The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. in the Herkimer Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria by President Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
President Crandall welcomed members in the audience, staff members, and students from Mrs. Scalise’s Social Studies class to tonight’s meeting.
President Crandall explained to all that the Board of Education sets aside time at each Board meeting to give those in the audience an opportunity to address the Board directly on any subject they wished to discuss.
President Crandall explained the BOE welcomes public comment and community input at meetings. However, we caution speakers 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.
Public Hearing: District- Wide School Safety Plan
Superintendent Miller provided the BOE with a review of the District- Wide School Safety Plan. No changes were made to the plan at this time. Discussions followed.
Public Comment
SUCO President Mr. Carney provided the Board with upcoming events for the month of February and March.
Approval of the Agenda
Ms. Fischer moved and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
Board Communication
Superintendent Miller indicated that the Board received several informational items that were not included in their Board pack 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 7:0.
Board Recognitions
Superintendent Miller and several Board members provided the following recognitions:
- The 2019 Herkimer Cheer Team who competed in 6 competition in which they took home three 1st places and one 2nd place finish.
- Congratulations to Herkimer’s First LEGO League team “Power of T.E.N. who took home first place from the regional competition at SUNY Polytechnic Institute on January 18, 2020. They have now earned an invitation to the 2020 World Festival in Detroit from April 28- May 2, 2020.
- Congratulations to the following teams who all are looking to be heading to Sectionals: Boys Basketball, Girls Volleyball and Indoor Track.
- Student’s artwork that is on display at tonight’s meeting: Sophia Shepard, Kaden Simonds, Juleighanna Herringshaw, Jayden Crandall, Zoey Caldwell, Collin Vivlimore, and Noah McDavid.
Approval of the Minutes
Mr. Lewis moved and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to formally approve the Regular Board Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, December 18, 2019. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
Business Reports
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer seconded by Mr. Petucci , the BOE accepted receipt of the November and December Treasurer’s Reports, Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, General Warrant totaling $1,104,143.67, Federal Warrant totaling $1,418.75, Capital Warrant totaling $76,734.96, Trust and Agency Warrant totaling $885,707.55, the December HHS/HES Extra- Curricular Treasurer’s Report, and three (3) Budget transfers under the $5,000. Brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplement packet dated 01/22/2020].
Budget Transfers Over
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved one (1) budget transfers over the $5,000 limit totaling $70,000. Brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplement packed dated 01/22/2020].
BOCES Budget and Remington Purchase Presentation
Herkimer County BOCES District Superintendent, Sandra Sherwood, along with Jodi Rodriquez, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services, presented the 2020-2021 Administrative and Capital Budgets.
Mr. Patrick Corrigan, Pathways Academy Principal, joined Ms. Sherwood for the Remington Purchase Presentation.
RFP Water Testing Resolution
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci seconded by Mr. Lewis the BOE agreed to participate in the Joint RFP to secure services to test and analyze for lead in water at school facilities. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the Supplement packet dated 01/22/2020]
Disposal of Surplus Items
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved to dispose of items which are no longer useful or necessary for the school district purpose, and of no value to the Herkimer School District. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Materials filed in the supplement packet dated 1/22/20].
Donation to the School
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District accepts the following donation in the amount of $4,000 to the Jr. / Sr. High School from the New York Agriculture Education Incentive Grant for new programs. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Materials filed in the supplemental packet dated 1/22/2020].
Financial Single Audit Report
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, and the District Audit Committee on a motion made by Ms. Fischer seconded by Ms. Bray, the Board accepted the District’s 2018-2019 Financial Single Audit Report and approved its submission to the New York State Education Department. Discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental packet dated 1/22/20].
Business/ Superintendent Updates
The Superintendent reviewed with the Board of Education the Business Report and Superintendent Updates. A brief discussion followed. [Material filed in the Supplement packet dated 01/22/2020]
Superintendent’s Report
Administrative Reports
Mr. Abbe, Ms. Tomaso and Ms. Vogt’s reports were all reviewed with the BOE. Brief discussions followed.
Staffing Recommendations
Mr. Petucci moved and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to table agenda item 12.b Staffing Recommendations until after Executive Session. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
CSE/CPSE Program/ Placement Recommendations
Upon recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Fischer 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.
2020-2021 School Calendar Adoption
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Ms. Bray, the BOE approved the 2020-2021 School Calendar as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental packet dated 1/22/20].
Board of Education Reports
President’s Update
No updates to report
Future Meeting Updates
The next scheduled BOE meeting will be on Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Meeting Evaluation
Mr. Petucci was tonight’s meeting evaluator.
On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE entered into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters involving a particular student. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
Executive Session
The Board moved into Executive Session at 8:45 pm.
President Crandall declared the public meeting reconvened 10:20 pm.
Mr. Petucci moved and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to remove from the table agenda item 12.b Staffing Recommendations. All voted in favor; motioned carried 7:0.
Upon recommendation made by Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE approved the following personnel actions:
Resignation/ Retirement
O’Brien, Suzanne, Middle School Guidance Counselor, effective March 8, 2020
Reppel, Kerry, Foreign Language Teacher, Middle School, effective June 30, 2020
Carswell, Lisa, Grade 3 STEM Club Advisor, effective January 22, 2020
Non-Teaching Recommendation
Name: DeLano, Josh
Position: Full-Time Cleaner (High School)
Effective Date: 6th month probation – February 3, 2020- August 3, 2020
Salary: $13.00 / hr.
Pending Fingerprint clearance
Substitute Appointments
Long Term Substitute (Middle School Guidance Counselor)
Name: Harlander, Christy
Effective Date: January 17, 2020- June 30, 2020
Salary: Per the Annual Guidelines for Long- Term Substitute
3rd Grade STEM Advisor
Kemler, Cindy
Salary: $660.00 [pro-rated]
Mentor Appointment
Name: Iziarry, Julie
Position: Mentor
Effective Date: December 20, 2019- June 30, 2020
Salary: $1,200 per the HFA contract (pro-rated)
Family Medical Leave Request (FMLA)
Name: Denton, Heather
Effective Dates: January 2, 2020- February 7, 2020
Coaching Recommendations
2019-2020 Winter Coaching
Name: Jackson, Kobe
Position: Modified Boys Basketball
Salary: Unpaid Volunteer Assistant
2019- 2020 Spring Coaching
Name: Manning, Glenn
Position: Varsity Track Assistant Coach
Salary: $2,000
Name: Alexander, Jason
Position: Varsity Baseball
Salary: Unpaid Volunteer Assistant
Name: Jackson, Kobe
Position: Varsity Baseball
Salary: Unpaid Volunteer Assistant
Name: Steele, Alan
Position: Varsity Baseball
Salary: Unpaid Volunteer Assistant
Name: Shepardson, Kelli
Position: Varsity Softball
Salary: Unpaid Volunteer Assistant
All voted in favor, motion carried 7:0
On a motion made by Ms. Mihevc and seconded by Ms. Gilbert the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 10:22 pm. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.