Aug. 20, 2025, minutes

Date: August 20, 2025

Kind of Meeting: Regular

Place: Herkimer Middle-High School Library

Members Present: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci and Aleksander Verenich

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Superintendent Kathleen Carney, Chad Hess, Gina McKernan, Maria Lindsay, Nicole Crandall, Renee Vogt, Michelle Ploss, Corenne Holmes, Cristi Paragi, a parent and student

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. in the Middle- High School Media Center and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Administration of Oath of Office

At this time the District Clerk administered the Oath of Office to the following:

-Aleksander Verenich – Re-elected Board of Education Member

Public Comment

Student Cooper Jordan, Eagle Scout Candidate, Troop 25, wanted to follow-up on his written proposal to the board members, superintendent and business manager. After a discussion with the Board of Education it was decided by the Board Members to add to the agenda the donation of a bike rack.

Approval of the Agenda

Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.

Approval of the Minutes

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to approve the regular BOE meeting minutes from Wednesday, July 30, 2025, as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0:1

Approval of Financial Reports

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Petucci, the Board approved the following financial reports:

• Treasurer’s Report – July 2025
• General Warrant – July 2025
• Internal Claims Auditors Exception Report – July 2025
• Extracurricular Summary Report – July 2025

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/20/2025

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board approved the following financial report:

• Tax Warrant

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/20/2025

Mr. Hess provided updates for the Business Office

Donation of Bike Rack

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

“BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District accepts the following donation of a bike rack to the Herkimer Middle-High School from the Eagle Scout’s.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0; Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 8/20/2025

Policy Review – Adoption

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lamanna 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 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 4403     Auditing Claims for Payment
• Policy 4500     General Procurement Standards
• Policy 4501     Competitive Bidding
• Policy 4502     Non-Bid Purchasing
• Policy 4503     Sale of Surplus Property
• Policy 4504     Accounting of Assets, Inventory and Tracking
• Policy 4505     Uniform Grant Guidance for Federal Awards
• Policy 4509     Use of Federal Funds for Political Expenditures
• Policy 7101     Immunization of Students
• Policy 7102     Student Medications, Allergies and Anaphylaxis

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.

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 – Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/20/2025

Policy Review – Tabled

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Collis seconded to table the following policy until the Policy Service revises the wording for Dental on Policy 7100 – Student Health and Dental Exams

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 – Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/20/2025

Agreement for Physical Therapy

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

“BE IT RESOLVED, Herkimer Central School District has the need for an independent contractor to perform physical therapy services set forth herein and enters into such an agreement with Kala Lachut, and

WHEREAS it isthe Districts desire to enter into this agreement from July 1, 2025, thru June 30, 2026; per terms and conditions of the agreement.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 – Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/20/2025

SRO Agreement

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Lamanna to accept the School Resource Officer (SRO) Agreement between the Village of Herkimer and the Herkimer Central School District per terms and conditions of the agreement commencing on September 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/20/2025

Creation of 12-Month Assistant Principal ~ 6-12

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

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby creates a 1.0 FTE 12-month Assistant Principal Position, effective September 1, 2025, and appoints Nicole Crandall to this position effective September 1, 2025.  This position shall remain in the School Building Leader tenure area and time previously accrued by Ms. Crandall in the 10-month Assistant Principal position shall be credited to Ms. Crandall in the 12-month role for purposes of her probationary period and seniority.  Ms. Crandall’s salary for the 2025-26 school year will be $96,410.26, prorated to reflect her commencement date.                         

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/20/2025

District-Wide and Building Level Safety Plan

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

“BE IT RESOLOVED, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby adopts the 2025-2026 District-wide and Building Level Safety Plan for the State Education Department.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/20/2025

Professional Learning Plan

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

“BE IT RESOLOVED, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby adopts the 2025-2026 Professional Learning Plan”.

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/20/2025

MOA-HCSD/HFA – Mentoring

Mr. Verenich moved, and Ms. Fischer 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 by and between the Herkimer Central School District (HCSD) and the Herkimer Faculty Association (HFA) as presented;

WHEREAS, the parties enter into this agreement effective retroactive July 1, 2025, and for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/20/2025

MOA-HCSD/HFA – Athletic Leadership

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Verenich 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 by and between the Herkimer Central School District (HCSD) and the Herkimer Faculty Association (HFA) as presented;

WHEREAS, the parties enter into this agreement effective retroactive July 1, 2025, and for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/20/2025

MOA-HCSD/HEA – 10 Month Assistant Principal

Mr. Mihevc moved, and Ms. Fischer 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 by and between the Herkimer Central School District (HCSD) and the Herkimer Education Association (HEA) as presented;

WHEREAS, the parties enter into this agreement effective September 19, 2025, and for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 08/20/2025

Superintendent Updates

Administrative End of the Year Reports

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE approved 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 08/20/2025

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS:

Mr. Petucci moved, seconded by Mr. Collis, a motion to table staffing recommendations until after the executive session.  All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0

President Crandall provided updates and reminded the BOE the next meeting is September 17, 2025, at the Elementary School

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Verenich, the BOE entered into Executive Session for the purpose of legal and personnel issues. The Board may take action in public session after the Executive Session ends, and the Board returns to public session. 7:0 in favor; Motion Carried.

Executive Session:

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

The Board exited Executive Session at 9:05 p.m.

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Verenich seconded a motion to remove from the table Staffing Recommendations; All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0

Upon recommendations of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the BOE approved the following personnel action:

Amendments:

Lampert, Caroline – AP US History and Government – Amend effective date from 2024-2025 school year to 2025-2026 school year [BOE Meeting: 07-30-2025]

Sheldon, Nicholas – AP European History – Amend effective date from 2024-2025 school year to 2025-2026 school year [BOE Meeting: 07-30-2025]

Cave, Kelly – Students with Disabilities – 7-12 – Amend Tenure from 4 years to 3 years, 07/02/2025-7/01/2028 [BOE Meeting: 07-02-2025]

Instructional Resignation:

Name:                                                 Davenport, Kaitlyn

Position:                                             Teacher

Location:                                            Elementary School

Effective Date:                                   August 12, 2025

Name:                                                 Kozma, Krista

Position:                                             Teacher

Location:                                            Elementary School

Effective Date:                                   August 19, 2025

Non-Instructional Resignation:

Name:                                                 Ward, Danielle

Position:                                             Typist

Location:                                            CSE Office

Effective Date:                                   August 15, 2025

2025-2026 Fall Interscholastic Resignations:

Name:                                                 Holliday, Hunter

Appointment:                                     Boys Modified Soccer Coach

Name:                                                 Rosenburgh, Chester

Appointment:                                     Boys Varsity Soccer Coach

Administrative Appointment:

NAME:	Manley, Todd
TENURE AREA(s):	Administrative Tenure Area of School Building Leader
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA	September 19, 2025
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT	September 18, 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 19, 2025
SALARY	$80,000

Teaching Appointment:

NAME:	Wrap, Jessica
TENURE AREA(s):	Elementary Education
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA	September 2, 2025
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT	September 1, 2028
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 two (2) of the three (3) 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 2, 2025
SALARY	Step  13                 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Substitute Teacher Appointment:

Name:                                                 Clarke, Scott

Position:                                             Teacher

Location:                                            District Wide

Effective:                                            On/About December 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026

Salary:                                                Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute

Mentor Appointments for 2025-2026 School Year:

MENTEE                                                                                                       MENTOR

Cave, Kelly – Middle-High School Special Education Teacher                    Gayhart, Shannon

Crawford, Jason – Technology Teacher                                                       McCutcheon, Heather

Feane, Halle – Classroom Teacher                                                                Spence, Kelly

St. James, Cynthia – Middle-High School Special Education Teacher        Davis, Karlee

Valerio, Logan – Middle School Social Studies Teacher                              Peyton, Leah (Sept-Nov)

                                                                                                                        Cooper, Kelly (Dec-June)

Wrap, Jessica – Kindergarten Teacher                                                          Stallman, Kristin

Zilkowski, Kara – Elementary Classroom Teacher                                      Knowlton, Debra

Salary Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

2025-2026 Extra-Curricular Appointments:

Name                                                  Position                                                          Salary

Crawford, Jason                               FFA                                                                 $1,550

Hayes-Manning, Susan                    National Jr Honor Society                              $1,550 (prorated)

McCutcheon, Heather                      MS-HS Art Club                                             $1,550

Valerio, Logan                                   Middle School eSports                                   $1,550

2025-2026 Fall Interscholastic Coaching Appointment:*

Name:                                                 Holliday, Hunter

Appointment:                                     Boys Varsity Soccer Coach

Salary:                                                Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Name:                                                 Palmer, Jordan

Appointment:                                     Boys 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

2025-2026  Interscholastic Unpaid Coaching Appointment:

Name:                                                 Carney, Michael                              

Appointment:                                     Athletic Volunteer

Amended

Name:                                                 Carney, Michael

Appointment:                                     Modified Boys Soccer Volunteer

Adjournment:

On a motion made by Mr. Petucci, and seconded by Mr. Collis, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 9:07 p.m.  All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.     

______________________
Gina McKernan
School District Clerk