Aug. 5, 2026, minutes

Present:
Brian Crandall, President
Joseph Lamanna, Vice President
Matthew Collis
Diann Fischer
Robert Mihevc
Scott Petucci

Absent:
Aleksander Verenich

Administration:
Corenne Holmes
Maria Lindsay
Michelle Ploss
Renee Vogt

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

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

Approval of the Agenda
Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded a motion to formally approve the meeting
agenda as submitted.
Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey
Piccone
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0

Board Recognized
Thank you note for graduation award

Approval of the Minutes
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to approve the reorganization
and regular BOE meeting minutes from Wednesday, July 8, 2026, as presented.
Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey
Piccone
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 08/5/2026

Business Reports Approval of Financial Reports
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Collis, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the Board approved the following financial reports:

• Treasurer’s Report – June 2026
• General Fund Warrant – June 2026
• HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Report – June 2026

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 08/5/2026

Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital Agreement

Mr. Petucci moved, and Ms. Piccone seconded the following Board resolution:
WHEREAS, the Herkimer Central School District desires to enter into an agreement with The Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital for the provision of medical services for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves and accepts the agreement between The Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital and the Herkimer Central School District for the provision of medical services for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to execute the agreement on behalf of the Board.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey
Piccone
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 08/5/2026

MOA – Morning Groups
Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded to accept the following Board resolution:

WHEREAS, the Herkimer Central School District desires to pilot a Morning Groups program at the
Middle-High School level for the benefit of its students and in furtherance of its educational mission;
and

WHEREAS, the Herkimer Faculty Association (“HFA”) is agreeable to implementing such a pilot
program for the 2026-2027 school year; and

WHEREAS, the District and the HFA have discussed and mutually agreed to the creation of daily
Morning Groups for students and teachers during the 2026-2027 school year to engage in social,
emotional, and organizational learning activities and strategies and to foster stronger relationships
between students and teachers; and

WHEREAS, the parties have memorialized the terms and conditions of the pilot program in a
Memorandum of Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central
School District hereby approves and accepts the Memorandum of Agreement between the Herkimer
Central School District and the Herkimer Faculty Association regarding the Morning Groups pilot
program for the 2026-2027 school year; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent of
Schools to execute the Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of the Board.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey
Piccone
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 08/5/2026

MOA – Athletic Leadership Council
Ms. Piccone moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded the following Board resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby
approves the Memorandum of Agreement between the Herkimer Central School District
(“HCSD”) and the Herkimer Faculty Association (“HFA”), as presented; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the parties acknowledge this Agreement shall be effective
for the 2026-2027 school year; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent of
Schools to execute the Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of the Board.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey
Piccone
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 08/5/2026

Waiving Readings for Adoption of Policies
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Petucci second the following Board resolution:

WHEREAS, it is the customary practice of the Board of Education to conduct three readings of
proposed policies prior to their adoption; and
Regular Board of Education Meeting – Wednesday, August 5, 2026

WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the recommendation of the Policy Committee to
adopt the following revised policies, with suggested revisions having been submitted to the Policy
Service for review:
 Policy 5010 – Workplace Violence Prevention
 Policy 5301 – Purpose, Acceptable Use and Administration of Digital Information Systems
 Policy 5304 – Information Security Breach
 Policy 5305 – Use of Copyrighted Materials
 Policy 5306 – Protection of Student, Teacher and Principal Personal Information
 Policy 5307 – Data Privacy Agreement
 Policy 5400 – Transportation of Students
 Policy 5403 – Use of School and Personal Vehicles for School Business
 Policy 5500 – Flag Display

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby waives its
customary practice of conducting three readings prior to the adoption of policies and hereby adopts the
above-referenced policies, which are incorporated by reference into the minutes of this meeting.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey
Piccone
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 08/5/2026

Adoption of Professional Learning Plan
Ms. Piccone moved, and Mr. Collis seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the
Board of Education hereby adopts the 2026–2027 Professional Learning Plan.”

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey
Piccone
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 08/5/2026

Approval of Tax Levy & Warrant
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:
Using the Assessed Values prepared by Herkimer County, a tax rate calculation has been prepared for
your consideration in adopting the 2026-2027 Tax Levy & Warrant.

Tax Levy
The budgeted tax levy used for the district is $9,978,417 which is a levy increase of 1.98%. The
budgeted tax levy used for the library tax is $378,592 which is a levy increase of 2.0%.

The Equalization rates for both Herkimer town and village decreased from .5400 to .4900. Based on
changes in assessment and the equalization rates the resulting tax rate increase is 2.67%.

The Equalization rate for Little Falls decreased from .5277 to .5020. Based on changes in assessment
and the equalization rate the resulting tax rate change is -2.07%.

Approval from the Board of Education as to the amount of the 2026-2027 tax levy & warrant is
necessary so that tax bills can be issued.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey
Piccone
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 08/5/2026

Disposal of Surplus Items
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Collis seconded to accept the following Board resolution:
WHEREAS, the Herkimer Central School District owns the items listed on the Fixed
Asset Inventory Control spreadsheet provided by Mr. Verenich, 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.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey
Piccone
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 08/5/2026

Superintendent Updates

President Crandall stated the next Board Meeting would be Wednesday, August 26
On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Collis, 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
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0

Executive Session:
The Board moved into Executive Session at 6:45 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 8:10 p.m.

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS:
Upon recommendations of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by
Mr. Collis, the Board of Education approved the following personnel action:

LTA Retirement:
Name: Guzik, Toni
Position: Licensed Teacher Assistant
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: August 1, 2026

Administrative Resignation:
Name: Manley, Todd
Position: Assistant Principal
Location: Middle School
Effective Date: July 14, 2026

Extra-Curricular Resignation:
Name: Macri, Barbara
Position: Student Council Advisor
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: August 31, 2026

Instructional Resignation:
Name: Appley, Daniel
Position:Teacher
Location: Middle School-High School
Effective Date: August 31, 2026

Name: Hawes, Abigail
Position: Teacher
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: August 4, 2026

Name: Jory, Cheryl
Position: Students with Disabilities
Location: Middle School
Effective Date: August 31, 2026

Name: Marci, Barbara
Position: Teacher
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: August 31, 2026

Coaching Resignation:
Name: Hawes, Abigail
Position: Modified Soccer Coach
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: August 4, 2026

Administrative Appointment:
Name: Moore, Danielle
TENURE AREA(s): Administrative Tenure Area of School Building Leader
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: August 17, 2026
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: September 16, 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: August 17, 2026
Salary: $81,000

Teaching Appointments:
Name: Labuz, Alisa
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

Name: Matte, Rebecca
TENURE AREA(s): Music 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 2 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Shelley, Anna
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, 2029

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 10 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Jory, Cheryl
Tenure Area: Elementary Education
Effective: September 1, 2026
Salary: Step 19 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Teaching Summer Appointments:
Name: Matte, Rebecca
Position: Summer Curriculum Work
Effective Date: August 6, 2026 – August 31, 2026
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Robinson, Trevin
Position: Summer Curriculum Work
Effective Date: August 6, 2026 – August 31, 2026
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name: Vezza, Samantha
Position: Summer Curriculum Work
Effective Date: July 22, 2026 – August 25, 2026
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Non-Instructional Appointments:
Name: Vandewalker, Diane
Position: Lunch Aide
Location: Elementary School
Effective: September 1, 2026
Probationary: September 1, 2026 – March 1, 2027
Salary: $17/hour

Name: Young, Joelyn
Position: Lunch Aide
Location: Elementary School
Effective: September 1, 2026
Probationary: September 1, 2026 – March 1, 2027
Salary: $17/hour

Non-Instructional Yearly Appointments:
Name: Harris, Karen
Position: Teacher Aide
Location: Elementary School
Effective: September 1, 2026- June 30,2027
Salary: $18.35/hour

Name: Kucerak, Tami
Position: OAII
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026- June 30,2027
Salary: $24.66/hour as needed

Name: Puskar, Binasa
Position: Teacher Aide
Location: Elementary School
Effective: September 1, 2026- June 30,2027
Salary: $17/hour as needed

Substitute Teacher Appointments:
Name: French, Joanne
Position: Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026- June 30,2027
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute

Name: Schoff, Deborah
Position: Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026- June 30,2027
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute

Name: Wesolowski, Marguerite
Position: Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026- June 30,2027
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute

LTA Substitute Appointments:
Name: Bryant, Cheryl
Position: LTA
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026- June 30,2027
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute

Name: MacKenzie, Maria
Position: LTA
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026- June 30,2027
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute

Substitute Non-Instructional Appointments:
Name: Dhaniram, Sandya
Position: RN
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026- June 30,2027
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute

Name: Morse, Ella
Position: RN
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026- June 30,2027
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute

Name: Pike, Rachel
Position: RN
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026- June 30,2027
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute

Name: Saunders, Nancy
Position: RN
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 1, 2026- June 30,2027
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute

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

Adjournment:
the public meeting at 8:13 p.m.
Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey
Piccone
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0