Jan. 17, 2024 minutes

Date: January 17, 2024

Kind of Meeting: Regular

Place: Herkimer Middle-High School District Library

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

Members Absent: Michele Gilbert

Others Present: Superintendent Carney, Chad Hess, 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 5 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 spoke regarding an update on student council. Winter weekend is February 3. She also mentioned that they received a thank you letter for holding the holiday project.

Approval of the Agenda:

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0

Board Recognition:

Herkimer High School students had artwork on display at the board meeting.

Approval of the Minutes:

Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded a motion to formally approve the Board of Education regular meeting minutes from Wednesday, December 13, 2023. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 1-17-24)

Business Reports:

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer seconded by Mr. Verenich, the BOE accepts receipt of the December Treasurer’s Report, December General Warrant totaling $3,180,912.25, December Exception Report, December HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Treasurer’s Report and Budget Transfer under $5,000.

On a motion made by Mr. Petucci seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE accepts the Budget Transfer over $5,000.

On a motion made by Mr. Petucci seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the BOE accepts the corrected NYSMEC Resolution.

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 1-17-24)

Business Office Update:

Mr. Hess stated that W2’s and 1099’s are ready to print. Employees should have them in the next couple of weeks.

Donation to School from Rando Family:

Mr. Petucci moved, and Ms. Fischer 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 $25,000 to the Herkimer Central School District from the family of John Rando.

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 1-17-24)

Donation to School from Dolgeville School:

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Verenich 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 a wrestling mat to the Herkimer Central School District from Dolgeville Central School.

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 1-17-24)

Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital Contract:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the agreement between The Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital and the Herkimer Central School District to cover provisions of medical services.

WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to enter into this agreement from July 1, 2023 thru June 30, 2024; per terms and conditions of the agreement”.

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 1-17-24)

Waiving Readings for Adoption:

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lamanna 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 several policies recommended by the Policy Committee,

#1001  Community Use of School Facilities

#1003  School Volunteers

#1004  Visitors to the School

#6404 Nursing Mothers

#4505  Procurement

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

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 1-17-24)

Superintendent Updates:

• Mrs. Carney wanted to welcome John-Henry from the RIC handling I.T. The transition is going well
• Thank you to all the voters that came out and supported the Capital Project
• BPD provided a timeline
• Show Choir will be performing at RFA Friday Night
• Denali Partners out of Little Falls have been working with students
• Regent week is the end of January
• Elementary school ongoing PD writing with student struggle. A consultant has been coming in to help with writing.
• Many athletic activities going on
• Meetings with Admin about Budget

Capital Project 2024 Vote Results:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby accept the 2024 Capital Project vote results from Tuesday, January 16, 2024.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 1-17-24)

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 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 1-17-24)

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the BOE approved the following personnel actions as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 1-17-24)

Teaching Resignation:

Name: Becker, Hannah
Position: LTA
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: January 16, 2024

Name: Harris, Karen
Position: LTA
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: January 17, 2024

Name: Pegg, William
Position: Long Term Substitute
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: January 17, 2024

Non-Teaching Resignation:

Name: Marquissee, Carrie
Position: 1:1 Aide
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: January 17, 2024

Staffing Appointments:

NAME: Pegg, William
TENURE AREA(s): K-12 Music Education
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: January 18, 2024
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: January 17, 2028
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 three (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: January 18, 2024
SALARY: Step 2 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

LTA Appointment:

Name: Marquissee, Carrie
Position: LTA
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: January 18, 2024
Salary: $25,500 (prorated)
(Probationary period January 18, 2024 – January 17, 2028)

1:1 Teacher Aide Appointment:

Name: Harris, Karen
Position: 1:1 Aide
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: January 18, 2024 – June 30, 2024
Salary: $16.00/hour

Substitute Appointment:

Name: Macri, Gianna
Position: Substitute (Pending Fingerprint Clearance)
Location: District Wide
Effective: January 18, 2024 – June 30, 2024
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitutes

Future Meeting Updates:

President Crandall reminded the BOE that the next BOE meeting is February 14 at 6pm. BOCES will be presenting their Budget at 7:15.

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, 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 6:0.

Executive Session:

The Board moved into Executive Session at 5:46 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 6:35 p.m.

Adjournment:

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, and seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 6:37 p.m. All voted in favor 6:0.

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Gina A. McKernan
District Clerk