The Fayetteville-Manlius Board of Education is the official policy-making body of the school district. It is responsible for carrying out the laws and regulations pertaining to the education of the community’s children. It adopts school district policy, curriculum and programs of study, approves the hiring of all personnel and establishes the conditions of employment.
In addition, the board has the responsibility of maintaining facilities, establishing an annual budget and setting a tax levy. The school board adopts a proposed operating budget each year at a public meeting. Eligible residents then have the opportunity to vote upon the proposal.
The board includes nine school district residents who are elected by voters to three-year terms in an annual election. Terms are staggered so that three members are elected each year. Board members are not compensated for their work.
In addition to the elected members, the board includes a non-voting student member selected each year by the administration to serve a one-year term. The student, who must be a senior at F-M High School, attends all public meetings and is allowed to participate in all public discussions.
2021-22 Board Membership
- Jason Catalino: Term expired June 30, 2023
- Rebecca Cohen: Term expires June 30, 2023
- Kelly Fumarola: Term expires June 30, 2023
- Sharon Lindars: Term expires June 30, 2024
- Marissa Joy Mims: Term expires June 30, 2024
- Elena A. Romano: Term expired June 30, 2022
- Daniel Seidberg: Term expires June 30, 2024
- Mark Vislosky: Term expired June 30, 2022
- Daryll Fitch Wheeler: Term expires June 30, 2025
- Hannah Faigle: Student Board Member
2021-22 Board Goals
Goal 1
The board will develop a district diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy based on the Culturally-Responsive Sustaining Education Framework and launch the CRSE Framework district-wide. The district mission and vision statements will be updated to include diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Throughout the school year, the board worked toward developing a diversity, equity and inclusion policy, which it adopted in May. The policy is based on a New York State School Boards Association draft, and board members customized it to focus on providing opportunities for all Fayetteville-Manlius students. The policy includes direction for the district to establish a diversity, equity and inclusion committee that will provide input to the leadership team concerning the implementation of the policy. The committee will include students, parents and guardians, district and building administrators, teachers, including at least one special education teacher; support services staff, including at least one school psychologist and school counselor; non-instructional staff, board of education and community members. The district will be soliciting membership interest during the 2022-23 school year. The policy also requires the superintendent or his designee(s) to ensure that curriculum and instructional materials reflect the district’s commitment to educational equity and reflect a range of perspectives and experiences.
- During 2021-22, the board worked with the administration on amending the district mission statement following the adoption of the equity policy. A proposal was completed by the end of the school year and put forth during the board’s July 11, 2022, meeting, when it was adopted. The updated mission statement will be reflected in the new strategic planning posters and vision/mission posters that will be displayed in all of the district’s facilities during 2022-23.
Goal 2
The board will examine ways the district can promote a healthy climate when addressing student discipline and how restorative justice practices can be incorporated into policy and our code of conduct. F-M community input and feedback will be included in the discussion.
- Given the mental health impacts the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had on F-M’s students, the board pivoted its 2021-22 focus from restorative justice to social-emotional and mental health. Recognizing the need for additional student support, the board approved the hiring of two additional family-school liaisons (FSL) during the 2022-23 school year to join its existing staff of four. This will result in an FSL starting their day in a school building and then either staying there or traveling throughout the district depending upon where the needs may be that day. The board also approved the creation of a coordinator of mental health training and mental health support for the 2022-23 school year and additional funds to expand the district’s relationship with local mental health care provider Melissa Carman, Ph.D., LMHC. Carman’s practice provides mental, emotional, social and behavioral health services to F-M students in grades K-12.
- Recognizing the need for more communication about the many initiatives and activities underway across the district that focus on mental health, including its community partnerships with the Onondaga County Department of Mental Health and Contact Community Services, the board asked the district to communicate more frequently and clearly with students, families and the community.