July 6, 2022 minutes (reorganization meeting and regular meeting)

The Reorganization Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Junior/ Senior High School Media Center and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Appointment of Board Member Resolution:
Ms. Gilbert moved and Mr. Petucci seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Education Law Section 1709(17) and District Policy #2010, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby appoints Mr. Joseph Lamanna to fill a vacancy on the Board until the next regular school district election”.

A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; Motion carried 2:0

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

Brian Crandall – Re-elected Board of Education Member
Joe Lamanna – Newly elected Board of Education Member
Robert Mihevc – Re-elected Board of Education Member
Aleksander Verenich – Newly elected Board of Education Member
Election of Officers:
President- Ms. Gilbert nominated Mr. Crandall for the position of Board President. There were no other nominations for President.

On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Mihevc, Mr. Crandall was elected as Board President. Motion carried 5:0:1.

Mr. Crandall was administered the Oath of Office by the District Clerk. Newly elected Board president, Mr. Crandall, will now preside over the meeting.

Vice President– Mr. Petucci 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. Petucci seconded by Mr. Mihevc, Ms. Gilbert was elected as Vice President. Motion carried 5:0:1.

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

President Crandall explained 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:
No public comments were heard.

Approval of the Agenda:
Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

Adoption of Board of Education Meeting Dates 2022-2023:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney on a motion made by Mr. Petucci seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the Board approved the 2022-2023 BOE meeting dates as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

Appointment of Officers:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney on a motion made by Mr. Petucci seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the Board approved the following Appointment of Officers for the 2022-2023 school year. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

District Clerk- Susan Steele
District Treasurer- Regina Frasier
Deputy Treasurer- Susan Steele
Claims Auditors- Cristina Chilelli
Approved Appointments:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the Board approved the following appointments for the 2022-2023 school year. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

District Physician- Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital
Independent Auditor- West and Company
School Attorney(s) – Girvin & Ferlazzo PC, Ferrara Fiorenza PC, Harris Beach PLLC and Hogan, Sarzynski, Lynch, DeWind & Gregory LLP.
Financial Advisor – Bernard P. Donegan Inc.
Insurance Advisor – Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Inc.
Bond Counsel – Hodgson and Russ, LLP.
Designation Appointments:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the Board approved the following Designation Appointments for the 2022-2023 school year. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

School Tax Collector – Town of Herkimer
Supervisors of Attendance and appointed designee(s):
Jr./Sr. High School: Principal Mary Tomaso/ Designee Zachary Abbe

Middle School: Principal Zachary Abbe/ Designee Mary Tomaso

Elementary: Principal Renee Vogt/ Designee Cristi Paragi

Dignity Act Coordinator:
Jr./ Sr. High School: Principal Mary Tomaso/ Designee Zachary Abbe

Middle School: Principal Zachary Abbe/ Designee Mary Tomaso

Elementary: Principal Renee Vogt/ Designee Cristi Paragi

Athletic Director – Cristi Paragi
Purchasing Agent – Business Manager
Records Access Officer – Cristina Chilelli
Records Management Officer – Cristina Chilelli
Census Enumerator – Superintendent of Schools, Kathleen A. Carney
Chief Emergency Officer – Superintendent of Schools, Kathleen A. Carney
Herkimer County Insurance Designee to Board of Directors – Regina Frasier, Designee to Board of Directors, and Kathleen A. Carney, District’s Interim Designee
Herkimer County Workers Comp. Consortium Designee to Board of Directors – Regina Frasier, Designee to Board of Directors, and Kathleen A. Carney, District’s Interim Designee
Residency Officer – Superintendent of Schools, Kathleen A. Carney
Title IX Compliance Officer – Michelle Ploss
Section 504 Americans with Disabilities Act Officer – Michelle Ploss
Liaison for Homeless Children and Foster Care Coordinator – Michelle Ploss
Committee on Special Education:
Chairperson- Jessica Tehan

School Psychologist – Generic

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 – Jessica Tehan

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

Asbestos (LEA) Designee XII– Dan Parker
Chemical Hygiene Officer(s) James McKernan, Robert Nasypany and Carrie Kane
Medicaid Claims Officer – Michelle Ploss
Interim 2-D Officer – Ryan Orilio
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 2022-2023 school year. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

Official Depositories – Adirondack Bank
Extra- Classroom Faculty Auditor – Zachary Abbe
Treasurer for Extra- Classroom Activities Account – Susan Steele
Official Newspaper – Times Telegram
Authorizations:
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the Board approved the following authorizations. All in favor; motion carried 6:0.

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 2022-2023 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 2022-2023 school year.

Rural Schools Association Annual Membership: To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to sign an annual membership effective July 1, 2022- June 30, 2023, 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 June 30, 2022, that all staff funded with Title I & II funds for the 2021- 2022 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 Superintendent of Schools to be authorized to approve wire transfers outside the district up to 1 million, with the exception of payroll and debt service related transfers which may exceed $1 million.

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.

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 District Treasurer and District Clerk to serve as the following:

Official Bank Signatories: To approve Regina Frasier and Susan Steele as Official Bank Signatories for the 2022-2023 school year, and to serve as part of their regular duties.

The appointment of District Treasurer to serve as the following:

Signing of Checks: To authorize Regina Frasier, District Treasurer, to sign checks on behalf of the District.

Petty Cash Accounts: To authorize that the following petty cash accounts be established for the 2022-2023 school year:

Jr./Sr. High School
Amount: $100
Designee: Zachary Abbe

Elementary School
Amount: $100
Designee: Tami Kucerak

District Office
Amount: $100
Designee: Susan Steele

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 6:0.

Substitute Teachers, Nurses and Support Staff:
Certified Teachers- $115/ per day

Uncertified Teachers- $95/per day

LTA’s- $13.20/ hr.

Registered Nurses- $20/ hr.

Licenses Practical Nurses: $15/ hr.

Typist: per NYS Minimum Wage

Maintenance: per NYS Minimum Wage

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 2022-2023 school year.

Breakfast: $1.50
Lunch: $2.75
Reduced Breakfast: Free
Reduced Lunch: Free

Consent Agenda:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney and after a brief discussion, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, and seconded by Mr. Lamanna the Board approved the following resolutions. All voted in favor; 6:0.

Review of required District Policies in Effect:

The 2022-2023 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
Approved Standard Work Day:

BE IT RESOLVED, the board of Education of the Herkimer CSD hereby approves the Standard Work Day as per attached NYS Local Retirement System Standard Work Day Form RS 2418 for the 2022-2023 school year.

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 18, 2021, 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 6:16 p.m. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

-End of the Re-organizational Meeting –

Public recessed at 6:16 p.m.

Public reconvened at 6:18 p.m.

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:18 p.m. at the Herkimer Jr. /Sr. High School Media Center by President Brian Crandall.

Approval of Agenda:
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to formally approve the meeting agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

Board Recognition:

President Crandall acknowledged the thank you from Caroline Pontius, recipient of the Board of Education 2022 Valedictorian Award.

Approval of the Minutes:
Mr. Petucci moved Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to approve the regular BOE meeting minutes from Wednesday, June 15, 2022, as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

Business Reports:
Language Club Trip Request:

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded 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 approve the Language Club International field trip request to Costa Rica, from April 8, 2023 – April 16, 2023. “

A discussion followed. All voted in favor: Motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 07/06/22)

Utica University Student Internship Agreement:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, the Herkimer Central School District has the desire to enter into an agreement with Utica University for student internships effective August 1, 2022 – August 1, 2027, per terms and conditions of the agreement; and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor: Motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 07/06/22)

Foreign Exchange Student Agreement:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby accept a foreign exchange student from the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) effective September 7, 2022 – June 23, 2023”.

A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor: Motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 07/06/22)

Superintendent’s Reports:
Superintendent Carney was appreciative of her smooth transition to the role of Superintendent of Schools and thanked her office staff for making her feel welcome. She was pleased with the graduation ceremonies that took place at both schools and was excited to see both old and new traditions. She commented on how our school is the hub of our community and was pleased at the turnout for both ceremonies.

Superintendent Carney mentioned that she has been busy meeting with administrators and department heads and will be meeting shortly regarding the Capital Project.

She spoke of the new hires that have already taken place and how securing certified teachers for future hirings may be a struggle.

As our part-time business manager, Karen Mettler gets ready to leave, Mr. Charles Mower will begin to serve our district in that role.

Intermunicipal Agreement:

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

“WHEREAS, Education Law, section 1950(14) allows Boards of Cooperative Educational Services and their component school districts to enter into agreements providing for the acquisition, construction and reconstruction of facilities designed to house services to be provided by such BOCES and for the sharing of the cost of such acquisition, construction or reconstruction; and

WHEREAS, General Municipal Law, Article 5-G authorizes school districts and BOCES to enter into intermunicipal agreements to carry out any function or responsibility each has authority to undertake alone; and

WHEREAS, the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego Board of Cooperative Educational

Services (“BOCES”) is preparing for a capital project to improve, repair and renovate its buildings and facilities known as The William E. Busacker Education Complex, located at 352 Gros Boulevard, Herkimer, NY 13350, and The Remington Education Complex, located at 77 East North Street, Ilion, NY 13357; and

WHEREAS, the District has undertaken a reasonable review of the Capital Project and has determined that the project will benefit the District’s students; and

WHEREAS, the District desires to enter into an agreement with the BOCES to share the cost of the Capital Project;

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Herkimer Central School Board of Education hereby approves the Intermunicipal Agreement for the repairs, improvements and renovations to HFHO BOCES facilities, buildings and grounds, dated July 6, 2022 and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement and authorizes the payment of money as set forth therein.”

A discussion followed. All voted in favor: Motion carried 6:0

Administrative Reports:

Ms. Tomaso, Mr. Abbe and Ms. Vogt gave a verbal update for the high school, middle school and elementary school. Ms. Paragi’s report was reviewed with the BOE. Brief discussions followed for each report.

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 6:0.

Staffing Appointments:

NAME: Appley, Daniel

TENURE AREA(s): Physical Education K – 12
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.