Nov. 16, 2022 minutes

The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6:01 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:

Ms. Madison Gargas, student council representative and 12th grade student, gave an update of various happenings around school. She was pleased at the overall success of all Homecoming activities and especially of the large number of students that attended the dance and that participated in the Spirit Week festivities. Student Council is busy collecting items for their Holiday Box projects and she was happy with their progress. Lastly, Ms. Gargas recognized the teachers and students of the month for September (Ms. Lampert/Izabella Vredenburg and David Bass), October (Ms. Elias/Abigail Polus and Nicholas Petucci) and November (Ms. Jones/Lilliana Langdon and Josh Leskovar).

Approval of the Agenda:

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

Board Recognitions:

President Crandall acknowledged the student artwork on display and encouraged all to view them.

Approval of the Minutes:

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Verenich seconded a motion to formally approve the Board of Education special meeting minutes from Wednesday, September 26, 2022. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to formally approve the Board of Education regular meeting minutes from Wednesday, October 5, 2022. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

Business Reports:

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the BOE accepts receipt of the September and October Treasurer’s Reports, Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, October General Warrant totaling $2,979,451.82, October Capital Warrant totaling $105,296.16, October Federal Warrant totaling $5,695.50, October Expendable Trust Warrant totaling $48.02, the October Exceptions Report, September and October HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Reports, Reserve Fund Report and Analysis and five (5) budget transfer under the $5,000 total. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11-16-22).

Budget Transfers Over:

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE approved eight (8) budget transfers over the $5,000 limit totaling $1,824,543.00. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11-16-22).

Return of Unpaid Taxes:

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

RESOLVED, that Brian Crandall, President of the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District, in the Town of Herkimer, County of Herkimer, NY, be and hereby is authorized, empowered and directed to sign on behalf of said Board of Education of said District, the Certificate of the Board of Education of said District attached to the “School Collector’s Return to County Treasurer” of unpaid taxes of said District, which return is for the unpaid taxes assessed upon the lands in said District in the tax list made out and delivered to the Collector on the 18th day of August 2022, and which return is dated and made on the 1st day of November 2022.”

A discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11-16-22).

Donation to School Resolution:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District accepts the anonymous donation of musical instruments, as presented, to the Jr./Sr. High School Music Department”.

All voted in favor: motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11-16-22).

Change in Rate of Pay Resolution:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the rate of pay that was previously approved at the July 6, 2022 Reorganizational Meeting for Uncertified Substitutes be changed from $95.00 per day to $100.00 per day, and the rate of pay for Substitute Licensed Teacher Assistants be changed from $13.20 per hour to $14.20 per hour, effective December 31, 2022”.

A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11-16-22).

Capital Outlay Project Award Resolution – Day Automation:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that the Herkimer Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of a quotation from Day Automation, Inc.; and,

THEREFORE, it is the Districts desire to award the work to Day Automation, Inc. for the 2022-2023 Capital Outlay Project.

A discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11-16-22).

TREATY Program of Catholic Charities Resolution:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, the Herkimer CSD has agreed upon the TREATY programming set forth herein and enters into such an agreement with Catholic Charities of Herkimer County during the 2022-2023 school year.

WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to enter into this agreement for the 2022-2023 school year; per terms and conditions of the agreement, and have the Superintendent sign on the Districts behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11-16-22).

Building Blocks Learning Center Resolution:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, the Herkimer CSD has the need for an independent contractor to perform Related Services set forth herein and enters into such an agreement with Building Blocks Learning Center, LLC; and

FURTHERMORE, that the BOE does hereby authorize this agreement with Building Blocks Learning Center, LLC, effective November 3, 2022 thru June 30, 2023; and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11-16-22).

Physical Therapy UDO Services Resolution:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE does hereby authorize this agreement with Kayla Lachut for Physical Therapy Services for the Herkimer Central School District, effective September 6, 2022 thru June 30, 2023; and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11-16-22).

Business Office Update:

Superintendent Carney explained that Mr. Charles Mower and Ms. Karen Mettler will be working in the business office together, until a replacement is found for Ms. Frasier. Mr. Mower was in attendance and gave a brief update regarding state aid, completion of audits and preliminary budget work. Overall, he is pleased with the progress he and Ms. Mettler have accomplished. A discussion followed.

Superintendent Report/Update:

Superintendent Carney thanked Ms. Gargas for her update. She acknowledged the wonderful job that the high school teachers did with their curriculum council projects and thanked Ms. Ploss for organizing and facilitating the presentations. She also acknowledged the great job done in the presentation by the students in the Civics Capstone class. This is a new class this year and she is pleased with the great opportunities that it provides to our students. She commented on the amazing artwork displayed by our students as well.

Superintendent Carney expressed her appreciation for the hard work done behind the scenes as well as performances in the middle school production of Seussical the Musical. It was a wonderful show, and she was pleased to see the excitement that the show brought to our school.

Other updates were given by the Superintendent, including: the completion of the Front Door Grant through Wal-Mart, report cards being sent out, the search for a school psychologist continues, Scott Flansburg, the “Human Calculator” and President of the Herkimer 9 Foundation, will be sponsoring a Counting Bee at Herkimer College and the Herkimer Central School district will be hosting All-County next year. Superintendent Carney also talked about the Holiday Shoe Box Project and mentioned that it was a great project if anyone was able to donate.

Administrative Reports:

Mr. Abbe and Ms. Tomaso gave an overview of their reports, which were all reviewed by the BOE. Ms. Vogt was unable to attend the meeting due to parent teacher conferences being held at the elementary school. Ms. Paragi was in attendance and gave a brief overview of happenings at the elementary in her absence.

HCSD/HFA MOA – Addition of New Co-Curricular Club Advisors:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby accepts the Memorandum of Agreement between the Herkimer Central School District and the Herkimer Faculty Association (HFA) to add the following co-curricular clubs and advisors: Please Stand Up and Show Choir, each compensated at $1,520.00; and furthermore, split the existing position of Drama Club Advisor/Assistant Fall/ Spring Director into two separate appointments: Drama Club Advisor/Assistant Fall Director and Drama Club Advisor/Assistant Spring Director, each compensated at $1,770.00 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 11-16-22).

Staffing Recommendations:

Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded the motion to table agenda item 9d. Staffing Recommendations until after Executive Session. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

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 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11-16-22)

HCSD/CSEA (Full-Time) MOU – Paid Holiday Resolution:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby accepts the Memorandum of Understanding between

the Herkimer Central School District and the CSEA Local 1000 AFSCME AFL-CIO Herkimer Central School Unit #7112-00 (Full-Time), Herkimer County Local 822 (CSEA); regarding the observance of Juneteenth as a paid holiday for those employees represented by CSEA, 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 11-16-22).

HCSD/CSEA (Part-Time) MOU – Paid Holiday Resolution:

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby accepts the Memorandum of Understanding between the Herkimer Central School District and the CSEA Local 1000 AFSCME AFL-CIO Herkimer Central School Unit #7112-02 (Part-Time), Herkimer County Local 822 (CSEA); regarding the observance of Juneteenth as a paid holiday for those employees represented by CSEA, and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11-16-22).

Change in Re-Organizational Meeting Appointments:

Ms. Gilbert 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 authorizes the following changes that were previously approved at the July 6, 2022 Reorganizational Meeting: Appointment of Officers: – change District Treasurer from Regina Frasier to Karen Mettler; Designation Appointments – change Herkimer County Insurance Designee to Board of Directors from Regina Frasier to Karen Mettler, and Herkimer County Workers Comp. Consortium Designee to Board of Directors from Regina Frasier to Karen Mettler; Official Bank Signatories – change Regina Frasier to Karen Mettler; and Signing of Checks – change from Regina Frasier to Karen Mettler, effective November 9, 2022”.

A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11-16-22).

Board of Education Reports:

President’s Update:

President Crandall thanked the students from the Civics Capstone class for their informative presentation and the high school teachers for their curriculum council presentations. He commented on the great job that the cast and crew of Seussical the Musical did and hoped that it was attended by many. Mr. Sam Luce, our representative on the Herkimer BOCES Board of Education, was present and informed our Board that the BOCES Building project was progressing well as was their Superintendent search.

Land Swap Discussion:

President Crandall and Superintendent Carney gave an update on the Land Swap, which after many discussions, should be ready to finalize. A discussion followed regarding concerns with the wording and restrictions on the deed. The Board was informed that this would be looked at with legal and they would be notified of the findings.

Future Meeting Dates/Agenda Items:

The next scheduled BOE meeting date is Wednesday, December 14, 2022, in the Elementary Cafetorium at 6:00 pm. The elementary teachers will give their curriculum council presentations, and there will be a presentation from third grade students as well. All agreed on date and time.

Meeting Evaluation:

Mr. Mihevc, this evening’s meeting evaluator, presented his review of the November 16, 2022, Board of Education meeting. He felt it was well run and they were given plenty of information. Mr. Mihevc also commented that the meetings where students are present and there are presentations are his favorite meetings and commended all who presented on doing a great job.

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Lamanna 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 6:0.

Executive Session:

The Board moved into Executive Session at 8 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 9:11 p.m.

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to remove from the table, agenda item 9d. Staffing Recommendations. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0

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

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS:

Non-Teaching Resignation:

• Name: Frasier, Regina
  Position: District Treasurer
  Effective Date: November 15, 2022

Staffing Appointments (Amended BOE 09/14/22):

NAME: Freeland, Gabriella
TENURE AREA(s): Family and Consumer Science
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: September 23, 2022
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: September 23, 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: September 23, 2022
SALARY: Step 8 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Staffing Appointments (Amended BOE 06/16/21):

NAME: Horender, Kylee
TENURE AREA(s): Elementary Education
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: September 1, 2021
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: September 1, 2024
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: September 1, 2021
SALARY: Step 8 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Part-Time Teaching Appointment:

• Name: Harris, Karen
  Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide
  Location: Elementary School
  Effective Date: November 16, 2022
  Salary: $14.20/hour
• Name: Marquissee, Carrie
  Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide
  Location: Elementary School
  Effective Date: October 12, 2022
  Salary: $14.20/hour

Non-Teaching Appointment:

• Name: Moorehead, Melissa
  Position: Typist
  Location: Elementary School
  Effective Date: November 17, 2022
  Probationary Period Serv: November 17, 2022 – May 16, 2023
  Salary: $16.75/hour

CSE/CPSE Substitute Aide Appointment:

The following are appointed as CSE/CPSE Substitute Aides at St. Francis de Sales School for the 2022-2023 school year as needed, pending fingerprint clearance (Salary per NYS minimum wage guidelines):

• Coulthurst, Michael
• Montana, Toni

Coaching Recommendations:
2022-2023 Winter Interscholastic Coaching Appointments*

• Name: Schneider, Joseph
  Position: Girls JV Volleyball

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

2022-2023 Winter Interscholastic Unpaid Coaching Appointments:

• Palmer, Jordan – Boys JV Basketball Unpaid Volunteer Assistant
• Schneider, Joseph – Boys Varsity Basketball Unpaid Volunteer Assistant

Extra-Curricular Appointments:

• Name: Paddock, William
  Appointment: Show Choir Advisor
  Salary: $1,520
• Name: Lalonde, Jillian
  Appointment: Spring Theatrical Production Director
  Salary: $2,450
• Name: Paddock, William
  Appointment: Spring Assistant Director
  Salary: $1,770
• Name: Carpineti, Jessica/Klink, Kayla/Saugh, Carolyn
  Appointment: Please Stand Up Co-Advisors
  Salary: $1,520

Adjournment:

On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 9:12 p.m. All voted in favor 6:0.