Aug. 26, 2026, minutes - Herkimer Central School District

Present:
Brian Crandall, President
Joseph Lamanna, Vice President
Matthew Collis
Robert Mihevc
Scott Petucci
Audrey Piccione
Aleksander Verenich

Administration:
Nicole Crandall
Maria Lindsay
Cristi Paragi
Michelle Ploss
Renee Vogt

Others Present:
Kathleen A. Carney, Superintendent of Schools
Chad Hess, Business Manager
Michele Gilbert, District Treasurer
Gina McKernan, District Clerk
Members of the community

The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order by President Brian Crandall, at 6:00 p.m. in the Middle-High School Media Center and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Public Comment
Mr. David Vogt has expressed his interest in becoming the Boys Varsity Basketball Coach.

Approval of Agenda:
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the meeting agenda as submitted.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0

Board Recognition – Thank you note

Approval of the Minutes:
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to approve the regular Board of Education meeting minutes from Wednesday, August 26, 2026, as presented.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone
Nays: 0
Abstained: 1
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 08/26/2026

Business Reports Approval of Financial Reports
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Verenich, the Board approved the following financial reports:
• Treasurer’s Report – July 2026
• General Fund Warrant – July 2026
• HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Report – July 2026

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 08/26/2026

District Wide and Building Level Safety Plan

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby adopts the 2026–2027 District-Wide and Building-Level Safety Plan.”

Agreement ~ SRO/SPO

Mr. Collis moved, and Ms. Piccone seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves and accepts the School Resource Officer (SRO)/Special Patrol Officer (SPO) Agreement between Herkimer County, acting through the Herkimer County Sheriff’s Office, and the Herkimer Central School District, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth therein, for the 2026–2027 school year.”

2026-2027 Simply Special Learning Center, LLC Agreement

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves an agreement with Simply Special Learning Center, LLC, an independent contractor, to provide educational and therapeutic services during the 2026–2027 school year for one (1) school-aged student, one (1) non-public school student, and one (1) student receiving home instruction; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to enter into said agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth therein for the 2026–2027 school year.”

Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Inc

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves the Memorandum of Understanding between the Herkimer Central School District and the Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Inc., regarding the coordination of services for eligible children and ensuring that all children, regardless of ability, receive a developmentally appropriate education at no cost to families in the least restrictive environment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the Director of Student Programs and Curriculum to execute said Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Board in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth therein.”

Disposal of Surplus Items – Chairs/Tables

I am seeking formal approval of the following resolution:

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

WHEREAS, the Herkimer Central School District owns the items listed on the attached memorandum provided by Mrs. Vogt, which are no longer useful or necessary for the district’s purposes and are of no value to the Herkimer Central School District; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares those items to be surplus property, having no further value to the School District, and authorizes the Business Office to notify the appropriate personnel to dispose of such items in the best interest of the Herkimer Central School District.

Disposal of Surplus Items – Workstations

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

WHEREAS, the Herkimer Central School District owns the items listed on the attached memorandum provided by Mr. Hess, which are no longer useful or necessary for the district’s purposes and are of no value to the Herkimer Central School District; and

Donation to the Village of Herkimer

Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded to approve the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves the donation of the two (2) surplus office workstations to the Village of Herkimer.”

APPR Lead Evaluator Recertification (Principals)

Mr. Collis moved, and Ms. Piccone seconded the following Board resolution:

WHEREAS, the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education has been provided with evidence that, in accordance with Education Law §3012-d, Kathleen Carney has completed the required training that 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 (APPR) Plan for certification as a Lead Evaluator/Evaluator of Principals; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby re-certifies Kathleen Carney as a Lead Evaluator/Evaluator of Principals.

Resolution ~ APPR Lead Evaluator/Evaluators Recertification (Teachers)

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

WHEREAS, the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education has been provided with evidence that, in accordance with Education Law §3012-d, Correne Holmes, Maria Lindsay, Cristi Paragi, Michelle Ploss, and Renee Vogt have completed the required New York State Education Department training as Lead Evaluators/Evaluators for Teachers, provided by the Assistant Superintendent of the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES, and have met the requirements of the District’s Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) Plan; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby certifies/re-certifies Correne Holmes, Maria Lindsay, Cristi Paragi, Michelle Ploss, and Renee Vogt as Lead Evaluators/Evaluators for Teachers in accordance with Education Law §3012-d and the District’s Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) Plan.
Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 08/26/2026

MOU Valley Health Services, Inc. and/or Valley Residential Services, Inc- Transportation

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the agreement between the Valley Health Services, Inc. and/or Valley Residential Services, Inc and the Herkimer Central School District to provide advanced planning for an emergency evacuation for Valley Health Service Residents in a case where a disaster takes place and warrants an evacuation; and,

WHEREAS the Herkimer Central School District will assist Valley Health Services and/or Valley Residential Services with the assisting of transporting of residents; and,

WHEREAS it is the districts desire to enter into this agreement from September 23, 2026, through September 22, 2027; per the terms and conditions of the agreement”.

MOU Valley Health Services, Inc. and/or Valley Residential Services, Inc – Emergency Shelter

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

WHEREAS it is the districts desire to enter into this agreement from September 23, 2026, through September 22, 2027; per the terms and conditions of the agreement”.

Designation of Appointments

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Kathleen A. Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Collis, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the Board of Education formally approves the following 2026-2027 school year Designation of Appointments:

Designee of Attendance: To approve the appointment of the Assistant Middle School Principal, Danielle Moore, to serve as designee of attendance for her respective building for the 2026-2027 school year as part of her regular duties in the absence of the principal.

Dignity Act Designee: To approve the appointment of the Assistant Middle School Principal, Danielle Moore, to serve as Dignity Act Designee for her respective building for the 2026-2027 school year as part of her regular duties in the absence of her principal.

Employment Agreement for the District Treasurer

Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded the following Board resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby amends the employment agreement, effective retroactively to July 1, 2026, between the District and Michele Gilbert, District Treasurer, dated November 25, 2024, and authorizes the Board President to execute said addendum and further authorizes payments in accordance therewith.

Superintendent Updates

Administrative Reports

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Piccone, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the Board of Education approved the Sub-Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Preschool Special Education program/placement recommendations as presented.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0 – Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 08/26/2026

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS
Mr. Petucci moved, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, a motion to table staffing recommendations.

Board of Education
Mr. Crandall discussed the Board of Education Committees for the 2026-2027 school year. The next scheduled Board Meeting with be held at the Herkimer School District Elementary School in the Cafetorium on September 16 at 6pm.

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Petucci, the Board of Education entered into Executive Session for issues pertaining to the employment history of a particular individual leading to the appointment/employment/suspension/discipline of that particular individual. pending litigation and the purpose of personnel issues. The Board may take action in public session after the Executive Session ends and the Board returns to public session.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0

Executive Session:
The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:35 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 8:52 p.m.

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS:
Mr. Mihevc moved, seconded by Mr. Petucci, a motion to take staffing off the table.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0

Upon recommendations of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Piccone, seconded by Mr. Verenich, the Board of Education approved the following Staffing Recommendations:

LTA Resignations:
Name: Randall, Brittney
Position: Licensed Teacher Assistant
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: August 12, 2026

Name: Zilkowski, Kara
Position: Licensed Teacher Assistant
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: August 31, 2026

Non-Instruction Resignations:
Name: Basler, David
Position: Cleaner
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: August 18, 2026

Name: Cicak, Caitlin
Position: Occupational Therapist
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: September 30, 2026

Name: Younes, Amy
Position: Cleaner
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: August 18, 2026

Extra-Curricular Resignations:
Name: Denton, Heather
Position: Student Council Co-Advisor
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: August 14, 2026

Teaching Appointment:

NAME: Zilkowski, Kara
TENURE AREA(s): Elementary Education
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT
OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE
IN EACH TENURE AREA September 1, 2026
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY
APPOINTMENT August 31, 2030
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 September 1, 2026
SALARY Step 1 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Term Teaching Appointments:
Name: Clark, Morgan
Position: Term Appointment – Kindergarten Teacher
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: Step 1 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Clarke, Scott
Position: Term Appointment – Teacher
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: Step 10 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Term Teaching Appointments(continued):

Name: Gorinshek, Madisen
Position: Term Appointment – Special Education Teacher
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: Step 1 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Roy, Dennis
Position: Term Appointment – Technology Teacher
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: Step 22 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Schoff, Richard
Position: Term Appointment – Special Education Teacher
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: Step 12 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

LTA APPOINTMENTS:
Name: Crane, Natalie
Position: LTA
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 1, 2026
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
(Probationary Period from September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2030)

Name: Foster, Adah
Position: LTA
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 1, 2026
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
(Probationary Period from September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2030)
LTA APPOINTMENTS (continued):

Name: Sninchak, Shawna
Position: LTA
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 1, 2026
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
(Probationary Period from September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2030)

Long Term Substitute Teacher Appointments:
Name: Burnett, Brianna
Position: Long Term Substitute Teacher
Location: Elementary School
Effective: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute Teacher

Name: Cleary, Cole
Position: Long Term Substitute Teacher
Location: Elementary School
Effective: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute Teacher

Substitute Appointments:
Name: Guzik, Toni
Position: Substitute Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: Based on annual payment guidelines for substitutes

Name: Scalise, Jianna
Position: Substitute Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: Based on annual payment guidelines for substitutes

Substitute Appointments (continued):

Name: Wagner, Ethan
Position: Substitute Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: Based on annual payment guidelines for substitutes

Non-Instructional Substitute Appointment:

Name: Scalise, Elana
Position: Lunch Aide
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: $17/hour

Mentor Appointments for 2026-2027 School Year:

MENTEE / MENTOR

Clark, Morgan – Elementary Classroom Teacher / Knowlton, Deborah
Evans, Mari – Elementary Music Teacher / Olds, Jennifer
Gorinshek, Madisen – Elementary Classroom Teacher / Denton, Heather
Labutz, Alisa – Elementary Classroom Teacher / Spence, Kelly
Shelley, Anna – Elementary Classroom Teacher / Sekel, Maria
Vezza, Samantha – Elementary Classroom Teacher / Nare, Jennette
Zilkowski, Kara – Elementary Classroom Teacher / Jenne, Kathryn
Matte, Rebecca – Middle-High School Music Teacher / Lister, Kathryn
Robinson, Trevin – Middle-High School Spanish Teacher / Leah Peyton
Salary Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

2026-2027 Extra-Curricular Appointments:
Name Position Salary
Denton, Heather Elementary Student Council Advisor $1,840
Brown, Melissa Elementary Student Council Assistant $1,580
Crawford, Jason FFA Advisor $1,580
Matte, Rebecca Show Choir $1,580
Matte, Rebecca Fall Theatrical Production Director $1,925
Schumske, Emily Fall Theatrical Assistant Director $1,840
Matte, Rebecca Spring Theatrical Production Director $2,550
Schumske, Emily Spring Theatrical Assistant Director $1,840
Lanahan, Vanessa Athletic Leadership Council $1,580
Rich, Kristin Athletic Leadership Council $1,580
Smith, Sarah 6th Grade Advisor $1,740

2026-2027 Advanced Placement Instructors:
Name Position Salary
Lampert, Caroline AP US History and Government $300
Sheldon, Nicholas AP European History $300

2026-2027 College Now Instructors:
Name Position Salary
Beardsley, Sarah Statistics $300
Jones, Brooke English I – College Writing $300
English II – Introduction to Literature $300
McCutcheon, Heather Intro to Computer Graphics and Design $300
Intro to Ceramics $300
Lampert, Caroline American History Since 1865 $300
Meyer, Chanel Spanish I $300
Spanish II $300
Osberg, Christine Physics $300
Posey, Tekitha Anatomy and Physiology $300
Rosenburgh, Chester Contemporary Math $300
Scalise, Laura Introduction to Psychology $300
Introduction to Sociology $300

2026-2027 College Now Instructors (continued):
Name Position Salary

Sheldon, Nicholas Modern World Civilization $300
Watkins, Matthew Public Speaking $300
Wolanski, Hollie Pre-Calculus $300
Calculus $300
Zorn, Leah Basic Drawing $300
Basic Painting $300
Coaching Recommendations:

2026-2027 Fall Interscholastic Coaching Appointments: *

Name: Cleary Cole
Appointment: Boys Modified Soccer Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Traut, Hailey
Appointment: Girls Modified Soccer Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

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

Adjournment:
On a motion made by Mr. Petucci, and seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the Board of Education adjourned the public meeting at 8:56 p.m.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0

______________________
Gina McKernan
School District Clerk

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