June 26, 2024 minutes

Date: June 26, 2024

Kind of Meeting: Regular

Place: Herkimer Middle-High School District Library

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

Members Absent: Diann Fischer

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

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

President Crandall stated:

“The Board of Education welcomes public comments and community input at our 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 the Executive Session and must be coordinated with the Superintendent prior to a Board meeting. We ask that the public comments are no more than five minutes.”

Public Comment:

None

Approval of the Agenda:

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

Board Recognition:

The Board congratulated all the spring student athletes. Victoria Stapf and Kyle Carney sent to the Board of Education a thank you note for their scholarship.

Approval of the Minutes:

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the Board of Education Regular meeting minutes from Wednesday, May 22, 2024. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6-26-24)

Approval of Financial Reports:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the Board approved the following financial reports:

• Treasurer’s Report – May 2024
• General Warrant – May 2024
• Internal Claims Auditors Exception Report– May 2024
• Extracurricular Summary Report – May 2024
• Budget Transfer under $5,000 – May 2024

All voted in favor; motion carried 6-0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6-26-24)

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the Board approved the following financial report:

• Budget Transfer over $5,000 – May 2024

All voted in favor; motion carried 6-0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6-26-24)

Disposal of Surplus Items

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded to accept the following Board resolution:

“WHEREAS the Herkimer Central School District owns library books listed which are damaged, and;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares the books to be surplus and authorizes the Business Office to inform the appropriate personnel to dispose of those items in the best interest of the school district.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Materials filed in the supplemental filed dated 6-26-24)

Resolution School Tax Agreement

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

“BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to sign an agreement between the Town of Herkimer (“Town”) and the Herkimer Central School District for the collection of school taxes;

THEREFORE, it is the districts desire to enter in this agreement, effective July 1, 2024.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Materials filed in the supplemental filed dated 6-26-24)

MOU Perch Place – R4K

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 agrees to enter into agreement for the 2024-2025 school year with Perch Place, LLC for the purposes of increasing the early learning readiness of children entering Kindergarten; and

THEREFORE, it is the Districts desire for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Materials filed in the supplemental filed dated 6-26-24)

MOA BOCES Rental of Facilities

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby agrees to enter into the 2024-2025 BOCES Contract for Rental of Facilities as presented; and,

THEREFORE, it is the Districts desire for the Board President and the District Clerk to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Materials filed in the supplemental filed dated 6-26-24)

MOA Dissolution of Club

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

“BE IT RESOLVED that by the Herkimer Central School Board of Education, that the Class of 2023 ($1,431.72 Balance) extracurricular account will be dissolved due to inactivity. The total remaining balance will be donated to the Herkimer High School Student Council account.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Materials filed in the supplemental filed dated 6-26-24)

School Tax Agreement

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

“BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to sign an agreement between the Town of Herkimer (“Town”) and the Herkimer Central School District for the collection of school taxes;

THEREFORE, it is the districts desire to enter in this agreement, effective July 1, 2024.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Materials filed in the supplemental filed dated 6-26-24)

Funding of Reserves

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

“WHEREAS, section 3651 (1-a) of the Education Law allows a school board to establish a reserve fund to be known as the Tax Certiorari Reserve to be used for the purpose of paying judgments and claims from a tax certiorari proceeding, in accordance with Article 7 of the Real Property Tax Law; and

“WHEREAS, the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education desires to establish a Tax Certiorari Reserve to pay for anticipated liabilities from pending Article 7 cases:

“IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, The Herkimer Central School District Board of Education hereby establishes a reserve to be known as the Tax Certiorari Reserve effective June 30, 2023, in the amount of $50,000.00, for the payment of tax certiorari judgments and claims resulting in challenges to the 2024 tax roll.”

“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does dissolve the tax certiorari reserve pertaining to the 2020 amount as required. The amount equaling $4,500.00 will be returned to unassigned fund balance of the General Fund as of June 30, 2024.

“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby increase the Teachers Retirement System Reserve to the maximum allowable amount as calculated by the District’s Independent Auditors as of June 30, 2024.”

“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby increase the Employees Retirement System Reserve to the maximum allowable amount as calculated by the District’s Independent Auditors as of June 30, 2024.”

“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby authorize the funding of the Capital Reserve Fund with the excess of 4% from unassigned fund balance on June 30, 2024, after the designated amount for tax reduction has been set. The allocation of such excess fund balance will be determined subsequent to June 30, 2024, and prior to setting the tax levy.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Materials filed in the supplemental filed dated 6-26-24)

HEA Tentative Agreement Contract Extension

Mr. Petucci moved, seconded by Mr. Lamanna a motion to table HEA Tentative Agreement Contract Extension until after executive session. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0

Confidential Secretary to the Superintendent Contract

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, that the Board of Education hereby approves the contract of the Secretary of the Superintendent through June 30, 2028, as presented”.

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Materials filed in the supplemental filed dated 6-26-24)

Waiving Readings for Adoption of Policies

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

WHEREAS, it is customary practice of the BOE to have three readings of a policy prior to its adoption; and

WHEREAS, the BOE wishes to adopt several policies recommended by the Policy Committee, to wit,

1400 Constitutionally Protected Prayer in the Schools

1601 School Sponsored Media

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby waives the BOE’s customary practice of three readings prior to the adoption of policies, and adopts the following policy, incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting.

(Copy of policies located on district website)

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Materials filed in the supplemental filed dated 6-26-24)

MOA Addition of New Co-Curricular Clubs & Advisors

Mr. Verenich moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded to accept 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 one advisor each: National FFA club, advisor compensated at $1,520.00 and Sixth Grade Class, advisor compensated at $1,670.00; and for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Materials filed in the supplemental filed dated 6-26-24)

MOA Start/End Times 2024-2025 School Year

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded to accept 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 amend the start/end times for the 2024-2025 school year; and for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Materials filed in the supplemental filed dated 6-26-24)

MOA – HEA Tentative Agreement Assistant Principal

Mr. Petucci moved, seconded by Mr. Lamanna a motion to table HEA Tentative Agreement Contract Extension until after executive session. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0

Superintendent Carney provided updates

Administrative Reports:

Ms. Vogt and Ms. Paragi 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 Mr. Lamanna, 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 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6-26-24)

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS:

Mr. Lamanna moved, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, a motion to table staffing recommendations until after executive session. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0

President Crandall provided updates and reminded the BOE the reorganizational meeting and regular meeting would be July 10

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. 6:0 in favor; Motion Carried.

Executive Session:

The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:10 p.m.

The Board exited Executive Session at 9:37 p.m.

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to remove from the table Staffing Recommendations.

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0

Upon recommendations of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE approved the following personnel action 5:0:1

Non-Teaching Appointment:

Name: Caiola, Maria E.
Position: Internal Claims Auditor
Location: District Wide
Effective: July 9, 2024

Name: Laporte, Hilary
Position: Typist
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: June 20, 2024

Teaching Appointment:

NAME: Clark, Joseph
TENURE AREA(s): General Science 7-12
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: August 29, 2024
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: August 28, 2028
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 three (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 29, 2024
SALARY: Step 1 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

NAME: Robinson, Ashley
TENURE AREA(s): Childhood Education 1-6
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: August 29, 2024
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: August 28, 2028
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 three (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 29, 2024
SALARY: Step 14 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

NAME: Thorp, Kelley
TENURE AREA(s): School Psychologist
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: August 5, 2024
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: August 4, 2028
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 three (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 5, 2024
SALARY: Step 22 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

NAME: Zupan, Kristie
TENURE AREA(s): Physical Education
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: August 29, 2024
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: August 28, 2028
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 three (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 29, 2024
SALARY: Step 5 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Teaching Appointments:

Name: Belisle, Morgan
Position: .66 Spanish
Location: Jr/Sr High School
Effective Date: August 29, 2024 – June 30, 2024
Salary: Step 10* (prorated) *2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Meyer, Chanel
Position: .4 Spanish
Location: Jr/Sr High School
Effective Date: August 29, 2024 – June 30, 2024
Salary: Step 5* (prorated) *2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Steele, Alan
Position: .5 Driver’s Education Teacher
Location: Jr./Sr. High School
Effective Date: August 29, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Salary: Step 14* (prorated) *2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Summer School Teaching Appointments: (Daily Rate equal to 1/200th of the 15th Step)

All teaching assignments are pending student enrollment; July 15, 2024 – August 2, 2024

NAME: Melissa Brown
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Classroom Teacher

NAME: Heather Denton
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Classroom Teacher

NAME: Amanda Johnson
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Classroom Teacher

NAME: Shelley Kirkpatrick
DAYS WORKED: 10 Days
POSITION: Drama

NAME: Debra Knowlton
DAYS WORKED: 10 Days
POSITION: Drama

NAME: Barbara Macri
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Classroom Teacher

NAME: Marissa Maldonado
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Classroom Teacher

NAME: Dawn McCumber
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Classroom Teacher

NAME: Alyson Ratcliffe
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Classroom Teacher

NAME: Stacy Richard
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Speech Therapist

NAME: Kristin Stallman
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Classroom Teacher

NAME: Rachel Waseleski
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: STEM

NAME: Heather WheelerStapf
DAYS WORKED: 5 Days
POSITION: Art

Summer School Substitute Teaching Appointments: (Daily Rate equal to 1/200th of the 15th Step)

NAME: Meghan Beyel
POSITION: Substitute Teacher

NAME: Samantha Kuyrkendall
POSITION: Substitute Teacher

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

All assignments are pending student enrollment; July 15, 2024 – August 2, 2024

NAME: Beatriz Barreto
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Licensed Teacher Assistant

NAME: Debbie Briggs
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Licensed Teacher Assistant

NAME: Sandhya Farrington
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: RN

NAME: Shannon Grainer
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Licensed Teacher Assistant

NAME: Karen Harris
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Teacher Aide

NAME: Karlie Helmer
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Licensed Teacher Assistant

NAME: Janice Wenke
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Licensed Teacher Assistant

NAME: Lynn White
DAYS WORKED: 15 Days
POSITION: Occupational Therapist

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

NAME: Shontasia Giles
POSITION: Substitute Licensed Teacher Assistant

NAME: Brenda Hysack
POSITION: Substitute LPN

Teaching Summer Appointments:

Name: Clark, Joseph
Position: Summer Curriculum Work
Effective Date: July 1, 2024 – August 28, 2024
Salary: Per 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Robinson, Ashley
Position: Summer Curriculum Work
Effective Date: July 1, 2024 – August 28, 2024
Salary: Per 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Zupan, Kristie
Position: Summer Curriculum Work
Effective Date: July 1, 2024 – August 28, 20024
Salary: Per 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Non-Teaching Summer Appointments:

Name: Stapf, Abigail
Position: Summer Help
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: July 1, 2024 – August 28, 2024 (up to 20 hours per week)
Salary: $15 an hour

Name: Stapf, Victoria
Position: Summer Help
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: July 1, 2024 – August 28, 2024 (up to 20 hours per week)*
Salary: $15 an hour

*Pending fingerprinting clearance

Coaching Recommendation:

2024-2025 Fall Interscholastic Coaching Appointment*:

Name: Steele, Zachary
Appointment: Varsity Football Head Coach
Salary: $4,300

Name: Appley, Daniel
Appointment: Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Salary: $2,550

Name: Luppino, Rocco
Appointment: Modified Football Head Coach
Salary: $2,300

Name: Richard, Stacy
Appointment: Varsity Cheerleading Coach
Salary: $2,300

Name: Garrett, Patrick
Appointment: Girls Varsity Soccer Coach
Salary: $3,500

Name: Nare, Jennette
Appointment: Girls Modified Soccer Coach
Salary: $2,100

Name: Rosenburgh, Chester
Appointment: Boys Varsity Soccer Coach
Salary: $3,500

Name: Judd, Ryan
Appointment: Boys Modified Soccer Coach
Salary: $2,100

Name: Clarke, Scott
Appointment: Varsity/Modified Cross Country Coach
Salary: $3,500

Name: Beardsley, Sarah
Appointment: Cross Country Assistant Coach
Salary: $2,250

*Conditioned upon a sufficient number of schools participating to merit a season with sufficient student participation to field a team

2024-2025 Spring Interscholastic Unpaid Coaching Appointments:

Steele, Tyler – Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Watkins, Matthew – Varsity Football Assistant Coach

Administrative Internship Appointments:

Name: Kirkpatrick, Brenna
Position: Administrative Intern
Effective Date: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
(Pending number of hours accumulated)

Name: Lamanna, Sara
Position: Administrative Intern
Effective Date: July 1, 2024 – December 30, 2024
(Pending number of hours accumulated)

Name: McCutcheon, Heather
Position: Administrative Intern
Date: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 (Pending number of hours accumulated)

Substitute School Psychologist:

Name: Goldman, Andrew
Position: School Psychologist
Effective Date: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Salary: Per Payment Guidelines for Substitutes

Child Care Leave Request:

Heuser, Madison: Music Education
Location: Jr/Sr High School
Effective: June 11, 2024 – June 26, 2024

MOA – HEA Tentative Agreement Assistant Principal

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to remove from the table the HEA Tentative Agreement for Assistant Principal.

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves the Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Herkimer Central School District (HCSD) and the Herkimer Education Association (HEA) as presented;

WHEREAS, the parties enter into this agreement effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2028; 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 6-26-24)

HEA Tentative Agreement Contract Extension

Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded a motion to remove from the table the HEA Tentative Agreement Contract Extension.

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0

Ms. Petucci moved, and Mr. Verenich seconded the following Board resolution contingent on language change:

“WHEREAS the negotiating teams for the Herkimer CSD and the Herkimer Education Association (HEA) employee’s unit executed a Tentative Agreement on June 14, 2024, calling for a four-year collectively negotiated agreement; and

“WHEREAS legislative approval is required by the Board of Education (BOE) in order to implement the funding of said Agreement;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby accepts the Tentative Agreement between the Herkimer CSD and the Herkimer Education Association (HEA) covering the period from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2028, and authorizes the funding of those monies necessary to implement the provision of the collectively negotiated agreement; 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 6-26-24)

Adjournment:

On a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, and seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 9:40 p.m. All voted in favor 6:0

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Gina A. McKernan
District Clerk