Feb. 25, 2026, minutes

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

Administration:
Nicole Crandall
Corenne Holmes
Todd Manley

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

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.

Public Comment

Robert Batson – addressed the Board asking why Herkimer School District had a larger state aide increase then other districts. Chad Hess, Business Manager advised him that Herkimer is still on formula for foundation aide and other districts in the area are hold harmless with 1% increase.

Approval of the Agenda

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

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

Board Recognized Artwork displayed from the Middle-High School Students

Approval of the Minutes

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Verenich seconded a motion to approve the regular Board of Education meeting minutes from Wednesday, January 28, 2026, as presented.
Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: Diann Fischer

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

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

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

Material filed in the supplemental file dated 2/25/26

Waiving Readings for Adoption of Policies

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Fischer 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 policy recommended by the Policy
Committee, to wit, suggestions were sent to the Policy Service to accept revisions and to adopt the
following policy:

• 5004 Short-Term Worker Asbestos Notification

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 policy, and adopts the above
policy, incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting.

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

Material filed in the supplemental file dated 2/25/26
Waiving Readings for Adoption of Deletion of Policy

Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Petucci 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:

• 5002 Emergency Closings
• 5005 Facilities Inspection Operation and Maintenance
• 5006 Pesticide Alternatives and Notification
• 5007 Energy Water Conservation and Recycling of Solid Waste

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,
Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

Material filed in the supplemental file dated 2/25/26

Herkimer County Board of Elections User Agreement

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

“BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby accepts the User Agreement between the Herkimer Central School District and the Herkimer County Board of Elections regarding the use of two (2) optical scan voting machines and four (4) privacy booths for the annual budget vote and election of board members, and for the Superintendent to sign on the Board’s behalf.”

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

Material filed in the supplemental file dated 2/25/26

Foltsbrook Center Agreement

Mr. Petucci 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 Foltsbrook Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation and the Herkimer Central School District to provide advanced planning for an emergency evacuation for Foltsbrook residents in a case where a disaster takes place and warrants an evacuation; and,

WHEREAS it is the districts desire to enter into this agreement from January 27, 2026, through January 27, 2031; per the terms and conditions of the agreement”.

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

Material filed in the supplemental file dated 2/25/26

Participation in BOCES Cooperative Purchasing Program Resolution

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

“BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby accepts the Resolution authorizing participation in Oswego County BOCES’ Cooperative Purchasing Program and for the District Clerk to sign the Certification.”

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

Material filed in the supplemental file dated 2/25/26

Grant of Easement – DNA Hoops

Mr. Lamanna 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 approves the Grant of Easement for DNA Hoops; and,

THEREFORE, it is the districts desire for the Board President to sign the Grant of Easement on the Boards behalf.”

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

Material filed in the supplemental file dated 2/25/26

Superintendent Updates

Administrative Reports

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the Board of Education 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, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

Material filed in the supplemental file dated 2/25/26

Board of Education

• Discussion was made about holding a Budget workshop. The Board of Education agreed to hold a Budget workshop on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 6pm at the Herkimer Middle-High School library.
• The Board agreed to nominate the 3 incumbents for BOCES Board of Education seats in the districts of Dolgeville, Mount Markham and Poland.
• President Crandall reminded the Board to let Gina know if they will be attending the Annual BOCES meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 6pm.
• President Crandall asked the Board if anyone is interested in donating to the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education Award for a graduating senior. Please let him know as it is due March 31, 2026.
• President Crandall stated to the Board of Education the next regular Board of Education meeting is at 6pm on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the Middle-High School Library. At that meeting there will be the BOCES budget presentation.

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the Board of Education entered into Executive Session for the purpose of issues pertaining to proposed, pending or current litigation and issues pertaining to the employment history of a particular individual leading to the appointment/employment suspension/discipline of that particular individual. 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, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

Executive Session:

The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:15 p.m.

The Board exited Executive Session at 8:52 p.m.

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS

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

Material filed in the supplemental file dated 2/25/26

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS
Amendment:

Steere, Sheila – Elementary School Teacher – Amend position from Short Term Substitute to Long Term Substitute effective 10/14/2025 to 06/26/2026 [BOE Meeting: 11-19-2025]

LTA Resignation:

Name: Feane, Halle
Position: LTA
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: January 6, 2026

Child Care Leave:

Name: Paragi, Cristi
Position: Assistant Principal
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: On/About April 6, 2026
Anticipated leave approximately 6-12 weeks; pending physician’s release

Child Care Leave:

Name: Paragi, Cristi
Position: Athletic Director
Location: Districtwide
Effective Date: On/About April 6, 2026 to June 30, 2026
Anticipated leave approximately 6-12 weeks; pending physician’s release

Medical Leave of Absence:

Name: Gosier, Amberlyn
Position: 4th Grade Teacher
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: March 17, 2026 to April 2, 2026

Short Term Substitute Administrative Appointments:

Name: Tomaso, Mary
Position: Short Term Assistant Principal
Location: Elementary School
Effective: On or about April 6, 2026 to June 30, 2026
Salary: $68.75/hour/up to 8 hrs per day

Short Term Substitute Administrative Appointments:

Name: Manley, Todd
Position: Short Term Athletic Director
Location: Districtwide
Effective: On or about April 6, 2026 to June 30, 2026
Salary: Prorated as per HEA Contract – Athletic Director Stipend

2025-2026 Spring Interscholastic Coaching Appointments*:

Name: Holliday, Hunter
Appointment: Varsity Baseball Coach
Salary: $3,725

Name: Steele, Tyler
Appointment: Modified Baseball Coach
Salary: $2,140

Name: Marosek, Cady
Appointment: Varsity Softball Coach
Salary: $3,725

Name: Maldonado, Marissa
Appointment: Modified Softball Coach
Salary: $2,140

Name: Richard, Jason
Appointment: Boys Varsity Track Coach
Salary: $3,570

Name: Clarke, Scott
Appointment: Girls Varsity Track Coach
Salary: $3,570

Name: Couchman, Brett
Appointment: Varsity Track Assistant Coach
Salary: $2,345

Name: Posey, Tekitha
Appointment: Varsity Track Assistant Coach
Salary: $2,345

Name: Beardsley, Sarah
Appointment: Modified Track Coach
Salary: $2,140

Name: Nare, Jennette
Appointment: Modified Track Coach
Salary: $2,140

Name: Nasypany, Robert
Appointment: Boys Varsity Tennis Coach
Salary: $2,345

Name: Rosenburgh, Chester
Appointment: Boys Varsity Golf Coach
Salary: $2,345

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

2025-2026 Spring Interscholastic Unpaid Volunteer Coaching Appointments:

Gurtowski, Patrick – Baseball Assistant Coach

Marosek, Anna – Varsity Softball Assistant Coach

Richard, Jesse – Varsity Track Assistant Coach

Adjournment:

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, and seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board of Education adjourned the public meeting at 8:54 p.m.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
______________________
Gina McKernan
School District Clerk