Aug. 12, 2020, Board of Education meeting

The regular meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. at the Herkimer Jr. / Sr. High School Cafeteria by President Brian Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

President Crandall explained the BOE 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 comment was heard.

Approval of the Agenda

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

Board Communication

Superintendent Miller indicated that the Board received several informational items that were not included in their Board pack for information only and noted they will be referred to later in the meeting.

Ms. Gilbert moved and Ms. Bray seconded a motion to place all appropriate Board Communications on file with the District Clerk. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.

Approval of the Minutes

Ms. Bray moved and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to formally approve the Regular Board of Education Meeting minutes from Wednesday, July 22, 2020.  Ms. Lewis abstaining, motion carried 6:0:1.

Business Reports

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Fischer the BOE accepted receipt of the July Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, General Warrant totaling $1,062,324.12, Capital Warrant totaling $12,959.25, Trust and Agency Warrant totaling $217,200.25, and one Budget Transfer under the $5,000 total. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplement packet dated 8-12-22]

Budget Transfers Over

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, seconded, Ms. Gilbert the BOE approved the End of Year 2019-2020 Budget Transfers over totaling $694,257.25. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.  [Material filed in the supplement packed dated 8-12-22]

Tax Warrant Resolution

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE formally authorized the 2020-2021 School Tax Warrant in the amount of $9,451,000. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material files in the supplement packet dated 8-12-20].

Donation to the school

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Bray, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved the following 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 Code A2705 and to increase the Appropriation Code A2855.450.H for an undisclosed amount donated from the Edwin J. Wadas Foundation, Inc. to enhance athletic programs.

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplement packet dated 8-12-20].

Simply Special Learning Center, LLC Agreement

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Bray seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE approved the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, the Herkimer CSD has the need for an independent contractor to perform educational and therapeutic services set forth herein and enters into such an agreement with Simply Special Learning Center, LLC during the 2020 – 2021 school year for (1) Non- Public Student and (2) two in the Home Instruction Program ; and,

WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to enter into this agreement for the 2020- 2021 school year; per terms and conditions of the agreement.”

A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material files in the supplement packet dated 8-12-20].

Superintendent’s Reports

Superintendent Miller outlined with the BOE the new requirements relating to the school re-opening plans. He also informed the Board per the Governors instructions there will be three online informational sessions for parents. On Monday, August 17, 2020 the informal session will be for High School parents, on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 it will be for Middle School parents and on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 it will be for the Elementary school parents. A forum for staff is being planned on Thursday, August 20, 2020. The link for these livestreamed forums will be provided on the district website.

Staffing Recommendations

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved the following personnel actions:

WHEREAS, the Herkimer CSD has determined that for reasons of economy and efficiency, it is necessary to abolish a certain position;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:

Music Teacher

  1. A position or positions in the following tenure area are hereby abolished, effective August 31, 2020
  2. It is determined that the following person has the least seniority within this title: Lily Corathers.
  3. It is determined that the above does not have seniority rights in any additional title and thus has no right to transfer to a different title.
  4. It is determined that the above identified person shall be, and hereby is placed on a preferred eligible list.

The Superintendent of schools is hereby directed and authorized to implement these changes in accordance with the Education Laws and applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Teaching Resignation:

Name: Johnson, Marie

Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant (HES)

Effective Date: August 11, 2020

Teaching Appointment: 

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.

Name: Paul, Heather

Tenure Area: School Counselor

Effective Date:  September 1, 2020

Salary: Step 12 per the 2020- 2021 HFA Contract

Name: Piazza, Gloria

Tenure Area: Students with Disabilities (Grade 1-6)

Effective Date: September 1, 2020

Salary: Step 13 per the 2020- 2021 HFA Contract

Non- Teaching Appointment:

Name: Sweeney, Joanna

Position: Full-Time LPN

Location: Jr. /Sr. High School

Effective Probationary Period: September 1, 2020 – March 1, 2021

Salary: $17.00/ hr.

Informational Purpose Only

 

2020- 2021 Student Placement:

Student Teacher:             Howard, Noah [Utica College]

Certification Area:                    Secondary Social Studies

Cooperating Teacher:                Mr. Nick Sheldon (Sept- Oct)

Location:                               Herkimer High School

Effective:                              September 1, 2020 – December 17, 2020

Board of Education Reports

Policy Review

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, to approve the following 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 policy # 6303 Leaves of Absence for COVID-19 Qualifying Reasons, and Regulation #1001.2 Facilities Use- COVID -19 recommended by the Policy Committee to wit; and,

WHEREAS, the BOE wishes to adopt the following policies recommended by the Policy Committee, to wit, suggestions were sent to the Policy Service to accept revisions and to adopt the following policies: # 7304 Jr./Sr. High School Academic Eligibility, Regulation #7304.1, #7402 Supervision of Students, #7500 Education Records, Regulations #7500.1, #7500.2, #7500.3, #7500.4, #7501 Parental Access to Instructional Materials, 3rd Party Surveys and Marketing Surveys, Regulation #7501.1, #7600 Providing a Safe Public School  Choice to Students who have been Victims of a violent criminal offense, #7601 Concussion Management Protocol, Regulations #7601.1, #7601.2, #7601.3; and

WHEREAS, the BOE also wishes to delete the following policies recommended by the Policy Service: # 7500 Education Records, #7502 School Safety and Educational Climate Reporting, #7401 Loss or Destruction of Property of Resources; and,

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 policies, incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting.

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Materials filed in supplement packet dated 8-12-20].

Future Meeting Updates

The next scheduled BOE meeting will be on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 6 p.m.

The policy committee will meet again on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 5 p.m.

On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Ms. Bray, the BOE entered into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing litigation and negotiations with HFA. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.

Executive Session

The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:00 p.m.

The Board exited Executive Session at 8:28 p.m.

Board Action

A motion made by Mr. Lewis, and seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE approved the extension of contracts of the District Treasurer/ Transportation Coordinator, and the Secretary of the Superintendent through June 30, 2023 as presented. Mr. Petucci abstained; motion carried 6:0:1.

Adjournment

On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Mihevc the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 8:30 p.m. All voted in favor 7:0.

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