty much I'll defer to the superintendent's report because I think hers it's pretty lengthy. >> I already asked the board the board if I can have 10 minutes. So, I don't know if you want to put it up. >> You said
017you wanted 10 minutes. Seven. >> 10 minutes is crazy. Oh boy, speak fast. You know, I am continuing to commit to getting the good news out about the Syracuse City School District. And so, I want to tell a story and I am telling it in her words from Mrs. Crystal uh Aaylor, who is a teacher at Franklin Middle School. I'm sorry, Franklin Elementary School. Dear Superintendent Odum, I wanted to share a moment from my classroom that reminded me why this work matters so much. Growth looks different for every student and recently I experienced a powerful reminder that progress often comes in small but meaningful steps. The other day one of my students clear as day said Mrs. Aaylor then said another student's name and answered a question. For a student who has been mostly nonverbal
018this year, it was a teardropping moment. The growth continued today during recess when he looked at me, pointed and said, "Come on the slide with me." His words were quiet and a little mumbled, but his intention was clear. This is the same student who recently wrote mom on the whiteboard after copying a paraprofessional. Step by step, moment by moment, the progress is real. I am incredibly proud of our enhanced CT classroom. My students have the biggest hearts and their love for learning constantly amazes me. This past week, I watched several students from go from I can't to I got it. Watching them read nonsense words and apply the phonics skills we've been practicing has been incredible to witness. Each day we also practice daily affirmations together. My students proudly say, "I am kind. I am
019smart. I can do hard things. I am loved. I am enough. It takes time and practice for children to believe in themselves. But we are seeing that belief that belief grow every day. Just this past Thursday, I watched an enhanced CT student and a general education student turn and talk to each other during a lesson. They were excitedly discussing their favorite breakfast foods. The sense of belonging and curiosity they showed toward each other was a powerful moment of inclusion and connection. Moments like these remind me that progress does not always come in big leaps. Sometimes it shows up in small words, brave attempts, and quiet victories. My littles at Franklin are the best, and every day I'm thankful to learn from them, too. We are a family. Sincerely, Mrs. Aaylor. We too would like to
020recognize while March is women's month. We want to always say congratulations and we have some great women leaders in our district and we appreciate them. We had so many wonderful events for Black History Month last week. Um last month uh we had a big celebration at PSLA. I was invited to so many events at schools, uh, Brighton Academy, um, Syracuse Latin, many schools had wonderful black history events and thank you for the invitations. Congratulations to our champs, the Nottingham boys basketball team, section three champions. And I also want to say they will be playing the state tournament on Saturday at 5:00 p. them in the Hut at Hudson Valley. Also, congratulations to our Nottingham girls and ITC basketball team, boys basketball teams as well. They competed really hard over the weekend. Although they came up
021short, they did an amazing job. I also would like to say kudos to our recognized wrestlers that we have tonight, ITC senior Ryan Brown and Nottingham SER Jeff Pettis. They were just here being recognized, but they went a little further in the competition. So, I just wanted to bring that up as well. Our track stars, kudos to the indoor track athletes who competed in Staten Island this past weekend. A big congratulations to the Nottingham girls indoor track 4x200 meter relay team who finished third in the state championships and third in the federation championships. They will compete this weekend in the national championships. Went to the Ed Foundation breakfast. We have amazing staff in this district. Four of our staff members were recognized. Jessica Dyer, Kathy Vu, Mosha Faircloth, and Terry Fenori won education awards at
022the Ed Foundation breakfast this past weekend. Our musical season is here. So, this weekend, let's go to the place. Syracuse Latin will be starting on Thursday, uh doing uh the Lion King. Friday and Saturday, Corkran, Nottingham, and Hener will all be having plays. Please, let's go out and support our a um students that are actors in the plays and also stage crew that are putting on these performances. Natasha Alfred visited us yesterday at Nottingham High School. I'd like to give a shout out to Mr. Little because she had a whole portion in her book that talked about Mr. little pushing her to go to Harvard and she did and look at her now. Her book is American. Okay, it's a good read. So, if you get an opportunity, make sure you pick that up. And
023lastly, I think I uh a little less than 10 minutes. I just want to say >> congratulations. Our kids competed and had a robotics competition at Le Moy College. They brought fourth and fifth graders. They were able to compete in the robotics competition. And sixth through eighth graders were able to compete in the robotics compet competition. About 130 students competing. 10 of our schools competing in the competition and did an outstanding job. This is the news that we should be reporting. We have great news and great stories in the Syracuse City School District. Let's continue to get those out. Thank you, Superintendent. >> Amen. >> All right. Are there any commissioners that wish to bring anything up for discussion at this time? >> Uh I got something uh I had our first code of conduct
024meeting last uh last week. Uh no major changes. Uh a couple little language changes. We are looking to kind of put out a a simple a simplified poster or card or form uh for teachers, parents uh and the students themselves. So, we're going to start working on that. There was a survey that went out and uh basically uh the the concerns are uh consistency uh with the code of conduct across the Carlson district. Uh and that really was kind of over and over and over again with consistency. So, I think the board should know that. I think we need to work to make sure that all the all the schools are uh are are abiding by the code but really no major changes with the code itself stage. >> Okay. >> Last Monday was Read
025Across America Day and uh I was uh fortunate enough to go read in a couple classrooms and if you guys get the if you have the opportunity to do it, I highly recommend it. It's really really fun. I also had the opportunity on um the 9th at Nottingham High School. I went to the um JSCB. Oh, thank God I got it right. Um because they had a hearing or of community type um program going on to talk about the next renovations, the phase three um renovations. Um, and it was really great because I was there because number one, I am a parent of a son of a son that graduated from Nottingham and number two, the first phase, especially as a science teacher in science classes, there were some issues um with construction and I
026wanted to bring that to the floor. So um I was I actually asked them to please make sure that they include teachers in these type of renovations because things are decisions are made that do not are not conducive for learning in your classroom and then there were some students I said don't forget the students and there were some students there which was great and they spoke up about that and they felt like they said no we really you should listen to the teachers excuse me when it comes to the classroom. So, I was really excited about that. And I plan on going to Webster tomorrow because my first my oldest and my youngest middle child started at Webster back with Maxine Williams. So, I'm going to go there to that meeting because it's very informative
027and it'll be great to see the building because I haven't been in there for a long long long time. >> Yes. >> Um, I attended some events, some sporting events. I watched Hinegar basketball game. I watched Noddingham. I watched a little bit of um I watched Teneer girls, boys. Um so the week was busy with lots of sports. Um I kept track kept in contact as it related to the um track and field team at uh indoors. Um and I just want to say that our student athletes continue to do amazing things. They had um great attitudes even after very tough losses and they were able to you know still keep their head up and I asked them to continue to keep pushing because we know that there is always next year and we prepare
028and we continue to push and we will get there again. So just want to say that. So just be encouraged. Um I attended the ITC basketball game on Saturday and even though our our team didn't bring home the win, they played hard. They played with heart. They played with Spirit and all of our teams that played this weekend and throughout the season should be commended for their great efforts. Um, I'm also looking forward to attending three High School Musicals this weekend and I'll be reporting next month on how fabulous they were. >> All right. So, we'll move forward. Um, you can introduce the agenda items. Consent agenda. >> That's so excited. I might Thank you. I need to have it right there. Apologize. >> Great. I would like to introduce and recommend the resolution titled
029approval of 2627 proposed general fund operating budget. Agenda >> consent agenda 9.1. Sorry. President President Barnett, commissioners, I'd like to recommend approval of the resolutions in items 9.1 through 9.11 as a consent agenda. >> Can I ask for a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? I would like to introduce and recommend the resolution titled approval of 2026 proposed general fund operating budget. >> Ask for a motion. >> So much >> second. >> Any discussion? >> I would like to say thank you to superintendent chiefenko and uh all of the finance staff. I know it is a monumental effort to put together our budget. Um, and also that I look forward to what the legisl legislators decide to do in the end. This is a tough year
030for everyone across the state and I hope that they take our concerns and our advocacy seriously. >> Okay. As for a motion, >> you already have that. >> Oh, sorry. Uh, all in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? I would like to introduce and recommend the resolution title contracts and consultancies for approval office of teaching and learning. >> Ask for a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> I have a couple things. So I like to say um first I uh I want to thank Superintendent Odum for uh getting back to me and the board with answers to uh the questions and concerns that I that I had about Elevate 315. Uh that being said, I I still do have some uh some concerns as moving forward with this. I do feel
031that we're sort of rushing through a major uh uh uh curriculum drive here. And I want to be clear that I'm I'm not I'm not really I'm not against personalized learning. In fact, I would argue that our teachers every day in every classroom personalize their instruction uh build, you know, to meet the needs of the students and and and that's what teachers do. Um, but I I I got to follow my my gut tells me I I just don't I'm not ready to vote uh approve on approval of this. Um I I'm always a little concerned about outside agencies, especially given our budgetary uh uh concerns moving forward. I still think that we have a lot in this district to uh teach and to uh help with the uh help the teachers individually and as
032group. Uh, and also kind of reflecting what was said earlier, there's there's still a lot of teachers that are they're they have a lot of concerns and their concerns haven't been addressed. And I I I believe we could slow down on this. Um, again, I I I not against the program. I just think at this time I'm not ready to support or to vote in favor of it. Um, I I don't like that it denies certain teachers the ability to participate because of their certification. Um, I also worry in studies that I've read that it can lead to more lat screen time uh as we try to do individual and I know that's that that's at the curriculum level. Um, and and so I I'm I'm not against I'm I'm not going to vote for
033this because I just think it's been in my opinion it's just it's we're rushing it and I'd like to give more time to get all the teachers behind it and really have the teachers buy into it because to me that's what makes it successful. uh program. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? >> Nay. >> I would like to introduce and recommend the resolution titled submission of submission of grant proposals. >> Ask for a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? I would like to introduce and recommend the resolution titled appeal of discipline imposed of on student. >> I ask for a motion to table moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> I abstain. >> Any
034abstain? I would like to introduce and recommend the resolution titled settlement agreement for a motion. >> Second. >> I don't know who got that one. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> I'd like to ask for a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? >> Thank you. This meeting is a journ.