DRAFT Jan. 28, 2026, minutes

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

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

Others Present:
Kathleen A. Carney, Superintendent of Schools
Chad Hess, Business Manager
Gina McKernan, District Clerk
John-Henry Lane – MORIC
Oleg Verenich – MORIC
Brooke Jones
Students

Absent:
Diann Fischer

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
None

Approval of the Agenda
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Collis seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted.
Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

John-Henry Lane and Oleg Verenich reviewed the technology plan

Board Recognized Artwork displayed from the Middle-High School Students

Approval of the Minutes
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Collis seconded a motion to approve the regular Board of
Education meeting minutes from Wednesday, December 17, 2025, as presented.
Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc
Nayes: 0
Abstained: Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich

Approval of Financial Reports
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Verenich, the Board approved the following financial reports:
-Treasurer’s Report – December 2025
-General Fund Warrant – December 2025
-HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Report – December 2025
Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 1/28/26

Superintendent Updates

Student Representative Report

Administrative Reports

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Collis, 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, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 1/28/26

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS
Upon recommendations of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, seconded by Mr. Verenich, the Board of Education approved the following personnel.
Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 1/28/26

Teaching Appointment:
NAME: Feane, Halle
TENURE AREA(s): Elementary Education
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: January 7, 2026
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: January 6, 2030
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: January 7, 2026
SALARY Step 1 2025-2029 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Long Term Substitute Teacher Appointment:
Name: Clarke, Scott
Position: Long Term Substitute Teacher
Location: Middle-High School
Effective: January 26, 2026 – June 26, 2026
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute Teacher

Substitute Appointment:
Name: Hayes-Manning, Susan
Position: Substitute Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: January 27, 2026 – June 26, 2026, as needed
Salary: Based on annual payment guidelines for substitutes

Mentor Appointment January 7, 2026 – January 7, 2027
Mentor: Spence, Kelly
Position: Elementary Education Teacher
Mentee: Feane, Halle

Sick Bank
Name: Maneen, Cassidy
Effective: 2025-2026 School Year
The Board of Education authorizes the use of more than 30 days from the sick bank if necessary and allowable.

Board of Education
President Crandall reminded the Board of Education the next meeting is at 6pm on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the Middle-High School Library.

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Petucci, the Board of Education entered into Executive Session for the purpose of 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, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

Executive Session:
The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:30 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 8:45 p.m.

Adjournment:
On a motion made by Mr. Petucci, and seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board of Education adjourned the
public meeting at 8:46 p.m.
Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

______________________
Gina McKernan
School District Clerk