Jan. 18, 2023 minutes

Date: Jan. 18, 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, 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. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.

Board Recognitions:

Ms. Paragi thanked everyone for attending tonight’s Board of Education meeting and introduced the fall scholar athletes. The student athletes received a certificate and pin acknowledging that they received over a 90 average in the first marking period. She also congratulated the Boys and Girls X-County teams, Boys and Girls Soccer, Cheerleading and Field Hockey team, which were all recognized as Scholar Athlete Teams. President Crandall congratulated all the athletes and acknowledged the student artwork on display.

Approval of the Minutes:

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Verenich seconded a motion to formally approve the Board of Education regular meeting minutes from Wednesday, December 14, 2022. Motion carried 6:0:1.

Business Reports:

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE accepts receipt of the December Treasurer’s Reports, Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, December General Warrant totaling $2,286,173.35, December Capital Warrant totaling $302,204.93, December Federal Warrant totaling $0.00, the December Exception Report, December HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Reports, 2018 Capital Project Change Orders 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 01-18-23).

Budget Transfers Over:

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Verenich, the BOE approved one (1) budget transfer over the $5,000 limit totaling $78,467.04. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 01-18-23).

Creation of Scholarship Resolution:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the creation of the Mary and Frank Falk Scholarship for the Herkimer Central School District. The award will be presented annually to a graduating senior pursuing education in the field of music”.

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 01-18-23).

Approval of Tutors Resolution:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, to approve District teachers as tutors for the 2022-2023 school year and as authorized during the summer months”.

A discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 01-18-23).

Approval of Chaperones Resolution:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools to approve all District staff members as chaperones for District-sponsored events, as needed, at the chaperone rate of pay for the 2022-2023 school year”.

A discussion followed; All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 01-18-23).

Joint Representation Agreement:

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Verenich seconded to approve the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District agrees that the law offices of Ferrara Fiorenza, PC represent the Herkimer Central School District (hereinafter District), and the Town of Herkimer (hereinafter Town) with respect to the claims regarding the Herkimer Housing Associates against the Town of Herkimer, Village of Herkimer, and Herkimer Central School District and specifically in regard to the action which is the subject of these claims, filed in Herkimer County Supreme Court with an Index Number EF2021-108785;

FURTHERMORE, the Board has been informed by Ferrara Fiorenza, PC that the District has the right to independent counsel of its choosing, and are in agreement that the Ferrara Fiorenza PC law firm represent the Herkimer Central School District and the Town of Herkimer with respect to the claims of the Herkimer Housing Authority against the Town and the District, as there are no claims between the District and the Town, and the District’s interests are aligned with the Town. This litigation arises out of the same set of facts and under the same statutes and regulations for both parties and it is reasonable for the attorneys to adequately represent the District and Town of Herkimer in this matter and such representation is not prohibited by law;

WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to authorize President Crandall to sign the agreement on behalf of the district.

A discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 01/18/23).

Business Office Update:

Superintendent Carney explained that Mr. Charles Mower and Ms. Karen Mettler were both unable to attend tonight’s meeting but informed the Board that they are working on the fiscal components of the budget, getting binders ready for the Board, waiting for foundation aid and meeting with departments to review the budget.

Superintendent Report/Update:

Superintendent Carney acknowledged both students and parents who were in attendance for the fall scholar athlete presentation and believed the large number of recipients were a testimony to the caliber of our students. She thanked Ms. Paragi for facilitating this recognition.

She also acknowledged the artwork on display from our high school and elementary students, the wonderful job that Mr. Bryon Ackerman did on the “Magic Happens Here” video, CNY Scholastic Art Competition winners Jillian Hutchinson, Lyla Williams and Hannah Minguela and Mrs. Heather McCutcheon for receiving honorable mention and congratulated seniors Izabella Vredenburg on being the winner and Ann Zhao for honorable mention in the VFW Voice of Democracy essay contest.

Superintendent Carney gave the Board updates regarding Phase II of the Capital Project, her conversation with Dr. Grace regarding Covid protocol and return to play and the practices and effectiveness of homework club. 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:

Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded the motion to table agenda item 7c. Staffing Recommendations until after Executive Session. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.

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 01-18-23).

Board of Education Reports:

President’s Update:

President Crandall was pleased by the great turnout honoring our fall student athletes. Mr. Petucci wondered if the number of athletes receiving the honor was higher this year or if it was an average representation. Ms. Paragi stated that the number of teams receiving the honor was the same but would have to get back to the board regarding the number of individual student athletes.

Ms. Gilbert mentioned how nice it was to see the turnouts at Swim Night, girls basketball Night Out and S.A.D.D.’s Movie Night.

President Crandall informed the Board, that on a recommendation from the Civics Capstone presentation, that signs have been put up regarding the flow of traffic and where to drop off.

Future Meeting Dates/Agenda Items:

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

Meeting Evaluation:

Mr. Verenich, this evening’s meeting evaluator, presented his review of the January 18, 2023, Board of Education meeting. He felt it was a well-run meeting and he enjoyed seeing the recognition of our fall athletes. He wanted to thank the teachers and administration for their role in helping our student athletes with that achievement.

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing 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 7:07 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 7:58 p.m.

Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded a motion to remove from the table, agenda item 7c. Staffing Recommendations. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0

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

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS:

Administrative Resignation:

• Name: Tehan, Jessica
  Position: CSE/CPSE Chairperson
  Location: District-wide
  Effective Date: January 16, 2023

Teaching Retirement:

• Name: Elias, Melissa
  Position: English Teacher
  Location: High School
  Effective Date: August 27, 2023

Non-Teaching Retirement:

• Name: Orts, Katherine
  Position: Social Worker
  Location: Elementary School
  Effective Date: June 30, 2023

Teaching Tenure Appointment:

• Name: Burns, Vicki
  Position: Special Education Teacher
  Location: Elementary School
  Tenure Area: Special Education (1–6)
  Prob. Period Served: 02/18/2019 – 02/17/2023
  Effective Date: February 18, 2023

Administrative Appointment:

• Name: Radley, Jessica
  Position: Business Manager
  Effective Date: February 20, 2023
  Salary: $120,000

Interim CSE/CPSE Chairperson:

• Name: Fonda, Kathleen
  Position: CSE/CPSE Chairperson
  Effective Date: January 19, 2023
  Salary: $55/hour, on an as needed basis

Staffing Appointments (Amended BOE 12/14/22):

NAME: Decker, Aaron
TENURE AREA(s): Music Education
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: January 3, 2023
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: January 3, 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 two (2) of the three (3) 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 3, 2023
SALARY Step 7 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Maternity-Leave Request:

• Thuener, Jessica
  Licensed Teaching Assistant
  Effective on or before: January 7, 2023
  Anticipated leave approximately 6-12 weeks; pending physician’s release.

Coaching Recommendations:
2022-2023 Winter Interscholastic Coaching Appointments*

• Name: Nasypany, Robert
  Position: Girls Modified Basketball
  Salary Per HFA Contract, may be pro-rated as negotiated

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

Adjournment:

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