July 10, 2024 Minutes (Reorganization Meeting and Regular Meeting)

Date: July 10, 2024

Kind of Meeting: Reorganization and Regular

Place: Herkimer Jr/Sr High School District Library

Members Present: Brian Crandall, Michele Gilbert, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc and Scott Petucci

Members Absent: Diann Fischer and Aleksander Verenich

Others Present: Superintendent Kathleen Carney, Chad Hess, Gina McKernan, Zachary Abbe, Maria Lindsay, Nicole Crandall, Renee Vogt, Cristi Paragi and Michelle Ploss

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The Reorganization Meeting was called to order by the District Clerk, Gina McKernan, at 6:02 p.m. in the Junior/Senior High School Media Center and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Administration of Oath of Office:

At this time the District Clerk administered the Oath of Office to the following:

• Michele Gilbert – Re-elected Board of Education Member

Election of Board Officers for the 2024-2025 School Year:

President- Mr. Petucci nominated Mr. Crandall for the position of Board President. There were no other nominations for President.

On a motion made by Mr. Petucci and seconded by Ms. Gilbert, Mr. Crandall was elected as Board President. Motion carried 4:0:1.

Mr. Crandall was administered the Oath of Office by the District Clerk.

Vice President – Mr. Lamanna nominated Ms. Gilbert for the position of Board of Education Vice President. There were no other nominations for Vice President.

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna seconded by Mr. Mihevc, Ms. Gilbert was elected as Vice President. Motion carried 4:0:1.

Ms. Gilbert was administered the Oath of Office by the District Clerk.

Newly elected Board President, Mr. Crandall, will now preside over the meeting.

Public Comment:

No public comments were heard.

Approval of the Agenda:

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

Adoption of Board of Education Meeting Dates 2024-2025:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney on a motion made by Mr. Lamanna seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the Board approved the 2024-2025 BOE meeting dates as presented. A brief discussion followed. Mr. Crandall recommended that the Wednesday, September 18, 2024, meeting be changed to Tuesday, September 17, 2024, as he will be out of town. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

Appointment of Officers:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the Board approved the following Appointment of Officers for the 2024-2025 school year. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

1. District Clerk: Gina McKernan
2. District Treasurer: Chad Hess
3. Deputy Treasurer: Gina McKernan
4. Claims Auditor: Sarah Beardsley
5. Deputy Claims Auditor: Maria Ella Caiola

Approved Appointments:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the Board approved the following appointments for the 2024-2025 school year. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

1. District Physician: Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital
2. Independent Auditor: West and Company
3. School Attorney(s): Girvin & Ferlazzo PC, Ferrara Fiorenza PC, and Harris Beach PLLC
4. Financial Advisor: Bernard P. Donegan Inc
5. Insurance Advisor: Day and Read (Insure One of America)
6. Bond Counsel: Hodgson and Russ, LLP

Designation of Appointments:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the Board approved the following Designation Appointments for the 2024-2025 school year. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

• School Tax Collector: Town of Herkimer

Supervisors of Attendance and appointed designee(s):

• Jr./Sr. High School: Principal Zachary Abbe/Designee Maria Lindsay
• Middle School: Principal Maria Lindsay/Designee Zachary Abbe
• Elementary: Principal Renee Vogt/Designee Cristi Paragi

Dignity Act Coordinator:

• Jr./Sr. High School: Principal Zachary Abbe/Designee Maria Lindsay
• Middle School: Principal Maria Lindsay/Designee Zachary Abbe
• Elementary: Principal Renee Vogt/Designee Cristi Paragi

1. Athletic Director: Cristi Paragi
2. Purchasing Agent: Chad Hess
3. Records Access Officer: Cristina Chilelli
4. Records Management Officer: Cristina Chilelli
5. Census Enumerator: Superintendent of Schools, Kathleen A. Carney
6. Chief Emergency Officer: Superintendent of Schools, Kathleen A. Carney
7. Herkimer County Insurance Designee to Board of Directors: Chad Hess, Designee to Board of Directors, and Kathleen A. Carney, District’s Designee
8. Herkimer County Workers Comp. Consortium Designee to Board of Directors: Chad Hess, Designee to Board of Directors, and Kathleen A. Carney, District’s Designee
9. Residency Officer: Superintendent of Schools, Kathleen A. Carney
10. Title IX Compliance Officer: Michelle Ploss
11. Section 504 Americans with Disabilities Act Officer: Michelle Ploss
12. Liaison for Homeless Children and Foster Care Coordinator: Michelle Ploss

Committee on Special Education:

• Chairperson: Correne Holmes
• School Psychologist: Kelley Thorp
• School Physician: Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital
• Child’s Special Education Teacher: Generic
• Child’s Regular Education Teacher: Generic

Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE):

• School District Employee/ Chairperson: Correne Holmes
• Representative of the municipality of the child’s Residency: Generic
• Professional who participates in the evaluation of the child: Generic
• Child’s Teacher or appropriately certified teacher: Generic
• Representative from Early Intervention Program: Generic

1. Asbestos (LEA) Designee: AHERA, Public Law 99-519 – Chad Hess
2. Chemical Hygiene Officer(s): James McKernan, Robert Nasypany and Carrie Kane
3. Medicaid Claims Officer: Michelle Ploss
4. Ed Law 2-D Officer: Richard Mathy

Designations:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Lamanna seconded by Mr. Petucci, the Board approved the following Designations for the 2024-2025 school year. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

• Official Depositories: Adirondack Bank and Metropolitan Bank
• Extra-Curricular Faculty Auditor: Zachary Abbe
• Treasurer for Extra-Curricular Activities Account: Susan Steele
• Official Newspaper: Times Telegram

Authorizations:

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the Board approved the following authorizations. All in favor; motion carried 5:0.

The Appointment of the Superintendent of Schools to serve as the following:

Certifier of Payroll: To approve the Superintendent of Schools to serve as Certifier of Payroll for the 2024-2025 school year, and as part of her regular duties.

School Calendar Adjustments: To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to adjust the school calendar; and to alter the instructional school calendar as needed.

School Bus Lease Agreement: To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to sign an annual School Bus Lease Agreement between the Herkimer Central School District and Birnie Bus Service, Inc. for the 2024-2025 school year.

Rural Schools Association Annual Membership: To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to sign an annual membership effective July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025, not to exceed $1,000 for dues participation.

Title I & II Certification: To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to sign and attest the status as of July 1, 2024, that all staff funded with Title I & II funds for the 2024- 2025 school year have met the definition of “highly qualified”.

Acceptance of Official Documents: To authorize Kathleen A. Carney, Clerk Pro-tem to accept service of official documents on behalf of the District in the absence of the District Clerk, as part of her regular duties.

Educational Official for Receipt of Court Notifications: To approve the Superintendent of Schools to be authorized to receive court notifications regarding students.

Attendance at Conferences, Workshops, and Conventions: To approve the Superintendent of Schools be authorized to approve attendance at conferences, workshops, and conventions for the teachers, staff and Board of Education members, and that all those attending such conferences would be required to submit conference forms with expenses to the Superintendent.

Budget Transfers: To approve the Superintendent of Schools be given authorization to approve budget transfers of $5,000 or less and be given authorization to recommend budget transfers above that amount to the Board of Education for their formal approval at a public meeting.

Electronic Wire Transfers: To approve the Business Manager to be authorized to approve wire transfers outside the district up to one million dollars, with the exception of payroll and debt service related transfers which may exceed one million dollars.

Credit for Graduate Student, In-service, and Advanced Degrees: To approve the Superintendent of Schools to be authorized to certify credit for approved graduate study, in-service credit and advanced degrees in accordance with the agreement between the Herkimer Faculty Association and the Herkimer Central School District.

Temporary and Part-Time Employees: To approve the Superintendent of Schools to be authorized to appoint all temporary or part-time employees with the understanding that the Board of Education would be informed of the date of hire, position, rate of pay and estimated length of appointment at the next Board of Education meeting.

Application for Grants in aid: To approve the Superintendent of School to be authorized to apply for State and Federal Grants as well as other grant proposals which will benefit the Herkimer Central School District.

Change Orders: To approve the Superintendent of Schools to sign change orders, work directives and other changes to the work below the public bidding threshold of $10,000.

The appointment of the President of the Board of Education to serve as the following:

Change Orders: To approve the President of the Board of Education to sign change orders, work directives and other changes to the work below the public bidding threshold of $35,000.

The appointment of the Vice President of the Board of Education to serve as the following:

Signing of Contracts: To authorize the Vice President of the Board of Education to sign contracts in the absences of the President of the Board of Education.

The appointment of Business Manager and District Clerk to serve as the following:

Official Bank Signatories: To approve Chad Hess and Gina McKernan as Official Bank Signatories for the 2024-2025 school year, and to serve as part of their regular duties.

The appointment of Business Manager to serve as the following:

Signing of Checks: To authorize Chad Hess, Business Manager, to sign checks on behalf of the District.

Petty Cash Accounts: To authorize that the following petty cash accounts be established for the 2024-2025 school year:

Building: Jr./Sr. High School
Amount: $100.00
Designee: Zachary Abbe

Building: Elementary School
Amount: $100.00
Designee: Tami Kucerak

Building: District Office
Amount: $100.00
Designee: Gina McKernan

Approval of Rates:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney and after a brief discussion, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the Board approved the following rates. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

Substitute Teachers, Nurses and Support Staff:

• Certified Teachers: $125/per day
• Uncertified Teachers: $110/per day
• HCS Retired Teachers: $135/day
• LTA’s: $15.50/hr
• Registered Nurses: $28/hr
• Licenses Practical Nurses: $16/hr
• Typist: $15.50/hr
• Maintenance: $15.50/hr
• Election Workers: $17.50/hr

Travel Reimbursement:

• Mileage Rate: Current IRS rate
• Mileage between District Buildings (HES/HHS): 3.4 miles

Student Meal Rate:

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves the meal prices for school lunch and breakfast for the 2024-2025 school year.

• Breakfast: Free
• Lunch: Free

Consent Agenda:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney and after a brief discussion on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, and seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the Board approved the following resolutions. All voted in favor; 5:0.

Review of required District Policies in Effect:

The 2024-2025 policy revisions adopted by the Board of Education throughout the school year are available to the public on the district’s website: www.herkimercsd.org.

Bonding under District Insurance:

Recommended to designate the following individuals to be bonded under the district’s insurance policy.

• School Business Manager
• District Treasurer
• District Clerk
• District Tax Collector
• Central Treasurer- Activity Funds
• Purchasing Agent
• Accountant
• Claims Auditor
• Blanket Bond for the District
• Superintendent of Schools

Destruction of Ballots:

BE IT RESOLVED, in accordance with Education Law Section 2034(6), the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves and authorizes the destruction of ballots from the May 16, 2023, along with any previous election ballots and previous district votes retained on file.

On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, and seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE adjourned the reorganization meeting at 6:10 p.m. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

End of the Re-organizational Meeting.

Public recessed at 6:11 p.m.

Public reconvened at 6:12 p.m.

The Public Hearing meeting for the District Wide Safety Plan was called to order at 6:12 p.m.; No public comment was heard.

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:13 p.m. at the Herkimer Jr. /Sr. High School Media Center by President Brian Crandall.

Approval of Agenda:

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded a motion to formally approve the meeting agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

Board Recognition:

President Crandall acknowledged the thank you note from Jillian Polus.

Approval of the Minutes:

Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to approve the regular BOE meeting minutes from Wednesday, June 26, 2024, as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

Business Reports:

Mr. Hess gave a brief update.

Approval of Tutors Resolution:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, to approve District teachers as tutors for the 2024-2025 school year and as authorized during the summer months”.

All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 07/10/24).

Approval of Chaperones Resolution:

Mr. Lamanna 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 2024-2025 school year”.

All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 07/10/24).

AIA Agreement – Building Condition Survey:

Mr. Mihevc moved, and Ms. Lamanna seconded AIA Document B105 – 2017 Standard Short Form of Agreement between Owner and Architect.

All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 07/10/24).

Superintendent’s Reports:

A brief discussion followed.

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, 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 5:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 7-10-24).

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS:

Mr. Petucci moved, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, a motion to table staffing recommendations until after the executive session. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

President Crandall provided updates and remarked about graduation.

On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, 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. 5:0 in favor; Motion Carried.

Executive Session:

The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:20 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 8:11 p.m.

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS

Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to remove from the table Staffing Recommendations. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

Upon recommendations of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the BOE approved the following personnel action 5:0.

Amendments:

• Belisle, Morgan: .66 Spanish Teacher – Amend end date from June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2025 (BOE Meeting: 6-26-2024)
• Caiola, Maria: Internal Claims Auditor – Amend from Non-Teaching Appointment to Non-Teaching Resignation (BOE Meeting: 6-26-2024)
• Laporte, Hilary: Typist – Amend from Non-Teaching Appointment to Non-Teaching Resignation (BOE Meeting: 6-26-2024)
• Meyer, Chanel: .4 Spanish Teacher – Amend end date from June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2025 (BOE Meeting: 6-26-2024)

Temporary Summer Appointments:

• Name: Appley, Daniel
  Position: Fitness Center Supervisor
  Effective: July 1, 2024- August 28, 2024, as needed
  Salary: $25.00/hour
• Name: Steele, Zachary
  Position: Fitness Center Supervisor
  Effective: July 1, 2024 – August 28, 2024, as needed
  Salary: $25.00/hour

Summer School Substitute Appointments: (Salary per 2024-2025 hourly rate)

NAME: Carrie Marquissee
POSITION: Substitute Licensed Teacher Assistant

Adjournment:

On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, and seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 8:12 p.m. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

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Gina McKernan
District Clerk