Feb. 15, 2023 minutes

Date: Feb. 15, 2023

Place: Herkimer Middle-High School Library Media Center

Members Present: Brian Crandall, Michele Gilbert, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Diann Fischer, and Aleksander Verenich

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Superintendent Kathleen Carney, Charles Mower, Ryan Orilio, Susan Steele, Zach Abbe, Cristi Paragi, Michelle Ploss, Mary Tomaso, and Renee Vogt

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The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. at the Herkimer Middle-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:

Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.

Board Recognitions:

President Crandall acknowledged the elementary and high school student artwork on display.

Approval of the Minutes:

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the Board of Education regular meeting minutes from Wednesday, January 18, 2023. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 02-15-23).

BOCES Budget Presentation:

The Board was introduced to newly elected Herkimer County BOCES Board of Education President, Holly Pullis, who gave a brief introduction of herself and the main goals of the BOCES Board-their Capital Project and finding a replacement for Ms. Sandra Sherwood. Ms. Pullis then introduced District Superintendent, Sandra Sherwood, along with Business Manager, Stephen Coupe, who presented the 2023-2024 Administrative and Capital Budgets. A brief discussion followed (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 02-15-23).

Business Reports:

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert seconded by Mr. Verenich, the BOE accepts receipt of the January Treasurer’s Reports, Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, January General Warrant totaling $2,245,023.82, January Capital Warrant totaling $10,107.50, January Federal Warrant totaling $1650.00, the January Exception Report, January HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Reports, and one (1) budget transfer under the $5,000 total. A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 02-15-23).

Budget Transfers Over:

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE approved two (2) budget transfers over the $5,000 limit totaling $120,121.76. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 02-15-23).

Oswego County BOCES/CiTi Cooperative Purchasing:

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

WHEREAS, The Cooperative Purchasing Service is a plan of a number of public school districts in the Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services Area in New York (known as the Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation [CiTi]), to bid jointly for water testing and sampling services, and

WHEREAS, The Herkimer Central School District (hereinafter the “Participant”) is desirous of participating with Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services/CiTi and other Boards of Cooperative Educational Services and public school districts in the joint bidding of the services mentioned above as authorized by General Municipal Law, Section 119-o, and

WHEREAS, The participant wishes to appoint the Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services/CiTi to advertise for bids, accept bids, tabulate bids and award bids on their behalf; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, The participant hereby appoints Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services/CiTi to represent it in all matters relating above, and designates the Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services/CiTi designated newspaper(s) as the legal publication(s) for all Cooperative Purchasing bid notifications, and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The participant authorizes the Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services/CiTi to represent it in all matters leading up to the entering into a contract for the purchase of the above mentioned services, and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The participant agrees to (1) assume its equitable share of the costs of the Cooperative Bidding; (2) abide by majority decisions of the participating districts; (3) abide by the Award of the Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services/CiTi; (4) and that after the award of the bid it will conduct all negotiations directly with the successful bidder(s).

A discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 2-15-23).

Herkimer County Board of Elections User Agreement:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby accepts the User Agreement between the Herkimer CSD and the Herkimer County Board of Elections regarding the use of two (2) optical scan voting machines and four (4) privacy booths for the annual budget vote and election of board members, and for the Superintendent to sign on the Board’s behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 02-15-23).

Donation to School Resolution:

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

“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby accept receipt of a donation from the Hannaford Community Bag Program in the amount of $105.00, to increase Revenue A2705 and to increase the Appropriation Code A2110 450E by said amount, to be used to support student events held at the Herkimer Elementary School”.

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 02-15-23).

Business Office Update:

Mr. Mower explained that Ms. Mettler has been busy working on the day-to-day tasks in the office, but unfortunately she is only here for another 2 weeks. He has been working on more of our major projects, such as the budget, and he is very pleased with the Governor’s proposal as it looks like a good projection for our district. A discussion followed.

Superintendent Report/Update:

Superintendent Carney welcomed everyone in attendance. She congratulated the indoor girls track team on their league and sectional championships, wished the 2 athletes from the boys and girl’s indoor track teams’ good luck at the state competition and extended congratulations to the girls’ basketball team for being co-league champions this year. Great job by all our athletes. She also acknowledged the artwork on display from our elementary and high school students.

Superintendent Carney gave various updates to the Board, such as the Liberty grant through SUNY Polytechnic, APPR committee meeting, safety presentation by Chief Jory and follow-up survey, building the March superintendent day around safety, Capital Project and pre-bid meeting and performing a deep clean of the building over winter break.

She expressed her gratefulness for Mr. Mower and the knowledge of the budget process that he has brought with him. A discussion followed.

Administrative Reports:

Mr. Abbe, Ms. Vogt, and Ms. Tomaso gave an overview of their reports. A brief discussion followed. All reports were reviewed by the BOE.

Staffing Recommendations:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE approved the following personnel actions as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0:

Administrative Retirement:

• Name: Tomaso, Mary
  Position: Principal
  Location: High School
  Effective Date: June 30, 2023

Teaching Retirement:

• Name: Lowell, Sylvia
  Position: Classroom Teacher
  Location: Jr/Sr High School
  Effective Date: June 30, 2023

Administrative Resignation:

• Name: Radley, Jessica
  Position: Business Manager
  Effective Date: February 20, 2023

LTA Appointment:

• Name: Schumske, Emily
  Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant (Pending NYS Certification)
  Effective Date: February 7, 2023
  Salary: $25,250
  (Probationary period from February 7, 2023 – February 7, 2027)

Substitute Appointment:

• Name: Dunn, Karlee
  Position: Substitute
  Location: Elementary School
  Effective Date: February 16, 2023 – June 30, 2023, as needed
  Salary: Per Payment Guidelines for Substitutes

Child Care Leave Request:

• Jones, Brooke: Secondary English/Special Education Teacher
  Effective Date: On or around July 13, 2023 – June 30, 2024

Other Absence:

• Name: Becker, Jenna
  Position: Licensed Teacher Assistant
  Effective Date: February 13, 2023 – Approximately May 12, 2023
  Reason: Student Teaching in District

Extra-Curricular Appointments:

• Name: Decker, Aaron
  Appointment: Elementary Band Advisor
  Salary: $1,520 (Pro-rated)

Coaching Recommendations:

2023 Spring Interscholastic Coaching Appointments*

• Name: Steele, Zachary
  Position: Varsity Baseball
• Name: Steele, Tyler
  Position: Varsity Baseball Unpaid Volunteer Assistant
• Name: Schneider, Joseph
  Position: Modified Baseball
• Name: Lanahan, Vanessa
  Position: Varsity Softball
• Name: Bello, Brianne
  Position: Varsity Softball Unpaid Volunteer Assistant
• Name: Maldonado, Marissa
  Position: Modified Softball
• Name: Richard, Jason
  Position: Boys Varsity Track
• Name: Clarke, Scott
  Position: Girls Varsity Track
• Name: Couchman, Brett
  Position: Varsity Track Assistant
• Name: Appley, Daniel
  Position: Varsity Track Assistant
• Name: Nasypany, Robert
  Position: Modified Track
• Name: Steele, Alan
  Position: Boys Varsity Golf

Salary Per HFA Contract

*Conditioned upon a sufficient number of schools participating to merit a season with sufficient student participation to field a team

Mentor Appointments for 2022-2023 School Year:

• Aimee Jacobs, Classroom Teacher (Mentor)
• Aaron Decker, Instrumental Music Teacher (Mentee)

Salary per the HFA contract

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:

Upon recommendation from Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE approved the Committee on Special Education, 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 file dated 02-15-23)

Rollover Agreement-HCSD/HEA:

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

“WHEREAS, BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby accepts the Tentative Agreement (One Year Rollover) between the Herkimer Central School District and the Herkimer Education Association (HEA); 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 02-15-23).

MOU-HCSD/Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby accepts the Memorandum of Understanding between the Herkimer Central School District and the Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Inc. regarding the coordination of services for eligible children while ensuring all children, regardless of their ability, receive a no cost to families, developmentally appropriate education in the least restrictive environment; and, for the Director of Student Programs and Curriculum to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 02-15-23).

Budget Development Consultant Resolution:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby establishes a Budget Development Consultant (2023-2024) position, effective November 9, 2022, with an associated stipend in the amount of $6,000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby appoints Ms. Karen Mettler to the established position of Budget Development Consultant (2023-2024), effective November 9, 2022, to be compensated at the established stipend amount”.

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 02-15-23).

Interim Administrator Agreement:

Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded the motion to table agenda item 8.h. Interim Administrator Agreement until after Executive Session. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.

2023-2024 School Calendar Adoption:

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Verenich, the BOE approved the 2023-2024 School Calendar as presented. A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. (Material filed in the supplemental packet dated 02-15-23).

Board of Education Reports:

BOCES Annual Meeting/Board of Education Nominations:

President Crandall informed the Board that the BOCES Annual meeting will take place in person this year at the Herkimer BOCES Web Complex on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 6:00 pm. Voting on the BOCES budget and the election of members to the BOCES Board will take place on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

President’s Update:

President Crandall gave various updates to the Board, including the PLTW seniors assignment to create a new directory at Frankfort CSD, Jazz Band performance, the upcoming performance of Cinderella, Show Choir’s performance at RFA and the Quackenbush presentation by Mr. Piseck. He concluded that he was very pleased with the Governor’s budget proposal and was hopeful that we would be able to fill more of our vacancies.

Future Meeting Dates/Agenda Items:

The next scheduled BOE meeting date is Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in the Jr./Sr. High School Library Media Center at 6:00 pm. All agreed on date and time.

Meeting Evaluation:

Ms. Gilbert, this evening’s meeting evaluator, presented her review of the February 15, 2023, Board of Education meeting. She felt it was a good meeting, as always, and was appreciative of the updates that were sent to them. She urged everyone to help themselves to refreshments that she prepared for the meeting.

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel, legal and negotiations, and invited administrators to attend this session. 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.

Ms. Fischer left at the end of the regular meeting at 7:40 p.m.

Executive Session:

The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:43 p.m.
Administration left Executive Session at 8:35 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 9:31 p.m.

Mr. Petucci moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to remove from the table, agenda item 8.h. Interim Administrator Agreement. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney on a motion made by Mr. Verenich, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the BOE approved the following agreement:

Interim Administrator Agreement:

“RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District approves the contract between Mr. Charles Cowen and the District, and authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to sign the agreement, and further

RESOLVED that the Board appoints Mr. Charles Cowen as Interim Part-Time Business Manager/Treasurer effective February 16, 2023, through June 30, 2023, all in accordance with the terms of the above approved contract”.

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 02-15-23).

Adjournment:

On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 9:32 p.m. All voted in favor 6:0.

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Susan L. Steele
District Clerk