Sept. 13, 2023 minutes

Date: September 13, 2023

Kind of Meeting: Regular

Place: Herkimer Middle-High School District Media Center

Members Present: Brian Crandall, Michele Gilbert, Diann Fischer, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Joseph Lamanna, Aleksander Verenich

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Superintendent Carney, Business Manager Chad Hess, District Clerk Gina McKernan, Zachary Abbe, Maria Lindsay, Nicole Crandall, Renee Vogt, Cristi Paragi, Michelle Ploss, Correne Holmes, Kristin Stallman, various students

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President Crandall called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

President Crandall welcomed members in the audience and staff members to this evening’s meeting. President Crandall explained the BOE welcomes public comment and community input at meetings. However, we caution speakers 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 made.

Approval of the Agenda:

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.

Approval of the Minutes:

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to formally approve the Board of Education regular meeting minutes from Wednesday, August 16, 2023. Motion carried 6:0:1. Mr. Verenich abstained as he was not present at the meeting. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09-13-23)

Business Reports:

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Lamanna seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE accepts receipts of the July and August Treasurer’s Report, July General Warrant totaling $1,983776.21, August General Warrant totaling $1,250,027.17, Exception Report, July, and August HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Treasurer’s Report. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09-13-23)

Business Updates:

Business Manger Chad Hess stated that our auditor was in today. Our business office is still transitioning and everything is doing well. The monument was moved this morning to the Athletic Complex.

Social Media Litigation:

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 Wagstaff & Cartmell, LLP and Ferrara Fiorenza PC to initiate litigation and file suit against any appropriate parties to seek compensation to the School District for damages suffered by the School District and its students as a result of the development, operation, and marketing of social media platforms, and to seek any other appropriate relief”

5 voted in favor; 2 against; Motion Carried (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09-13-23)

Valley Health Services Agreement

Mr. Petucci moved, and Ms. Fischer 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 Valley Health Services and the Herkimer Central School District to provide advanced planning for an emergency evacuation for Valley Health Service Residents in a case where a disaster takes place and warrants an evacuation”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09-13-23)

Revision of 2023-2024 School Year Calendar

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

“RESOLVED, that the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education does hereby authorize the Superintendent of Schools to grant October 4, 2023, as an early release day for the Jr/Sr High School.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09-13-23)

Middle School Student Council Advisor

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded the following Board Resolution:

“WHEREAS BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby accepts the Memorandum of Agreement-Addition of Middle School Student Council Advisor, between the Herkimer CSD and the Herkimer Faculty Association (HFA); and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Board’s behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09-13-23)

Superintendent Updates:

• Opening Day went smoothly in both buildings
• Thank you to all the staff for their dedication
• This years theme is “Magic Happens Here”
• We have been in talks about a new logo and new brand
• First day staff was back we had Brooklyn Pickle Cater lunch to all staff
• Open House is coming up and transportation will be provided to families
• Next week Jr/Sr High will have their open house
• Capital Project is moving along
• Goals that we spoke about on opening day were attendance and behavior for students
• 3 speakers are schedule for assembles
• First Safety Committee meeting for the school year is scheduled next year
• Classroom lockdown kits have been distributed to every room. Stop the Bleed kits are in the works
• Radios should be delivered shortly
• Safety officers reached out to discuss outdoor protocol

Administrative Reports:

Ms. Paragi, Ms. Vogt, Mr. Abbe and Ms. Lindsay reports were reviewed with the BOE. Discussions followed.

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE approved the Committee on Special Education

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion 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 09/13/23)

Staffing Recommendations:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Verenich, the BOE approved the following personnel actions as presented. All voted in favor. Motion carried 7:0.

Amendment:

Baker, Megan – Substitute Licensed Practical Nurse – Amend effective date from June 1, 2023, to September 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024. [BOE Meeting: 08-16-2023]

Fenton Emma – Substitute Registered Nurse – Amend effective date from June 1, 2023, to September 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024. [BOE Meeting: 08-16-2023]

Hartmann, MaryBeth – Substitute Registered Nurse – Amend effective date from June 1, 2023, to August 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024. [BOE Meeting: 08-16-2023]

Ruge, Jennifer – Substitute Licensed Practical Nurse – Amend effective date from June 1, 2023, to September 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024. [BOE Meeting: 08-16-2023]

Futscher, James – Students with Disabilities – All Grades – Amend Salary Step 1 to Step 6, effective September 1, 2023, per 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract. [BOE Meeting: 07-12-2023]

Teaching Resignation:

Name: Thuener, Jessica
Position: LTA
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 3, 2023

Name: Veit, Jennifer
Position: LTA
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: August 22, 2023

Non-Teaching Resignations:

Name: Harris, Karen
Position: Part-Time Teachers Aide
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: August 31, 2023

Name: Marquissee, Carrie
Position: Part-Time Teachers Aide
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: August 31, 2023

Name: Peterson, Alicia
Position: Typist
Location: CSE Office
Effective Date: September 27, 2023

Child Care Leave Request:

Augustine, Michalyn
3rd Grade Teacher
Effective Date: On or around December 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

CSE/CPSE Substitute Aide Appointments:

The following are appointed as CSE/CPSE Substitute Aides at St. Francis de Sales School for the 2023-2024 school year as needed (pending fingerprint clearance; salary per NYS minimum wage guidelines):

Bryan, Sharon
DeCarlo, Kathleen
Dillenbeck, Marianne
Farber, Robin
Kucerak, Joanne
Roe, Christine

Home Tutor Appointments:

Name: DeSarro, Dina
Position: Tutorial Services (District-Wide)
Effective Date: 2023-2024 School Year, as needed
Salary: Per HFA Contract

Name: Evangelista, Cheri
Position: Tutorial Services (District-Wide)
Effective Date: 2023-2024 School Year, as needed
Salary: Per HFA Contract

Name: Jakubowski, Martin
Position: Tutorial Services (District-Wide)
Effective Date: 2023-2024 School Year, as needed
Salary: Per HFA Contract

Name: Lockwood, Teresa
Position: Tutorial Services (District-Wide)
Effective Date: 2023-2024 School Year, as needed
Salary: Per HFA Contract

Name: Reed, Virgina
Position: Tutorial Services (District-Wide)
Effective Date: 2023-2024 School Year, as needed
Salary: Per HFA Contract

LTA Appointment:

Name: Harris, Karen
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 1, 2023
Salary: $25,500
(Probationary period form September 1, 2023 – August 31, 2027)

Substitute Appointment:

Name: Maas, Makaila
Position: Substitute
Location: District-Wide
Effective Date: September 14, 2023- June 30, 2024, as needed
Salary: Per Payment Guidelines for Substitutes

Mentor Appointment for 2023-2024 School Year:

Courtney Klock, Classroom Teacher (Mentee)
Susan Hayes-Manning, Classroom Teacher (Mentor)

Salary per the HFA contract

2023-2024 Extra-Curricular Appointments:

NAME – Position – (*) SALARY:

Scalise, Laura – Sr. High Student Council – $2,450
Saugh, Carolyn – Sr. High Student Council Asst – $1,850
Saugh, Carolyn – Senior Class Advisor – $2,220
McCutcheon, Heather – Junior Class Advisor – $1,670
Steele, Zachary – Sophomore Class Advisor – $1,670
Sommer, Ashley – Freshman Class Advisor – $1,670
McGraw, Dana – 8th Grade Class Advisor – $1,670
Schneider, Joshua – 7th Grade Co-Advisor – $835
Bailey, Jennifer – 7th Grade Co-Advisor – $835
Smith, Sarah – 6th Grade Co-Advisor – $835
Sperling, Kristy – 6th Grade Co-Advisor – $835
Gordon, Terry – Marching Band Director – $2,250
Gordon, Terry – Sr. High Band Director – $1,850
Orilio, Ryan – Sr. High Yearbook Technical Advisor – $2,450
Bello, Brianne – Sr. High Yearbook Financial Advisor – $2,450
McGraw, Dana – Middle School Yearbook Advisor – $1,670
Heuser, Madison – Fall Theatrical Production Director – $1,850
Heuser, Madison – Spring Theatrical Production Director – $2,450
Lampert, Caroline – Sr. National Honor Society Advisor – $1,520
Hayes-Manning, Susan – Jr. National Honor Society Advisor – $1,520
Sheldon, Nicholas – UN Club Advisor – $1,520
Heuser, Madison – Show Choir – $1,520
Paul, Heather – Pep Club – $1,520
Bello, Brianne – Sr. High SADD Advisor – $1,520
McCutcheon, Heather – Sr. High Art Club Advisor – $1,520
Orilio, Ryan – Sr. eSports Advisor – $1,520
Jory, Cheryl – Middle School Student Council Advisor – $1,670
Baker, Talia – FFA – $1,520

President’s Update:

President Crandall congratulated everyone on a great start to the school year. He mentioned the NYSSMA Conference in Buffalo to let Gina know if you would like to attend by September 18. He passed out the 2023 Resolution Booklets.

Future Meeting Updates:

Superintendent Carney reminded the BOE that the next regularly scheduled meeting is for Wednesday, October 18th at the Herkimer Elementary School.

Meeting Evaluation:

Mr. Mehevc was tonight’s meeting evaluator. He remarked on what a job by all administrators and staff.

On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Ms. Fischer, 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. 6:1 in favor; Motion Carried.

Executive Session:

The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:05 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 7:56 p.m.

Adjournment:

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna and seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 7:57 p.m. All voted in favor 7:0.

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Gina McKernan
District Clerk