The regular meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria by Board President Brian Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
President Crandall welcomed members in the audience, staff members and Stephanie Sorrell-White, a reporter from the Times Telegram to this evening’s meeting.
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 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 Comments
No public comments were heard.
Approval of the Agenda
Mr. Petucci moved and Ms. Giffune seconded a motion to formally approve the meeting agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
Board Communications
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.
Mr. Conley moved and Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to place all appropriate Board Communications on file with the District Clerk. All voted in favor, motion carried 7:0.
Superintendent Miller and several BOE members provided the following Board Recognitions:
- Mr. Conley, Ms. Gilbert, Mr. Mihevc and Superintendent Miller received SBI Recognition.
Approval of the Minutes
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Conley, seconded by Ms. Giffune the BOE approved the School Board Workshop meeting minutes of Wednesday, August 1, 2018, as presented. All voted in favor with Mrs. Fischer abstaining; motion carried 6:0:1.
School Resource Officer Update
Chief Michael Jory and School Resource Officer Matt Wright
President Crandall introduced Chief Jory and Officer Wright who provided the BOE with a brief update on the new web-based software package which has been implemented. They thanked the BOE for their continued support in working together to make our schools a safe environment for students and staff.
President Crandall thanked Chief Jory and Officer Wright for coming to this evening’s meeting. The BOE looks forward to hearing more about SRO program at a future meeting date.
Business Reports
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert seconded by Mrs. Fischer, the BOE accepted receipt of the following reports for the month of June 2018: General Warrant, which represents 121 checks with payments totaling $3,424,074.59, a Federal Warrant, which represents nine (9) checks with payments totaling $4,633.53; a Capital Warrant, which represents eight (8) checks with a payment totaling $162,883.00; the Trust and Agency Warrant, which covers items dealing with payroll [insurance, withholdings, etc.], totaled $1,690,888.47, the HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Treasurer report for June 2018, along with nine (9) budget transfers under the $5,000 limit totaling $22,097.62. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/15/18]
The BOE acknowledged receipt of Ms. Hein’s, Claims Auditor report, for the month of June & July in which seven (7) exceptions were noted which has been corrected and payments had been made.
Budget Transfers
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Conley seconded by Mrs. Fischer the BOE approved four (4) budget transfers totaling $454,113.63 as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/15/18.]
Approval of Tax Levy
Superintendent Miller shared information provided by Mrs. Frasier relating to the 2018-2019 tax rates. Based on the Final Assessed Values and Levy, the calculated tax rate for the Town of Herkimer is $25.837481 per thousand dollars of assessed value. This is an increase in the rate of $1.034935 per thousand dollars of assessed value.
Discussion followed. Mrs. Fischer moved and Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to formally authorize the 2018-2019 School Tax Levy in the amount of $8,845,000.00, which represents a 0.96% tax levy increase. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
2018-2019 School Tax Warrant
Superintendent Miller presented a resolution prepared by Mrs. Frasier to the BOE to approve the 2018-2019 School Tax Warrant as follows:
Town and Village of Herkimer
- School levy: $8,559,228.01
- Library levy: $304,263.38
Town of Little Falls
- School levy: $285,771.99
- Library levy: $10,158.62
Totals
- Total school levy: $8,845,000.00
- Total library levy: $314,422.00
- Total tax warrant: $9,159,422.00
Discussion followed. Mrs. Fischer moved and Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to formally authorize the 2018-2019 School Tax Warrant in the amount of $9,159,422.00, as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/15/18.]
3-Year School Bus Agreement
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Conley who moved its adoption and seconded by Mrs. Fischer, to accept the 3-Year Agreement between Birnie Bus Service, Inc., and the Herkimer CSD as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/15/18.]
Disposal of Surplus Items
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Conley, seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE approved to dispose of several items per memorandum from Ms. Tomaso as presented which are no longer used, and have no value to the district. Discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/15/18.]
2018-2019 Upstate Cerebral Palsy Agreement
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mrs. Fischer, seconded by Ms. Giffune, to accept the agreement between the Upstate Cerebral Palsy and the Herkimer CSD for the 2018-2019 school year as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/15/18.]
Superintendent’s Update
- Superintendent Miller thanked the maintenance and operation staff for their efforts this summer getting ready for the 2018-2019 school year. We are on track for opening day.
- School will resume for faculty on September 4, 2018, with students returning September 5, 2018. He is looking forward to the start of the year and the return of students to school even as our athletes have already begun another fall season.
- Major changes can be seen in the district budget coding in response to the new rules for building level reporting. This will require a large number of transfers this year, and we are in the process of redesigning the budget information pages to the new coding system.
- Two teaching vacancies are left to fill: French and secondary special education. We are working on a plan to potentially shift away from two foreign languages moving forward.
- Our Pre-grant, Special Ed grants and VP Tech grants have been submitted for 2018-19. The ESSA grants were late in being finalized by the State, but we are on track to submit them on time.
- We have met with the Herkimer County Jail personnel as we begin to initiate the Incarcerated Youth program for Herkimer CSD independent of BOCES.
- The pool awaits inspection from the Department of Health and will be operational for the first day of school. The camera system and security upgrades associated with our smart bond project are under way and should be complete by opening day. The State just approved the 2018-19 Capital Outlay Project, and Phase III of the 2014 Project is nearly through the approval process.
- The District has been working with our fiscal planners on the timing of the 2018 Capital Project. A draft proposed timeline calls for a vote in mid-December. Our plan calls for the consumption of about $1.8 million in fund balance and reserves over the next three years which will stabilize our long-term debt service payments. The plan calls for a tax levy limit override in 2020-21 when we will remove our local exemptions from the levy limit calculation and establish a Capital Reserve Plan which will allow the district to create budget neutral and tax neutral budgets moving forward with modest 2 or 3% increases in State Aid and tax levies under the levy limit.
- The Policy Committee and Building Committee met prior to the BOE meeting. Looking to schedule a Safety Committee meeting prior to the September 26 meeting. We should look to schedule a Town, Village and School Intergovernmental meeting in September as well.
- The next Negotiations Committee will meet August 21, 2018.
- The School Report Card was discussed with the BOE.
Administrative Reports (End-of-Year Reports)
Ms. Tomaso, Mrs. Vogt and Ms. Paragi reports were reviewed with the BOE. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/15/18.]
Staffing Recommendations
Superintendent Miller formally presented several staffing recommendations for Board consideration.
Mr. Conley moved and Mrs. Fischer seconded a motion to approve the following personnel actions:
Teaching Resignation/Retirement
- Name: Ruggiero, Karen
- Position: Elementary Special Education
- Location: Elementary School
- Effective: September 5, 2018
NOTE: The BOE will accept the retirement letter of Karen Ruggiero under the terms and conditions of the Herkimer Faculty Association (HFA) Contract.
- Name: Neverusky-Brindeau, Michelle
- Position: Foreign Language 7-12 French
- Location: Jr./Sr. High School
- Effective: July 31, 2018
Teaching Appointments
| Name | Position | Effective date | 4-year probationary period | Salary |
| Hohall, Kristin Conditional upon DASA certification | LTA | 09-01-18 | 09-01-18 – 06-30-2022 | $23,500 |
| Wenke, Janice Conditional upon DASA certification | LTA | 09-01-18 | 09-01-18 – 06-30-2022 | $23,500 |
| Carney, Jordyn | LTA | 09-01-18 | 09-01-18 – 06-30-2022 | $23,500 |
2018-2019 Mentor Appointments
| Name | Position | $ amount |
| Olds, Jennifer | Mentor | $1200 |
| Judd, Ryan (classroom teacher) | Mentee | |
| Fobare, Alexis (pending completion of training on 8-17-18) | Mentor | $1200 |
| Zayas, Brittany (special education teacher | Mentee | |
| Stallman, Kristin | Mentor | $1200 |
| Jones, Michelle (classroom teacher) | Mentee | |
| Steele, Alan | Mentor | $1200 |
| McClure, Tracy (physical education) | Mentee | |
| Snyder, Lynn | Mentor | $1200 |
| Futscher, James (special education) | Mentee | |
| Potaczala, Shannon | Mentor | $1200 |
| Svereika, Susan (science) | Mentee |
Home Tutor Appointment
Lockwood, Teresa, Tutorial Services, District-wide
Effective: September 1, 2018 for the 2018-2019 school year; as needed.
Salary: $25/hour plus an additional paid hour of planning time for each five hours of instruction.
2018-2019 Extracurricular Appointments
High School Appointments
| Name | Position | Salary |
| Krause, John | Fall theatrical production director | $1,650 |
| Bello, Brianne | SADD advisor | $1,320 |
| Smith, Kristin | Senior class advisor | $2,020 |
| McCutcheon, Heather | Junior class advisor | $1,470 |
| Elias, Melissa | Sophomore class advisor | $1,470 |
| Richter, Angela | 8th grade class advisor | $1,470 |
| Snyder, Lynn | 7th grade class co-advisor | $735 |
| Potaczala, Shannon | 7th grade class co-advisor | $735 |
| Jory, Cheryl | 6th grade class advisor | $1,470 |
| Krause, John | Spring theatrical director | $2,250 |
| Sheldon, Nicholas | U.N. Club advisor | $1,320 |
| Scalise, Laura | Sr. High Student Council advisor | $2,250 |
| Jones, Brooke | Sr. High Student Council assistant | $1,650 |
| Lampert, Caroline | Sr. National Honor Society advisor | $1,320 |
| Hein, Sarah | Jr. National Honor Society co-advisor | $660 |
| Manley, Bridgett | Jr. National Honor Society co-advisor | $660 |
| McGraw, Dana | Pep Club advisor | $1,320 |
| White, Holly | FCCLA advisor | $1,320 |
| Hernandez, Caitlin | Sr. High Language Club advisor | $1,320 |
| Reppel, Kerry | HHS Friends of Rachel co-advisor | $1,320 |
| Potaczala, Shannon | HHS STEM Club co-advisor | $660 |
| Nicklaw, Ryan | HHS STEM Club co-advisor | $660 |
| Gordon, Terry | Sr. High Band director advisor | $1,650 |
| Lowell, Sylvia | Lego League Club advisor | $1,300 |
| Nicklaw, Ryan | Lego League Club advisor | $1,400 |
| Lowell, Sylvia | Sr. High Computer Club co-advisor | $635 |
| Nicklaw, Ryan | Sr. High Computer Club co-advisor | $635 |
| Orilio, Ryan | Yearbook/technical advisor | $2,250 |
| Lister, Kathryn | GSA co-advisor | $660 |
| White, Holly | GSA co-advisor | $660 |
| McGraw, Dana | Middle School yearbook | $1,470 |
| Jones, Brooke | Middle School Student Council | $1,470 |
| Zorn, Leah | Art Club co-advisor | $660 |
| McCutcheon, Heather | Art Club co-advisor | $660 |
| Lanza, Kim | Intramural director | $1,320 |
Temporary kindergarten aides
The following appointments were made for temporary kindergarten aides at the Elementary School:
- Newman, Donna
- Deis, Janet
- Parmon, Valerie
- Mergenthaler-Crane, Amie
- Filipczuk, Joanna
Effective Sept. 5-14, 2018; Salary: $10.40/hour
Substitute Appointment
Clark, Mary Ellen – Substitute School Nurse (RN); effective July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019 at $25.56/hour; on an as needed basis.
2018-2019 Fall Interscholastic Coaching Appointments
| Name | Position | Salary |
| Maldonado, Marissa | Modified field hockey coach | $1,900 |
| Hubbell, Eric | Varsity assistant football coach | $2,250 |
2018-2019 Fall Interscholastic Unpaid Coaching Appointment
Dempster, Kayla – Unpaid Volunteer Varsity Soccer Assistant Coach
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mrs. 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 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/15/18.]
Other Board Office Resolution
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Fischer who moved its adoption and seconded by Mr. Conley, to wit:
MADISON-ONEIDA-HERKIMER WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CONSORTIUM
RECOMMEND that Robert Miller, Superintendent of Schools be appointed as the Madison-Oneida-Herkimer Workers’ Compensation Consortium Coordinator, and Regina Frasier, District Treasurer as the District’s Interim Designee for the 2018-2019 school year to serve as part of their regular duties.
Discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
APPR Lead Evaluator/Evaluator Certification Resolution
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered by Ms. Giffune who moved its adoption and seconded by Mrs. Fischer 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;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Robert Miller is hereby re-certified as lead evaluator/evaluator for principals.
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
APPR Lead Evaluator/Evaluators Certification Resolution
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Fischer who moved its adoption and seconded by Mr. Petucci to wit:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education acknowledges that Robert 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, Robert Miller, Mary Tomaso, Renee Vogt, Cristi Paragi, Zachary Abbe and Michelle Ploss are hereby re-certified/certified 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 [APPR].
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
District-wide Safety Plan
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered by Ms. Giffune who moved its adoption and seconded by Ms. Gilbert to wit:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer CSD held a public hearing on August 1, 2018, for the purpose of discussing the revisions to the District-wide Safety Plan;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby adopts the District-wide Safety Plan for submission to the State Education Department.
Discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
Gift to the School
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Conley who moved its adoption and seconded by Ms. Giffune to accept the following donation to the Jr./Sr. High Music Department from the Brinck family. A left-hand acoustic guitar with stand, hard case, turning device and several books was donated in August 2018 with sincere appreciation.
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
Board of Education Reports
NYSSBA Annual Convention (2018 Key Dates)
A timeline was shared with the BOE for this year’s NYSSBA Convention. Mr. Crandall will be this year’s voting delegate.
Established Proposed BOE Goals for the 2018-2019 school year
President Crandall reviewed with the BOE several proposed goals for the 2018-2019 school year for consideration.
Mrs. Fischer moved and Mr. Conley seconded a motion to accept the BOE goals for the 2018-2019 school year as presented. Discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
Board “Open House” Coverage
Superintendent Miller informed the BOE that the Elementary School “Open House” has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 12, 2018, and that the Junior/Senior High School “Open House” is scheduled for Thursday, September 13, 2018. Board members indicated their availability for each date.
President’s Update
President Crandall informed the BOE that an invitation had been sent to the girls of the U12 Softball team and their coaches for spectacular undefeated season at its August 29th Special BOE meeting.
Future Meeting Dates
Superintendent Miller reminded the Board that the next special Board of Education meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 29, 2018, at 5 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria, and a regularly scheduled meeting had been scheduled for Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at 6 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria. He confirmed that a quorum would be present for those meetings.
Mr. Conley moved and Mrs. Fischer seconded a motion to move into an executive session for the purpose of discussing a particular student issue. 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 7:0.
Executive Session
The Board moved into an executive session at 7:26 p.m.
Ms. Tomaso and Ms. Paragi entered the executive session at 7:31 p.m., and left at 8:00 p.m.
Superintendent Miller left at 8:10 p.m.
A family joined the BOE in executive session at 8:18 p.m., and left at 8:30 p.m.
Superintendent Miller arrived at 8:50 p.m.
President Crandall declared the public meeting reconvened at 9:17 p.m.
On a motion made by Mr. Conley, seconded by Mr. Petucci the BOE adjourned the public 9:19 p.m. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.