The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. at the Herkimer Jr/Sr High School Media Cafeteria by President Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
This meeting was open to the public, but in accordance with current regulations, attendance will be virtual only. The public may view the meeting live via a web link on the district’s website, www.herkimercsd.org. A recording and transcript from the meeting will also be made available following the meeting.
President Crandall explained due to the current circumstances in our community regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, our Board of Education meetings are being conducted virtually. Because of this, members of the public who wished to submit a comment for the Board of Education meeting had the opportunity to email cczerwinski@herkimercsd.org prior to the meeting. President Crandall also 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:
The Board of Education heard no comments from the public.
Approval of the Agenda:
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Board Communication:
The Board of Education reviewed the Herkimer BOCES meeting minutes from February 11, 2021. Superintendent Miller indicated that the Board received several informational items that were not included in their Board packet for information only and noted they will be referred to later in the meeting. Ms. Gilbert moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to place all appropriate Board Communications on file with the District Clerk. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Approval of the Minutes:
Ms. Fischer moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to formally approve the Regular Board of Education Meeting minutes from Wednesday, March 17, 2021. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to formally approve the Special Board of Education Meeting minutes from Thursday, March 25, 2021. Mr. Petucci was absent from that meeting and abstained from voting. Motion carried 5:0:1.
Birnie Bus Presentation
Paul D’Aiuto and Rocky Corigliano of Birnie Bus presented an overview of their company and their commitment to the Herkimer Central School District. They explained their driver recruitment and selection process, background checks and drug testing policies and driver training programs within their company.
Business Report:
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer seconded by Mr. Gilbert, the BOE accepts receipt of the Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, General Warrant totaling $1,358,331.37, Capital Warrant totaling $622,471.94, Federal Warrant totaling $21,940.00, Trust and Agency Warrant totaling $657,439.64 the March Exceptions Report and Capital Project Change Order Updates. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 04-14-21)
Budget Transfers Over:
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE approved six (6) budget transfers over the $5,000 limit totaling $355,000.00. All voted in favor; motion carried 6-0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 04-14-21)
Donation to School Resolution:
Ms. Fischer moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded to accept/approve 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 increase Revenue A2705 and to increase the Appropriation Code A2110 450H by $500.00 to benefit the Herkimer Central School District Art Program.
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 04-14-21)
Standard Work Day Resolution
Ms. Fischer moved and Mr. Lewis seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves the Standard Work Day as per attached revised NYS Local Retirement System Standard Work Day form RS 2418 for the 2020-2021 school year, based upon information provided to the BOE and placed on file as follows (See Standard Work Day form.).”
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 04-14-21)
2021-2022 Adoption of Operations Budget/Board Vote
Ms. Gilbert moved and Ms. Fischer 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 adopt the 2021-2022 Operations Budget in the amount of $26,414,000.00 to be presented to district residents for a formal vote on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 04-14-21)
2021-2022 Property Tax Report Card Adoption
Mr. Lewis moved and Ms. Fischer seconded to accept/approve the following Board resolution:
“RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby authorize the Superintendent of Schools to submit and certify the property tax report card to the State Education Department (SED) for the 2021-2022 school year”.
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 04-14-21)
Moric Multi-Year Purchase Agreement Resolution
Mr. Petucci moved and Ms. Fischer seconded to accept/approve the following Board resolution:
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District desires to enter into a 5 year contract with the Madison-Oneida BOCES in order for the Regional Information Center to furnish certain services to the District pursuant to Education Law 1950(4)(jj), those services being: CoSer 602-7710 Administrative Computer Services.
NOW, THEREFORE, it isRESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District agrees to enter into a contract with the Madison-Oneida BOCES for the provision of said services to the District not to exceed $111,768.68 plus related borrowing fees, plus yearly Regional Information Center support during the term of this contract, finalized by the Superintendent, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Education, for a period of 5 year(s); 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25.
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 04-14-21)
Superintendent Report
See the budget presentation here (PDF)
School Reopening Plan
Mr. Abbe and Ms. Tomaso discussed the reopening plan to bring students back to school full time on Monday, April 26, 2021. They stated that their design of the schedule that has been followed since September, has helped with the reopening. Mr. Abbe mentioned that Grades 7 & 8 will not have in-person physical education or music upon returning and that although there will be some transportation issues, he is confident that they will be able to work through them. Ms. Tomaso stated that health and physical education will still be remote only for high school students. She discussed that a block 6 will be used when schedules/classes cannot be combined or as a credit recovery if needed for certain students. They both stated that bringing students back full time will increase time with their teachers, and that is important for academic success. It was decided that there will be a public forum on Monday, April 19, 2021 at 6:30 to discuss the reopening plan and an opportunity to address any questions the community may have. A brief discussion followed.
Staffing Recommendations
Mr. Petucci moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded the motion to table agenda item 7b. Staffing Recommendations until after Executive Session. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
CSE/CPSE Program / Placement Recommendations
Upon recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Petucci, 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 04-14-2021)
2021-2022 Non-Public Transportation Requests
Upon a recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved the transportation requests received from Christian Heritage School and St. Francis de Sales Regional Catholic School for the 2021-2022 school year as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 04-14-2021)
Board of Education Reports:
BOCES Board/Budget Vote Resolution
Ms. Gilbert moved and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby authorize the District Clerk to cast one vote on the Herkimer Fulton Hamilton Otsego BOCES Administrative Budget as presented for the 2021-2022 school year and cast three votes for BOCES Board of Education members.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
On a motion made by Ms. Fischer and seconded by Mr. Lewis, the Board of Education voted in favor of the 2021-2022 BOCES Administrative budget, and voted for each of the three board candidates. All voted in favor; Motion carried 6:0.
President’s Update
President Crandall discussed attending the BOCES Executive meeting and spoke of the various artwork that was on display. They are conducting their meetings in a hybrid format but hope that next year they will be meeting in person. A question was brought up about livestreaming football games and Mr. Orilio mentioned possibly having to rely on hotspots. A brief discussion followed. Ms. Gilbert mentioned that she was pleased that we were able to offer our students a life skills class.
Future Meeting Dates/Agenda Items:
The next scheduled BOE meeting will be the budget hearing on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 6 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. high school cafeteria or via livestream.
Meeting Evaluation:
Ms. Lewis, this evening’s meeting evaluator, presented her review of the April 14, 2021, Board of Education meeting.
Ms. Gilbert moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the promotion/retention of particular personnel. 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 8:15 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 9:06 p.m.
Mr. Petucci moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to remove from the table, agenda item 7.b. Staffing Recommendations. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved the following personnel actions as presented as Staffing Recommendation 1. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0:
Staffing Recommendations:
Teaching Tenure Appointments:
Name: Bello, Brianne
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Location: Jr./Sr. High School
Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
Prob. Period Served: 9/1/17 – 6/30/21
Effective Date: September 1, 2021
Name: Briggs, Debbie
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Location: Elementary School
Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
Prob. Period Served: 10/11/17 – 6/30/21
Effective Date: October 12, 2021
Name: Caiola, Brittany
Position: Elementary Education
Location: Elementary School
Tenure Area: Elementary Education
Prob. Period Served: 9/1/17 – 6/30/21
Effective Date: September 1, 2021
Name: Crandall, Jenna
Position: Elementary Education
Location: Elementary School
Tenure Area: Elementary Education
Prob. Period Served: 9/1/17 – 6/30/21
Effective Date: September 1, 2021
Name: Gordon, Terry
Position: Music Education
Location: Jr./Sr. High School
Tenure Area: K-12 Music
Prob. Period Served: 9/1/17 – 6/30/21
Effective Date: September 1, 2021
Name: Jones, Brooke
Position: Secondary English
Location: Jr./Sr. High School
Tenure Area: 7-12 English
Prob. Period Served: 7/1/17 – 6/30/21
Effective Date: September 1, 2021
Name: Jones, Brooke
Position: Special Education
Location: Jr./Sr. High School
Tenure Area: Secondary Special Education
Prob. Period Served: 10/4/17 – 6/30/21
Effective Date: October 5, 2021
Name: Murphy, Cody
Position: Physical Education
Location: Jr./Sr. High School
Tenure Area: Physical Education
Prob. Period Served: 9/1/17 – 6/30/21
Effective Date: September 1, 2021
Name: Peckham, Kimberly
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Location: Elementary School
Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
Prob. Period Served: 9/1/17 – 6/30/21
Effective Date: September 1, 2021
Maternity-Leave Request:
Name: McGovern, Alexis
Position: Elementary Special Education
Effective on or before: May 23, 2021
Anticipated leave approximately 6-12 weeks; pending physician’s release.
Maternity-Leave Request:
Name: Lesniak, Katherine
Position: Elementary Teacher (4th Grade)
Effective on or before: May 25, 2021
Anticipated leave approximately 6-12 weeks; pending physician’s release.
Retired Substitute Appointment:
Name: Jones, Marianne
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: April 14, 2021 – June 30, 2021
Salary: Based on Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitutes
Coaching Recommendations:
2020-2021 Fall II Interscholastic Unpaid Coaching Appointment:
Scherer, Mitchell – Modified Football Unpaid Assistant
2020-2021 Spring Interscholastic Unpaid Coaching Appointment:
Alexander, Jason – Varsity Baseball Unpaid Assistant
Perry, Keaton – Varsity Softball Unpaid Assistant
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved the following personnel actions as presented as Staffing Recommendation 2:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District, does hereby approve an extension of the probationary period of Marissa Maldonado, Elementary Teacher to September 1, 2022.” All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved the following personnel actions as presented as Staffing Recommendation 3:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District, does hereby approve an extension of the probationary period of Bridgett Manley, School Counselor to July 15, 2022.” All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0
Adjournment: On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 9:06 p.m. All voted in favor 6:0.