Aug. 23, 2022 minutes - Herkimer Central School District

The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. at the Herkimer Jr./Sr. High School Library Media Center by President Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

President Crandall explained that the Board of Education welcomes public comment and community input at meetings. However, we caution that we are not authorized to engage in conversations pertaining to individual students, faculty, staff, or administrators. Topics of this nature may only be discussed during executive session and must be coordinated with the Superintendent of Schools prior to a BOE meeting.

Public Comment:

The Board of Education heard no comments from the public.

Approval of the Agenda:

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0.

Board Recognitions:

President Crandall acknowledged the 2022-2023 meeting dates for the Herkimer BOCES Board meetings, and the thank you received from the school district in regards to the graduation awards to the valedictorian and salutatorian given from the Board of Education.

Approval of the Minutes:

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded a motion to formally approve the Board of Education Budget Hearing Meeting minutes from Wednesday, July 27, 2022. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0.

The meeting minutes from the Reorganizational/Regular meeting on July 7, 2022 could not be approved as there were not enough members present to have a quorum (Ms. Fischer was absent from the July 7, 2022 meeting and was unable to vote). It was agreed that those minutes would be included on the September 14, 2022, Board of Education meeting.

Business Reports:

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE accepts receipt of the June Treasurer’s Report, Appropriation Status Report, July General Warrant totaling $1,441405.60, June General Warrant totaling $4,614,007.26, July Capital Warrant totaling $163.00, June Capital Warrant totaling $62,372.23, Federal Warrant totaling $67,002.37, Expendable Trust Warrant, the July and June Exceptions Report , the June HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Treasurer’s Report, 2018 Capital project Change Order Updates, and twelve (12) Budget Transfers under the $5,000 total. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08-23-22)

Budget Transfers Over:

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE approved eleven (11) budget transfers over the $5,000 limit totaling $713,034.14. A discussion followed as Ms. Frasier explained the transfers in detail. All voted in favor; motion carried 4-0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08-23-22)

Tax Warrant Resolution:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE formally authorized the 2022-2023 School Tax Warrant in the amount of $9,797,906.00 All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. (Material filed in the supplemental packet dated 8-23-22).

District-wide and Building Level Safety Plan Resolution:

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby adopts the District-wide and Building Level Safety Plan for the State Education Department.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08-23-22).

2022-2023 BOCES Contract (AS-7):

Ms. Gilbert moved and Ms. Fischer seconded to approve the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board Of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby authorize an Agreement between the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES and the Herkimer Central School District; and

WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to enter into this Agreement and to authorize President Crandall to sign the agreement on behalf of the district.

A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08-23-22).

Disposal of Surplus Items Resolution:

Ms. Fischer moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded to accept the following Board resolution:

“WHEREAS, the Herkimer CSD owns the items listed in Part C (Disposal) which are no longer useful or necessary for the school district’s purpose and are of no value to the Herkimer CSD, as indicated in Mrs. Frasier’s Fixed Asset Inventory Control Forms, and;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , that the Board of Education hereby declares those items to be surplus as they have no further value to the school district and authorizes the Business Office to inform the appropriate personnel to dispose of those items in the best interest of the school district.”

A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor: motion carried 4:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08-23-22).

2022-2023 BOCES Rental of Facilities:

Ms. Fischer moved and Ms. Gilbert seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby agrees to enter into the 2022-2023 BOCES Contract for Rental of Facilities as presented; and ,

THEREFORE, it is the Districts desire for the Board President and the District Clerk to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08-23-22).

Central Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired Agreement:

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, the Herkimer CSD has the need for an independent contractor to perform rehabilitation services set forth herein and enters into such an agreement with Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to enter into this agreement from September 6, 2022 thru June 22, 2023; per terms and conditions of the agreement”.

All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08-23-22).

Speech Language Therapy of Central New York Contract:

Ms. Fischer moved and Mr. Lamanna seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, Herkimer CSD has the need for an independent contractor to perform speech language therapy services set forth herein and enters into such an agreement with Speech-Language Therapy of Central New York, LLC, and

WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to enter into this agreement from September 1, 2022 thru June 30, 2023; per terms and conditions of the agreement.”

A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08-23-22).

Business Office Update:

Ms. Regina Frasier gave an update from the business office, including creating a tax reserve, posting a legal notice for clerk of the works, auditors being in district, setting aside funds in anticipation of BOCES project, federal funds procedural manual, emptying of storage containers, solid waste bid, and year 2 of our 5 year Birnie Bus contract. A discussion followed and Superintendent Carney thanked Ms. Frasier for her presentation.

Superintendent Report:

Superintendent Carney thanked everyone in attendance for rescheduling the board meeting to tonight and mentioned that Ms. Vogt and Ms. Paragi were unable to attend because they had orientation at the elementary school.

She informed the board that she felt staffing was in a good place and after meeting with all administrators, thought that the opening of school was also in great shape. She acknowledged all of the work that administrators put in to their end of year reports and was appreciative of the information that was presented.

The capital project is in a good place and is ready to move forward. The BOCES IMA is at a standstill as they are trying to scale back the project. As more information is received, it will be shared with everyone.

Superintendent Carney expressed interest in Connected Community Schools but was aware of the initial upfront cost and asked if we may want to be included in a grant that may help offset this cost.

New York State released updated COVID-19 guidance for schools and Superintendent Carney advised the Board that the opening of school would not look much different than the end of last school year.

Re-Authorization/Authorization of Substitutes:

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby authorizes the list of substitutes re-approved by Herkimer BOCES for the 2022-2023 school year, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby authorizes the list of newly approved substitutes by Herkimer BOCES for the 2022-2023 school year, for the Superintendent to sign on the Board’s behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08-23-22).

APPR Lead Evaluator/Evaluators Recertification Resolution (Principals):

Ms. Fischer moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded the following Board resolution:

“WHEREAS, that the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education has been provided with evidence that, in accordance with Education Law Section 3012-d, Kathleen A. Carney has completed training which meets the requirements set forth in Part 30-2.9 of the Rules of the Board of Regents, and the terms of the District’s Annual Professional Performance Review Plan for certification as a Lead Evaluator/Evaluator of Principals;

“THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Kathleen A. Carney is hereby re-certified as lead evaluator/evaluator for Principals.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08-23-22).

APPR Lead Evaluator/Evaluators Recertification Resolution (Teachers):

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded the following Board resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education acknowledges that Kathleen A. Carney, Mary Tomaso, Renee Vogt, Cristi Paragi, Zachary Abbe, and Michelle Ploss have completed NYS Education Department Training as lead evaluator/evaluators for teachers trained by Assistant Superintendent of the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES for the purposes of Education Law section 3012-d; and the District’s Annual Professional Performance Review Plan.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Kathleen A. Carney, Mary Tomaso, Renee Vogt, Cristi Paragi, Zachary Abbe, and Michelle Ploss are hereby re-certified/certified as Lead Evaluator/Evaluators for teachers trained for the purposes of Education Law section 3012-d; and the District’s Annual Professional Performance Review Plan [APPR].”

All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08-23-22).

Approval of Rates Amendment:

Ms. Fischer moved and Ms. Gilbert seconded the following Board resolution:

“WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby authorizes the attached amended Approval of Rates – Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitutes, from the Herkimer Central School District reorganizational meeting of July 6, 2022.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08-23-22).

Administrative Reports:

Mr. Abbe and Ms. Tomaso gave an overview of their reports, which were all reviewed by the BOE.

Staffing Recommendations:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE approved the following personnel actions as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0:

Teacher Resignation:

Name: Appley, Daniel
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: August 30, 2022

Staffing Appointments:

NAME: Freeland, Gabriella
TENURE AREA(s): Family and Consumer Science
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: August 31, 2022
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: August 30, 2026
To the extent required by the applicable provisions of Education Law Section 2509, 2573, 3213 and 3014, in order to be granted tenure, the classroom teacher or building principal shall have received composite or overall annual professional performance review ratings pursuant to Education Law 3012-d of either effective or highly effective in at least (3) of the four (4) preceding years. If the classroom teacher or building principal receives an ineffective composite or overall rating in the final year of the probationary period, he or she shall not be eligible for tenure at that time. For purposes of this subdivision, classroom teacher and building principal mean a classroom teacher or building principal as such terms are defined in Sections 30-2.2 and 30-3.2 of the Part.
Effective August 31, 2022
SALARY: Step 8 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

LTA Appointment:

Name: Sementilli, Giovanna
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant (Pending NYS Certification)
Effective Date: August 31, 2022
Salary: $25,250
(Probationary period from August 31, 2022 – August 30, 2026)
Name: Scalise, Jianna
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Effective Date: August 31, 2022
Salary: $25, 250
(Probationary period from August 31, 2022 – August 30, 2026)

Non-Teaching Appointment:

Name: Peterson, Alicia
Position: Typist*
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: August 23, 2022
Salary: $17/hour
*Provisional Appointment pending fingerprint clearance and civil service test

CSE/CPSE Teacher Aide Appointment:

Name: Clough, Barbara
Position: 1:1 Teacher aide at St. Francis de Sales
Effective Date: September 6, 2022 – June 30, 2023
Salary: $15.53/hour

CSE/CPSE Substitute Aide Appointment:

The following are appointed as CSE/CPSE Substitute Aides at St. Francis de Sales School for the 2022-2023 school year as needed, (Salary per NYS minimum wage guidelines):

Bryan, Sharon
DeCarlo, Kathleen
Dillenbeck, Marianne
Huddleston, MaryLou
Smith, Alesha

Substitute Appointment:

Name: Horton, Jamie
Position: Long-Term Substitute
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: August 31, 2022 – June 30, 2023
Salary: $210/day
Name: Pegg, William
Position: Long-Term Substitute
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: August 31, 2022 – June 30, 2023
Salary: $210/day
Name: Saunders, Nancy
Position: Substitute RN
Location: St. Francis de Sales School/Herkimer CSD, as needed
Effective Date: September 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023
Salary: $20/hour

Retired Substitute Appointment:

Name: Clark, Mary Ellen
Position: Registered Nurse
Location: District-wide
Effective Date: September 6, 2022 – June 23, 2023, as needed
Salary: 2017-2018 Active Hourly Rate ($26.45/hour)
Name: Lanza, Kimberly
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023
Salary: 2020-2021 Active Hourly Rate ($18.03)
Name: Mackenzie, Maria
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: September 6, 2022 – June 23, 2023, as needed
Salary: 2019-2020 Active Hourly Rate ($17.87)
Name: Steele, Alan
Position: Teacher
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: September 6, 2022 – June 23, 2023, as needed
Salary: Based on Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitutes

Mentor Appointments for 2022-2023 School Year:

Salary per the HFA contract:

Melissa Elias, Classroom Teacher (Mentor)
Dan Appley, Classroom Teacher (Mentee)