July 27, 2022 minutes (special meeting)

The Special 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:

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Mr. Verenich was absent from tonight’s meeting).

Business Reports:

Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital Contract:

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded 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, 2022 thru June 30, 2023; per terms and conditions of the agreement”.

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 07/27/22).

Superintendent Report:

IHO Appointment Resolution

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

“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District approves/ratifies the appointment of Jeanne Keefe in a special education impartial hearing pursuant to the Board’s compensation policy and pursuant to the Regulations of the Commissioner of the New York State Education Department section 200.5(j)(3)(ii).”

A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 07/27/22).

Staffing Recommendations:

Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the motion to table agenda item 5b. Staffing Recommendations until after Executive Session. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

Board of Education Reports:

Interim Administrator Agreement Resolution:

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

“RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District approves the contract between Mr. Charles Mower and the district, and authorizes the President of the Board of Education to sign the agreement, and further
RESOLVED that the Board appoints Mr. Mower as Interim Part-Time Business Manager effective August 1, 2022, all in accordance with the terms of the above approved contract”.

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

Review/Establish 2022-2023 BOE Committees:

President Crandall explained how the updated BOE committees were established and shared a brief overview of the duties of each. All agreed to the establishment of the 2022-2023 committees as presented.

Future Meeting Dates/Agenda Items:

The next scheduled BOE meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at 6 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School Library Media Center. All agreed on date and time. Ms. Gilbert inquired about the status of the land swap. Ms. Carney stated that she and Mr. Crandall were meeting with the mayor this week and were cautiously optimistic that the issue will be resolved once and for all. Mr. Crandall mentioned that the group, Launch Herkimer, has been established and that they have many good ideas.

Meeting Evaluation:

Mr. Petucci, this evening’s meeting evaluator, presented his review of the July 27, 2022, Board of Education meeting. He felt the meeting provided some good information and was pleased with the new hires made so far.

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing 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 6:11 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 7:03 p.m.

Mr. Petucci moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to remove from the table, agenda item 5 b. Staffing Recommendations. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

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

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS:

Teacher Resignation:

• Name: Smith, Sirena
  Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
  Location: Elementary School
  Effective Date: June 24, 2022

Teacher Retirement:

• Name: Whitton, Michael
  Position: Science Teacher
  Location: Jr./Sr. High School
  Effective Date: August 21, 2022

Staffing Appointments:

Name: Rich, Kristen
Tenure Area(s): Health/Physical Education
Date of Commencement of Probationary Service in Each Tenure Area: August 31, 2022
Expiration Date of Probationary Appointment: August 30, 2025
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 (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: August 31, 2022
Salary: Step 15 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Saugh, Carolyn
Tenure Area(s): School Counselor
Date of Commencement of Probationary Service in Each Tenure Area: August 10, 2022
Expiration Date of Probationary Appointment: August 9, 2025
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 (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: August 10, 2022
Salary: Step 15 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Paddock, William
Tenure Area(s): Music Education
Date of Commencement of Probationary Service in Each Tenure Area: August 31, 2022
Expiration Date of Probationary Appointment: August 30, 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 (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: August 31, 2022
Salary Step 1 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Smith, Sarah
Tenure Area(s): Childhood Education (1-6)
Date of Commencement of Probationary Service in Each Tenure Area: August 31, 2022
Expiration Date of Probationary Appointment: August 30, 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 (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: August 31, 2022
Salary Step 8
2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Temporary Summer Appointments:

• Name: Paddock, William
  Position: Summer Curriculum Work
  Effective Date: July 27, 2022 – August 30, 2022
  Salary: Per HFA Contract
• Name: Rich, Kristen
  Position: Summer Curriculum Work
  Effective Date: July 27, 2022 – August 30, 2022
  Salary: Per HFA Contract
• Name: Smith, Sarah
  Position: Summer Curriculum Work
  Effective Date: July 27, 2022 – August 30, 2022
  Salary: Per HFA Contract

Adjournment:

On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 7:08 p.m. All voted in favor 6:0.

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Susan L. Steele
District Clerk