Aug. 14, 2019, Board of Education minutes

The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. Media Center by President Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

President Crandall welcomed members in the audience and staff members to this evening’s meeting.  He informed the Board that Mr. Petucci and Ms. Fischer were unable to attend due to work commitments.

President Crandall explained to all that the Board of Education sets aside time at each Board meeting to give those in the audience an opportunity to address the Board directly on any subject they wished to discuss.

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 Comment was heard.

Approval of the Agenda

Ms. Herringshaw moved and Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

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 Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to place all appropriate Board Communications on file with the District Clerk. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

Board Recognitions

Superintendent Miller and several Board members provided the following recognitions:

  • Congratulations to the cast and crew of the musical Sister Act.
  • HHS students: Abigail Stapf; Rylee Crandall, Emily Salamon and Ella Wilcox were acknowledged for taking part in the 4th Annual STEAM leadership conference. The theme of this year’s conference was “Colonizing & Exploring Mars.”

Approval of the Minutes:

Ms. Gilbert moved and Ms. Herringshaw seconded a motion to formally approve the School Board Workshop Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, July 31, 2019, as presented as well as the School Board Special Meeting minutes of Friday August 2, 2019. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

Capital Construction Project Update

Dennis Hathaway, Clerk of the Works, provided the Board of Education with a progress report on the Phase #3 2014 Capital Project. Discussion Followed.

Business Reports

Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Ms. Herringshaw, the BOE accepted receipt of the Treasurer’s Report, Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, General Warrant, Capital Warrant, Federal Warrant, Trust and Agency Warrant, Exceptions Report, June 2019 HHS/HES Extra- Curricular Treasurer’s Report. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.  [Material files in the supplement packet dated 8/14/19].

Budget Transfers

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE approved budget transfer over as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. [Material files in the supplemental packet dated 8-14-19].

Tax Warrant Resolution

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Herringshaw, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE to formally authorize the 2019-2020 School Tax Warrant in the total sum of $9,045,000 (this is the total Levy with Star) and public library tax in the sum of $323,855 in the same manner that collectors are authorized to collect town and county taxes in accordance with the provisions of Section 1318 of the Real Property Tax law.

All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. [Material filed in Supplemental Packet dated 8/14/19].

Gift(s) to the School:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, Mr. Lewis moved and Ms. Herringshaw seconded the following Board rescinded resolution:

WHEREAS, on July 10, 2019 the Board of Education approved a resolution to accept a donation in the amount of $500 to be gifted to the school; and

“WHEREAS, the Board of Education rescinds the Gift to the School that was previously approved during the July 10, 2019 BOE meeting;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the funds were for the National Honor Society Induction dinner and needed to flow through the Herkimer Extra Curricular Account.

All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 8/14/19.]

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered Mr. Lewis who moved its adoption and seconded by Ms. Herringshaw, to wit:

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 $2,500.00 through the Walmart Community Grants Team for the purpose of  School Supplies.

All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 8/14/19.]

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the following resolution was offered by Ms. Mihevc and seconded by Ms. Gilbert to wit:

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 $1,759.23 through the Class of 1969 for the purpose of 2 Picnic Tables to use on the High School grounds.

All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 8/14/19.]

Disposal of Surplus of Items

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved to dispose of several items listed on Exhibit A which is no longer useful or necessary for the school district purposes and of no value to the Herkimer CSD. Discussion followed.  All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. [Material filed in the supplemental packet dated 8/14/19.]

2019-2020 BOCES Contracts for Rental Agreement

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Herringshaw, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE authorized the Board President and Board Clerk to enter into the 2019-2020 BOCES Contract for Rental of facilities as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. [Material filed in supplemental packet dated 8/14/19].

Athletic Physical Therapy Contract

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Ms. Herringshaw, BOE authorized the Board President to sign on behalf of the District for a one year agreement as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. [Material filed in the supplemental packed dated 8/14/19].

District and Building Level Safety Plan Resolution

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE hereby adopts the District-wide and Building Level Safety Plan for the State Education Department. Discussion Followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

Business/ Superintendent Updates

Superintendent Miller wanted to thank the maintenance and operation folks for the hard work they have done this summer cleaning and maintain our facilities, as well as getting our schools ready for upcoming school year. Our facility and staff have also been hard at work providing summer services at the Elementary School and review and curriculum development at the Jr. Sr. High School. We have hired over 10 new teachers to our 2019-2020 school year.

Our independent auditors are onsite this week to complete the annual audit. We closed our books last week and our ending portion for the 2018-2019 was right where we expected it to be.

Superintendent’s Report

Administrative Reports

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

Staffing Recommendations

Mr. Mihevc moved and Ms. Herringshaw seconded a motion to table agenda item 9.b.Staffing Recommendations until after an executive session. All in favor; motion carried 5:0.

CSE/CPSE Program/ Placement Recommendations

Upon recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Lewis, 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 5:0.

APPR Lead Evaluator/ Evaluators Certification [Teachers]

Upon the recommendation from Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered by Ms. Herringshaw who moved its adoption and seconded by Mr. Mihevc to wit:

RESOLVED, that the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education acknowledges that Robert J. Miller, Mary Tomaso, Renee Vogt, Cristi Paragi, Zachary Abbe, and Michelle Ploss have completed NYS Education Department Training as lead evaluator/evaluators for teachers trained by Assistant Superintendent of the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES for the purposes of Education Law section 3012-d; and the District’s Annual Professional Performance Review Plan.     

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Robert J. Miller, Mary Tomaso, Renee Vogt, Cristi Paragi, Zachary Abbe, and Michelle Ploss are hereby re-certified/ certified as lead evaluator/evaluators for teachers trained for the purposes of Education Law section 3012-d; and the District’s Annual Professional Performance Review Plan [APPR].”

All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

APPR Lead Evaluator/ Evaluators Certification [Principals]

Upon the recommendation from Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered by Ms. Gilbert who moved its adoption and seconded by Ms. Herringshaw to wit:

WHEREAS, that the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education has been provided with evidence that, in accordance with Education Law Section 3012-d, Robert J. Miller has completed training which meets the requirements set forth in Part 30-2.9 of the Rules of the Board of Regents, and the terms of the District’s Annual Professional Performance Review Plan for certification as a Lead Evaluator/ Evaluator of Principals;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Robert J. Miller is hereby re-certified as lead evaluator/evaluator for Principals.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

Annual Guidelines for Substitutes

Upon the recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, and seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE approved the amended copy of the Annual Guidelines for Substitutes.  Discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

Frankfort Schuyler CSD Combining Sports

Upon the recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, and seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby authorized the combining of the Herkimer CSD and the Frankfort-Schuyler CSD Girls Tennis Team.

All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

Board of Education Reports

Policy Review

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Herringshaw, seconded by Mr. Lewis the BOE agreed to waive the customary practice of the first and second readings prior to the adoption. The BOE agreed to adopt policy #4602 Expense Reimbursements and Meals and Refreshments. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

President’s Update

President Crandall informed the BOE that the Elementary Open House is scheduled for Wednesday September 11, 2019.

Future Meeting Updates

Superintendent Miller reminded the BOE that the next regularly scheduled meeting is for Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at 6 p.m.

There will be a Policy Committee Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 18, 2019, starting at 5 p.m.

Meeting Evaluation

Ms. Gilbert was tonight’s meeting evaluator.

On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Lewis the BOE entered into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters leading to hiring, promotion, retention of instructional personnel, and negotiations with the Village on the SRO contract. 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 5:0.

Executive Session

The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:04 p.m.

Mr. Miller left the executive session at 7:40 p.m.

Superintendent Miller joined the BOE in executive session at 7:55 p.m.

President Crandall declared the public meeting reconvened at 8:14 p.m.

Ms. Gilbert moved and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to remove from the table, agenda item 9.b. Staffing Recommendations. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Ms. Herringshaw, the BOE approved the following personnel actions:

Teaching Resignation

Zayas, Brittney, Special Education Teacher, effective September 1, 2019

Non- Teaching Resignation

 Hysack, Brenda, Part-Time LPN, effective August 31, 2019

Assignment Reduction:

Bello, Brianne, Licensed Teaching Assistant (LTA)

Effective Date: September 1, 2019

Salary: 0.6 FTE

Substitute Appointment(s)

  • Bello, Brianne
  • Position: .5 Long Term Substitute
  • Location: Media Center High School
  • Salary: $202.50/day [pro-rated]

  • Cerasi, Jamie
  • Location: Elementary School
  • Effective Date: September 3, 2019

  • Clark, Mary Ellen
  • Position: Substitute Nurse (RN)
  • Effective Date: 2019-2020 School Year
  • Salary: $25.56/ hour

Non- Teaching Appointment:

  • Hysack, Brenda, Full-time LPN (District-Wide)
  • Effective Probationary Period: September 1, 2019 – March 1, 2020
  • Salary: $17.00/hr.

2019-2020 Interscholastic Unpaid Coaching Appointment:

  • Carney, Michael, Unpaid Life-guarding, CPR/AED and First Aid Volunteer Instructor
  • Effective: July 1, 2019- June 30, 2020

Mentor Appointments:

  • Schoff, Debra
  • Salary: $1,200
  • To Mentor: Ellinger, Amberlyn (Classroom Teacher)

  • Knowlton, Debra
  • Salary: $1,200
  • To Mentor: Winkler, Michalyn (Classroom Teacher)

  • Durham- Abounader, Kelli
  • Salary: $1,200
  • To Mentor: Carpineti, Jessica (Social Worker)

  • Kane, Carrie
  • Salary: $1,200
  • To Mentor: Witter, Rachael (Science)

  • Lampert, Caroline
  • Salary: $1,200
  • To Mentor: Steele, Zachary (Social Studies)

  • Steele, Alan
  • Salary: $1,200
  • To Mentor: Jecko, Vanessa (Physical Education)

  • Krause, John
  • Salary: $1,200
  • To Mentor: LaLonde, Jillian (English, Special Education)

  • Lowell, Sylvia
  • Salary: $1,200
  • To Mentor: Schneider, Joshua (Math)

  • Harris, Shannon
  • Salary: $1,200
  • To Mentor: Burdick, Megan (Science)

  • Jory, Cheryl
  • Salary: $1,200
  • To Mentor: Turnbull, Amanda (Long Term Substitute Grade 6)

  • Zorn, Leah
  • Salary: $1,200
  • To Mentor: Baker, Talia (Science, Agriculture, and Technology)

2019-2020 Extra-Curricular Appointments:

  • Corathers, Lily, Elementary Band Advisor
  • Salary: $2,000

Macri, Barb, Elementary Student Council Advisor

Salary: $1,570


  • Olds, Jennifer, Elementary Newspaper Club Advisor
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Wheeler-Staph, Heather, Elementary Art Club Advisor
  • Salary: $ 1,320

  • Denton, Heather, Elementary Yearbook Advisor
  • Salary: $1,650

  • Irizarry, Julie, Elementary Yearbook Assistant
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Peyton, Leah, STEM Club Advisor
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Brown, Melissa, STEM Club Advisor
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Spence, Kelly, STEM Club Advisor
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Carswell, Lisa, STEM Club Advisor
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Jory, Cheryl, 6th Grade Advisor
  • Salary: $1,470

  • Richter, Angela, 8th Grade Advisor
  • Salary: $1,470

  • Bailey, Jennifer, 7th Grade Co-Advisor
  • Salary: $735

  • Reppel, Kerry, 7th Grade Co-Advisor
  • Salary: $735

  • Richter, Angela, 8th Grade Advisor
  • Salary: $1,470

  • McGraw, Dana, Middle School Yearbook
  • Salary: $1,470

  • Harris, Shannon, STEM Co-Advisor
  • Salary: $660

  • Nicklaw, Ryan, STEM Co-Advisor
  • Salary: $660

  • Reppel, Kerry, Friends of Rachel
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Lowell, Sylvia, Lego League Advisor
  • Salary: $1,300

  • Nicklaw, Ryan, Lego League Advisor
  • Salary: $1,300

  • McGraw, Dana, Pep Club Advisor
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Krause, John, Fall Theatrical Production
  • Salary: $1,650

  • White, Holly, FCCLA Advisor
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Zorn, Leah, Art Club Co-Advisor
  • Salary: $660

  • McCutcheon, Heather, Art Club Co-Advisor
  • Salary: $660

  • Lanza, Kim, Intramural Director
  • Salary: $1,320

  • White, Holly, GSA Advisor
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Scalise, Laura, Sr. High School Council Advisor
  • Salary: $2,250

  • Jones, Brooke, Sr. High Student Council Assistant
  • Salary: $1,650

  • Smith, Kristin, Sr. Class Advisor
  • Salary: $2,020

  • McCutcheon, Heather, Jr. Class Advisor
  • Salary: $1,470

  • Elias, Melissa, Sophomore Class Advisor
  • Salary: $1,470

  • Gordon, Terry, Sr. High Band Director (Jazz)
  • Salary: $1,650

  • Orilio, Ryan, Yearbook/Technical Advisor
  • Salary: $2,250

  • Bello, Brianne, Yearbook/Financial Advisor
  • Salary: $2,250

  • Krause, John, Spring Theatrical Director
  • Salary: $ 2,250

  • Hernandez, Caitlin, Language Club
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Sheldon, Nicholas, UN Club Advisor
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Dunham-Aboundar, Kelli, Outdoors Club Advisor
  • Salary:  $1,320

  • Lampert, Caroline, Senior National Honor Society
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Manning-Hayes, Susan, Junior National Honor Society
  • Salary: $1,320

  • Bello, Brianna, SADD Advisor
  • Salary: $1,320

All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.

On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Lewis the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 8:16 p.m. All voted in favor; 5:0.

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