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Students and volunteers lauded for food pantry; public commenters press board on staffing and hiring concerns
Summary
Students presented a long‑running food‑pantry project and thanked volunteers and a $1,000 donor; public commenters raised staffing shortages, four security resignations, pay‑scale concerns and an allegation about an applicant with pending NY Supreme Court actions.
Students and volunteers used the Utica City School District board meeting Tuesday to celebrate a student‑run food pantry and to spotlight community support — while public commenters raised staffing and hiring concerns that drew board attention.
Several students described how the pantry operates and the project’s continuity from kindergarten through middle school. One student said the pantry teaches “how important it is to care for one another,” and thanked a donor who contributed $1,000 to sustain the effort. Volunteer Robin Sax, representing Mohawk Valley Community College, said she donated the $1,000 stipend she received for volunteer service back to the pantry to keep the program running.
In public comment, Howard Potter told the board he had reviewed the meeting packet and asked whether trustees were aware an applicant the district is considering has “two active NY Supreme Court actions still open and ongoing,” and asked whether the district could do more to retain security staff after noting four security resignations and summer coverage risks. Potter also raised questions about pay scales for new hires and volunteer‑coach support and urged the board to convene a code‑of‑conduct review before approving changes.
Union representatives spoke during the public comment period. Carla Bennett, vice president of elementary education for the UTA, announced the UTA awarded Proctor Senior Ruth Cayette a scholarship worth $1,000 per year for four years and reminded trustees the district’s collective bargaining agreement with the UTA expires June 30, 2026. Christina Sutter, SEIU TA chair, welcomed Dr. Davis as acting superintendent and asked the board to work with unions over the summer on staffing shortages, retention and training programs.
The board noted the comments and moved on to the evening’s reports and agenda business. Trustees also heard the student representative Heather Conception’s final report; Heather said she will attend Georgetown University to study government and thanked board members for the opportunity to serve. The meeting proceeded to a series of motions, approval of minutes, and an executive session to discuss legal matters and employment histories.
Next steps: Board members asked administration to follow up on personnel‑and‑security staffing levels and to provide written details on any personnel items that were raised during public comment.
