Dec. 13, 2023 minutes

Date: December 13, 2023

Kind of Meeting: Regular

Place: Herkimer Middle-High School District Library

Members Present: Brian Crandall, Michele Gilbert, Diann Fischer, Robert Mihevc (6:04), Scott Petucci, Joseph Lamanna, Aleksander Verenich

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Superintendent Carney, Business Manager Chad Hess, District Clerk Gina McKernan, Zachary Abbe, Maria Lindsay, Nicole Crandall, Renee Vogt, Cristi Paragi, Michelle Ploss, Correne Holmes, Various Staff and Students

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President Crandall called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

President Crandall stated:

“The Board of Education welcomes public comments and community input at our meetings. However, we caution speakers 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 prior to a Board meeting. We ask that the public comments are no more than five minutes.”

Public Comment:

A Herkimer student questioned the status of SRO officers for the district.

Approval of the Agenda:

Mr. Lamanna, and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.

Board Recognition:

The fall student athletes were recognized for their academics and were presented with a certificate along with a pin. Herkimer High School students had artwork on display at the board meeting. Heather McCutcheon was given a plaque by the Board of Education for being the New York State Art Educator of the year.

Approval of the Minutes:

Mr. Petucci moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to formally approve the Board of Education regular meeting minutes from Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Motion carried 7:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-13-23)

Civics Capstone and Landscape Design Class Presentation:

Several Jr/Sr High School students from Ms. Lampert’s and Ms. Baker’s class spoke about their ideas to repair and repurpose Harmon Park. They presented the Board with a slide show and supporting evidence on their overall goal.

Business Reports:

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the BOE accepts receipt of the November Treasurer’s Report, November General Warrant totaling $2,869,959.59, November Exception Report, November HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Treasurer’s Report and Budget Transfer under $5,000. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-13-23)

Contract for Physical Therapy UDO Service:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE does hereby authorize the extension of this agreement with Kayla Lachut for Physical Therapy Services for the Herkimer Central School District, effective July 1, 2023, thru June 30, 2024; and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-13-23)

Change in Re-Organizational Meeting Appointment:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the following change that was previously approved at the July 12, 2023, Reorganizational Meeting: Designation of Appointment: – change Ed Law 2-D Officer from Ryan Orilio to Richard Mathy, effective December 15, 2023”.

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-13-23)

Appointment of Election Workers:

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

Capital Project Vote

Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Junior/Senior High School Media Center

Name, Title, Hours:

• Franca Wandell, Chief Inspector & Chairperson, 12 – 8 p.m.
• Louise Carney, Inspector, 12 – 4 p.m.
• Elena Scalise, Inspector, 12 – 4 p.m.
• Maria Mackenzie, Inspector, 4 – 8 p.m.
• Susan Steele, Inspector, 4 – 8 p.m.
• Gina McKernan, Alternate, 12 – 8 p.m.

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated
2-13-23)

Donation to Elementary School:

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded to accept/approve the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District accepts the following donation of two hundred sixty-seven dollars ($267.00) to the Herkimer Elementary School from Hannaford.

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-13-23)

Disposal of Books:

Ms. Fisher moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded to accept the following Board resolution:

“WHEREAS the Herkimer Central School District owns library books listed which are damaged, and;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares the books to be surplus and authorizes the Business Office to inform the appropriate personnel to dispose of those items in the best interest of the school district.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-13-23)

Utica University Agreement:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, the Herkimer Central School District has the desire to enter into an agreement with Utica University for student internships effective January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026, per terms and conditions of the agreement; and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-13-23)

Superintendent Updates:

• December is a month for concerts, events, and activities. Positive time of the year
• 2024-2025 State Budget
• 2018 Capital Project is coming to an end
• January 9, 2024, Public Hearing for 2024 Capital Project
• Working on Newsletter and information on the website for the capital project
• BOCES Capital Project on track and in budget
• 2024-2025 school calendar is in the works with scenarios for Lunar New Year and Diwali
• Workplace Violence Policy per Governor
• Mayor confirmed that SRO will be staying at Herkimer School District for school year

Administrative Reports:

Ms. Paragi, Ms. Vogt, Mr. Abbe and Ms. Lindsay reports were reviewed with the BOE. Discussions followed.

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE approved the Sub-Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Preschool Special Education program/placement recommendations as presented.

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental filed dated 12/13/23)

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the BOE approved the following personnel actions as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental filed dated 12/13/23).

Teaching Resignation:

Name: Orilio, Ryan
Position: Technology Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: December 15, 2023

Non-Teaching Resignation:

Name: Orilio, Ryan
Position: Senior Microcomputer Specialist
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: December 15, 2023

Non-Teaching Appointment:

Name: LaPorte, Hilary
Position: Typist – 11 month*
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: January 2, 2024
Salary: $17.50/hour
*Provisional Appointment pending civil service test

Maternity Leave Request:

Name: Gravlin, Morgan
Position: Secondary Science
Location: Jr/Sr High School
Effective: On or About April 15, 2024
Anticipated leave approximately 6-8 weeks; pending physician’s release

Name: Smith, Sarah
Position: 6th Grade Social Studies
Location: Jr/Sr High School
Effective: On or About April 22, 2024
Anticipated leave approximately 6-8 weeks; pending physician’s release

Name: Sperling, Kristy
Position: 6th Grade Science
Location: Jr/Sr High School
Effective: On or About April 22, 2024
Anticipated leave approximately 6-8 weeks; pending physician’s release

2023-2024 Extra-Curricular Appointment:

Name: Sommer, Ashley
Appointment: Sr. High Yearbook Technical Advisor
Salary: $2,450 (prorated)

2023-2024 Winter Interscholastic Coaching Appointment*:

Name: Nasypany, Robert
Appointment: Boys Modified Basketball
Salary: $2100

• Based upon a sufficient number of schools participating to merit a season with sufficient student participation to field a team

2023-2024 OPERATIONS BUDGET CALENDAR:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE approved the following calendar. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental filed dated 12/13/23).

Herkimer Central School District 2024-2025 Operations Budget Calendar:

December 2023 – March 2024: Meet with non-instructional supervisors, administrators, directors, and all related departments to discuss request for the 2024-25 budget.

February 2024: Administrators will review instructional budgets with Superintendent and Business Manager in preparation for Opera

March 13, 2024 or April 17, 2024: Superintendent’s Draft Budget presented to BOE during regularly scheduled BOE meetings

March 1, 2024: Tax Levy Limit Calculation due to Comptroller and NYSED

March 08, 2024: Board of Education Candidate Petitions available in the District Office

March 13, 2024: Budget Workshop and Regular meeting
Adoption of any special propositions during Regular School Board Meeting

April 5, 2024: Legal Notice to be submitted to local paper

April 15, 2024: Must indicate time, and place of the School Budget Hearing and Vote

April 29, 2024: Must advertise 4 x’s within 7 weeks with the first legal notice publication occurring before the Annual Budget Vote.

May 13, 2024: Notice should occur in two general circulation newspapers

April 17, 2024: Budget Workshop meeting:

• Adoption of the proposed budget.
• Property tax report card to be submitted to SED.

Deadline for submission is April 29, 2024.

April 22, 2024: Last day to submit petitions for Board of Education Candidates. All petitions must be handed to the District Clerk by 4 p.m.

April 29, 2024: Budget Statement will be available for public review: HES/HHS, District Office, and the Herkimer Basloe Library

April 22 – May 7: Mail Absentee Ballots

May 8, 2024: Official Budget Hearing at 6 p.m.

May 10, 2024: Mail Budget Notice following the Budget Hearing

May 21, 2024: Budget Vote and Board of Education Elections [1-9 pm HHS Media Center]

May 12, 2024: Board of Education formally accepts 2022-2023 vote results

June 4 & June 11: Publish Legal Notice for Budget revote. Must be 14 days before revote.

Revote date is June 18, 2024.

Policy Review

Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:

WHEREAS, it is customary practice of the BOE to have three readings of a policy prior to its adoption; and

WHEREAS, the BOE wishes to adopt the policy recommended by the Policy Committee,

Ø #5010 Workplace Violence Prevention Policy

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby waives the BOE’s customary practice of three readings prior to the adoption of a policy, and adopts the following policy, incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting:

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-13-23)

Future Meeting Updates:

President Crandall reminded the BOE that there is a Public Meeting for the Capital Project on Tuesday, January 9, at the Herkimer High School Library.

On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE entered into Executive Session for the purpose of legal and personnel issues. The Board may take action in public session after the Executive Session ends and the Board returns to public session. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.

Executive Session:

The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:50 pm.

The Board exited Executive Session at 8:35 p.m.

Adjournment:

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, and seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 8:35 p.m. All voted in favor 7:0.

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Gina A. McKernan
District Clerk