The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. at the Herkimer Jr/Sr High School Media Center by President Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
This meeting was open to the public, but in accordance with current regulations, attendance will be limited to no more than 10 people total. The public was able to view the meeting live via a web link on the district’s website, www.herkimercsd.org. A recording and transcript from the meeting will also be made available following the meeting.
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.
Approval of the Agenda
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Board Communication
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. Ms. Gilbert moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to place all appropriate Board Communications on file with the District Clerk. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
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, November 18, 2020 and the Regular Board of Education Meeting amended minutes from Wednesday, October 14, 2020. A brief discussion followed regarding adding “discussion followed” to minutes going forward. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Business Report
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Bray seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE accepts receipt of the October Treasurer’s Report, November Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, General Warrant totaling $1,692,604.40, Capital Warrant totaling $357,654.06, Federal Warrant totaling $28.63, Trust and Agency Warrant totaling $675,754.49, the November Exceptions Report, and HES/HHS Extra Curricular Treasurer’s Report. A discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-16-2020]
Disposal of Goods Resolution
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded to accept/approve the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS, the Herkimer CSD owns (1) one ride-on floor cleaner which is obsolete, no longer useful or necessary for the school district purposes and of no value to the Herkimer CSD;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares such items to be surplus and of no value to the school district and authorizes the Business Office to inform the appropriate personnel to dispose of such items in the best interest of the school district.”
A discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-16-2020]
Change in Pay Rate Resolution
Ms. Fischer moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the rate of pay for book and clock keeper for district athletic events be changed from $20 per game to $25 per game”.
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-16-2020]
Federal Single Audit Resolution
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Petucci, the Board accepted the District’s 2019-2020 Federal Single Audit Report and approved its submission to the New York State Education Department.
A discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-16-2020]
Superintendent Report
The revenue and expense projections are about the same as last month. The initial state aid output reports for 2020-21 are on target with projections from the spring. The state has not indicated if it will carry through with any midyear cuts as of yet but still leaves them on the table. The district would run a small surplus if revenues come in as projected and would run about a projected $1.1 or 1.2 million dollar deficit if the state cuts aid by 20% without making further reductions to the expense side budget. Development of the 2021-22 budget will likely be delayed as the governor has hinted that he won’t write a budget until the federal government acts. So, we likely will not know our financial position for this year or next year until at least February.
The federal grants will be resubmitted this week as adjustments needed to be made to the private school allocation and expenditures shifted to Academic Instructional Services (AIS) direct expense instead of class size reduction which was used to allow AIS to be carried out in the classroom. Several other minor adjustments were made the grant should be finalized this week. All grants should be set by the end of the month.
We have had two total positive cases impact in person instruction at the elementary since the beginning of the year. A total of about 20 students and two staff members were impacted for each incident. We have had more cases impact the high school but only one which impacted a large number of students about 80 and one in which about five staff members were impacted. To date each case that has impacted both schools has not been sourced to the school and each has stood in isolation from the others. We have seen no spread to other contacts resulting from school. There have been no concerns from the Department of Health about our continued operation at any level to date. We believe our mitigation protocols are working to slow the spread and that school is the safest place for our students to be and where they can receive the most effective education. The district will continue to work with the department of health and operate as safe as possible under the reopening guidelines. We have begun the process of building the systems to do testing of our students and staff if it becomes necessary to continue in person operation.
Thanks to all the hard work administration, teachers and support staff have put in during the first four months of this difficult school year. We hope for restful holiday break and that we are energized and ready to begin on January 4, 2021. One can hope that 2021 will be a different year especially once the vaccine for COVID 19 has been more widely distributed. I wish everyone a happy holiday season and a healthy new year.
High-risk sports have been delayed again indefinitely this time. This has caused some confusion around the state and scheduling all remaining sports seems problematic. I think it unlikely that indoor high-risk sports are allowed prior to March or April of 2021 and even than they are unlikely to be allowed. The governor was completely dismissive of high-risk sports on a follow up question after the budget director said they were delayed indefinitely at a prior news conference. My thought is to turn the high school gym over to the contractors now in hopes that it will be completed by September so that we will have a fully functional facility when school starts next year when we are much more likely to be in a position to fully utilize the facility. The longer we wait to turn the facility over to the contractors the less likely it is the work will be complete in September. If we do this it will formally end our winter season and we could prepare for a fall II with football, fields are problematic, and spring with baseball, softball and track.
After a discussion by the Board of Education, it was agreed upon that although turning over the gym to contractors would make the winter season problematic, the district will work to make any opportunities possible for students that can be accomplished in existing facilities.
Administrative Reports
Mr. Abbe explained that streaming between classrooms and team teaching was going very well. Both teachers and students were pleased and because of this, he is looking to expand this further after winter break. Ms. Tomaso addressed questions regarding converting the high school schedule from blocks to periods in anticipation of having to be fully remote. She has made adjustments in hopes that increasing contact time between students and teachers will also increase academic engagement and performance. Ms. Vogt and Ms. Paragi were not in attendance, but it was noted that the Elementary giveaways were a great idea, and that our fall sports teams should be commended for their high GPA.
Staffing Recommendations
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded the motion to table agenda item 7b. Staffing Recommendations until after Executive Session. All in favor; 7:0.
CSE/CPSE Program / Placement Recommendations
Upon recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, 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 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-16-2020]
Board of Education Reports
President’s Update
President Crandall thanked administration, faculty and staff for everything they have done to contribute to an amazing year. He also wanted to thank first responders and parents for their part in helping to make this difficult year possible.
Future Meeting Dates/Agenda Items
The next scheduled BOE meeting will be on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 6 p.m. via google meet.
Meeting Evaluation
Ms. Gilbert, this evening’s meeting evaluator, presented her review of the December 16, 2020, Board of Education meeting.
Ms. Gilbert moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel, legal and negotiations. 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 Executive Session at 7:30 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 8:11 p.m.
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to remove from the table, agenda item 7.b. Staffing Recommendations. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Ms. Bray, the BOE approved the following personnel actions:
Substitute Appointments
- Noah Becker, Certified Substitute Teacher, effective Jan. 4, 2021-June 30, 2021. Salary per substitute guidelines.
- Jenna Becker, Long-Term Substitute/Licensed Teaching Assistant, effective Dec. 11, 2020-June 30, 2021. Salary: $100 per day/6 hour day
Resignation
- Koegel, Kelly, Remote Instruction, Elementary School, effective December 14, 2020
- Ward, Sarah, Remote Instruction, Elementary School, effective December 14, 2020
PTSI Transportation Consultant Services Resolution
Mr. Petucci moved, and Ms. Bray seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Herkimer CSD has the desire to hire a Transportation Consultant to perform all the necessary steps to complete a Transportation RFP.
WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to enter into this agreement for the 2020-2021 school year; per terms and conditions of the agreement.”
WHEREAS, the services outlined in the proposal may qualify as an aidable service through New York State Education Department.
WHEREAS, The Board of Education authorized the Superintendent of Schools to sign on behalf of the Board to enter into the agreement.
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12-16-2020]
Adjournment
On a motion made by Ms. Bray and seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 8:15 p.m. All voted in favor 7:0.