Write a commentThe Oswego City School District Board of Education conducted its most recent August meeting at the Education Center Curriculum Center.
The district had two elementary principal positions open and now will have to address the departure of Oswego High School Executive Principal Brian Hartwell (who has accepted a position as superintendent of schools for the Pulaski Central School District).
Larry Schmiegel, a Syracuse administrator, was appointed as the new principal of the Frederick Leighton Elementary School and will officially commence his duties on Sept. 15. Until that time, in-district administrators will be covering the position at FLS.
The search continues and interviews have been conducted for the Minetto Elementary School principal position.
Meanwhile, the high school principal position has been posted and plans are underway to appoint an interim.
Also during the meeting the OCSD Board of Education approved naming Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Curriculum as an Acting Superintendent of Schools when Superintendent Benjamin Halsey is not in the district.
Goewey served as Acting Superintendent of Schools at the meeting as Halsey was out of town for a family health matter.
Personnel matters crowded the agenda.
Several teaching appointments were made including elementary teachers Ashley Malchoff and Michelle Peterson at Kingsford Park Elementary School; speech teacher Ashton LaTulip at Fitzhugh Park; school counselor Katherine O’Leary at Fitzhugh Park and school psychologists Mary Spilman at Minetto and Kathryn Tumia at Frederick Leighton.
Taylor Castaldo was appointed as an elementary teacher at Kingsford Park for the upcoming school year.
Approval was given for the posting of several positions including high school principal, two part-time special education teachers, a temporary teacher aide and an assistant varsity football coach.
Eric Sherman resigned as varsity assistant football coach while David Gaffey was named freshmen basketball head coach. Volunteer coaches approved included Ryan Burger, Eric Sherman and Peter Gierlach for football along with Dan Oostdyk (varsity boys’ soccer), John Oleyourryk (boys’ varsity volleyball) and Casey Lawton (girls’ varsity volleyball).
The creative team for the annual Oswego High School musical was approved and included musical drama director Garrett Heater, musical director Robert Dumas and costumer Jeanette Reyner.
Sandra Scaccia, a teacher aide, was granted a year old leave of absence while probationary appointments included part-time school monitor Rhonda Parker and library clerk Shannon Harter.
Substitute and temporary employees were also approved by the board members.
A brief “Finance” agenda saw approval given for the upgrade and installation of video surveillance equipment by Day Automation at a cost not to exceed $177,000 and a budget transfer to provide the district art department with a supply account.
In the “Instruction” area of the agenda approval was granted to authorize and implement the District Comprehensive Improvement Plan and the School Comprehensive Educational Plans for the upcoming school year.
The next regular meeting of the Oswego City School District Board of Education will be on Tuesday, Aug. 26 in the Education Center terrace level board room with the executive session scheduled for 5 p.m. and the recall to public portion of the meeting expected to be at approximately 6 p.m.
