DRAFT Dec. 17, 2025, minutes

Present:
Matthew Collis
Brian Crandall, President
Diann Fischer
Joseph Lamanna, Vice President
Robert Mihevc
Scott Petucci (arrived 6:26pm)

Administration:
Nicole Crandall
Corenne Holmes
Maria Lindsay
Todd Manley
Cristi Paragi
Renee Vogt

Others Present:
Kathleen A. Carney, Superintendent of Schools
Chad Hess, Business Manager
Gina McKernan, District Clerk
Brooke Jones
Students

Absent:
Aleksander Verenich

The 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.

Public Comment
None

Approval of the Agenda
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Collis seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

Board Recognized Artwork displayed from the Middle-High School Students

Approval of the Minutes
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to approve the regular BOE meeting minutes from Wednesday, November 19, 2025, as presented.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna
Nayes: 0
Abstained: Robert Mihevc

Approval of Financial Reports
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board approved the following financial reports:
• Treasurer’s Report – November 2025
• General Fund Warrant – November 2025
• HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Report – November 2025
• Exceptions Report – November 2025
Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12/17/2025

Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency
Mr. Collis moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded to accept/approve the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby accepts 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 while ensuring all children, regardless of their ability, receive a no cost to families, developmentally appropriate education in the least restrictive environment; and, for the Director of Student Programs and Curriculum to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12/17/2025

2026-2027 Operations Budget Calendar
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Kathleen A. Carney, on a motion made by
Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the Board of Education hereby accepts the copy of the 2026-2027 Budget Calendar as presented.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12/17/2025

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

WHEREAS it is customary practice of the Board of Education to have three readings of a policy prior to its adoption; and

WHEREAS the Board of Education wishes to adopt the following policies recommended by the Policy Committee, to wit, suggestions were sent to the Policy Service to accept revisions and to adopt the following policies:

• Policy 4700 Use of District Credit Card
• Policy 4701 Use of District Cell Phone
• Policy 4800 Gifts, Grants, Donations and Memorial Contributions
• Policy 4801 Solicitation of Charitable Donations from School Children

THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby waives the Board of Education’s customary practice of three readings prior to the adoption of policies, and adopts the following policies, incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12/17/2025

Waiving Readings for Adoption of Deletion of Policy
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Collis seconded the following Board resolution:

WHEREAS it is customary practice of the Board of Education to have three readings of a policy prior to its deletion; and

WHEREAS the Board of Education wishes to delete the following policies recommended by the Policy Committee, to wit, suggestions were sent to the Policy Service to accept revisions and to delete the following policies:

• Policy 4802 Fundraising by Students

THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby waives the Board of Education’s customary practice of three readings prior to the deletion of policies, and deletes the policies, incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12/17/2025

Allied Universal Security Agreement
Mr. Collis moved, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, a motion to discuss the agreement until after the executive session.
Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

Superintendent Updates

Student Representative Report (given by Mrs. Carney)

2025 Fall Sports Summary

Administrative Reports

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

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12/17/2025

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS
Mr. Lamanna moved, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, a motion to discuss staffing recommendations until after the executive session
Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

President Crandall reminded the BOE the next meeting is at 6pm on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Middle-High School Library. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to move the meeting to Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE entered into Executive Session for the purpose of issues pertaining to negotiations for school security with Allied Universal issues and to discuss staffing. The Board may take action in public session after the Executive Session ends, and the Board returns to public session.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

Executive Session: (Mr. Petucci arrived at 6:26 p.m.)
The Board moved into Executive Session at 6:30 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 7:10 p.m.

Allied Universal Security Agreement
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Collis seconded by Ms. Fischer to approve the use of Allied Universal Security for armed guard services at a rate of $50.26 per hour in the Herkimer Central School District commencing on January 5, 2026 – June 30, 2026.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12/17/2025

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS
Upon recommendations of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE approved the following personnel.
Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 12/17/2025

Amendments:

Kucerak, Tami – CSE Secretary – Amend effective date to July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026; Amend hourly rate from $32.66/hour to $35.66/hour [BOE Meeting: 07-30-2025]

Kucerak, Tami – Office Assistant I – Amend effective date to July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026; Amend hourly rate from $21.77/hour to $23.77/hour [BOE Meeting: 07-30-2025]

LTA Appointment:

Name: Congdon, Autumn
Position: LTA
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: January 5, 2026 (pending certification and DASA completion)
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
(Probationary Period from January 5, 2026 – January 4, 2030)

Substitute Appointments:
Name: Couchman, Melia
Position: Substitute Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective: December 18, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitutes

Name: McCumber, Braden
Position: Substitute Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective: December 18, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitutes

Adjournment:
On a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, and seconded by Mr. Collis, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 7:14 p.m.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

______________________
Gina McKernan
School District Clerk