Wendy Werner
CherryRoad Media
The Syracuse Board of Education met Monday, April 21, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. taking action on a number of items that included accepting the resignations of teachers and approving the hiring of others; administrative reports; and making the decision to purchase property bordering the high school.
The resignations of Garrett Reese, Alexis Pavlik and Joe Pavlik were accepted. The board approved the hiring of Mickala Sjulin, High School English; Darian Carney, 7th Grade Math and Science; Jason Drake, High School Business and Sophia Chavanu, Middle School and High School Vocal Music for the 2025-2026 school year pending acquiring certification.
New staff previously hired include Gracen Sommerer, Industrial Technology (Student teaching in Fall; Tim Issacs as cooperating teacher); Clint Little, High School Math; Brock Hoque, High School Business; Sam Heitz – Elementary Music; and Jason Drake – High School Business.
Reassigned Staff Positions are as follows Justine Conradi, Interventionist; Dennis Tomka, 6th Grade; Julie Beach, 6th Grade; Andrea Werner, 3rd Grade; Addie Wynn, 2nd Grade; Julie Brockman, Middle School English.
Classified wages were also approved with classified employees receiving a 3.5% increase and bus drivers receiving a 4% increase.
By unanimous vote, the board approved the purchase of 114 South 30th Road, Syracuse not to exceed $75,000 and authorized the Board President to negotiate and execute any documents to effectuate the purchase of such property. Superintendent David Kraus said, “We see this as a potential opportunity to support future growth of our school.”
In the Superintendent’s report, David Kraus set the next Strategic Planning Meeting for May 7th. He gave an update on the budget, staffing and recent conference he attended in St. Louis. He will be attending a Superintendent Group Luncheon with Senators on May 2nd
Seventh and Eighth graders who participated in Silent Heroes and National History Day gave presentations to the board. Seventh graders Lilliana Houghton and Will Lessmann discussed their Silent Heros research projects. Ryder Brammier, Marcus Ensor, Aubrey Higgins & June Mead discussed their National History Day projects. Middle School Principal Leslie McIntosh presented MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Reading, Math and Language data comparing fall and winter scores for 4th-8th graders. She also presented Behavior Data for quarters one, two and three that tracked Late Work Slips by Grade, Academic Detentions for Late Work, Think Sheets by Grade, Students with Device Violations by Grade, Tardies, and Behavior Detentions by Grade. As cited in McIntosh’s presentation, the data led to collaborative conversations using data to celebrate and focus on improvement, increased systems implementation across grade-levels, homeroom data reviews with 8th graders, 8th grade goal setting and self-reflection, homeroom data review with 7th graders, and individual academic goal setting.
The board approved the purchase of two copiers from Capital Business Systems, Inc. totaling $21,877. One copier will be for the elementary school and the other one for the high school. The units currently at the elementary and high school will be traded in. The board also approved the purchase of up to 275 Chromebooks. Mr. Gary Stearley, Director of Technology, was present to answer questions.
Two summer facility projects were approved. A bid in the amount of $17,536.50 from Staack Furniture was approved for the re-carpeting of the stage and hallway in the high school gym. A bid from NL Driveway Maintenance in the amount of $23,370 was approved to mill and pave the drive lane in the high school east lot and crackseal and sealcoat the east lot.
