The Reorganization Meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. in the Junior/ Senior High School Cafeteria by the District Clerk 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 individuals:
- Brandee Herringshaw- Newly Elected Board of Education Member
- Richard Lewis Jr.- Newly Elected Board of Education Member
- Robert Mihevc- Re-elected Board of Education Member
Public Participation
No public comments were heard.
Election of Officers:
President- Mr. Mihevc nominated Mr. Crandall for the position of Board President. There were no other nominations for President.
On a motion made by Mr. Mihevc seconded by Ms. Gilbert, Mr. Crandall was elected as Board President. Motion carried 5:0:1.
Mr. Crandall was administered the Oath of Office by the District Clerk.
Vice President– Mr. Mihevc nominated Ms. Gilbert for the position of Board of Education Vice President. There was no other nominations for Vice President.
On a motion made by Mr. Mihevc seconded by Mr. Petucci, Ms. Gilbert was elected as Vice President. Motion carried 5:0:1.
Ms. Gilbert was administered the Oath of Office by the District Clerk.
Approval of the Agenda:
Mr. Petucci moved and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Appointment of Officers:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc seconded by Mr. Petucci, the Board approved the following Appointment of Officers for the 2019-2020 school year. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
- District Clerk- Sherry Farrington
- District Treasurer- Regina Frasier
- Deputy Treasurer- Sherry Farrington
- Claims Auditor- Sarah Beardsley
- Receiving Agent(s)- Brenda Spanfelner (HES) and Cristina Chielli (HHS)
Approved Appointments:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci seconded by Mr. Lewis, the Board approved the following appointments for the 2019-2020 school year. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
- District Physician- Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital
- Independent Auditor- Preusser, Raymond G. CPA, PC
- School Attorney(s) – Hogan, Sarzynski, Lynch, DeWind & Gregory LLP.
- Financial Advisor – Hodgson, Russ Attorneys
- Insurance Advisor – Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Inc.
Designation Appointments:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Ms. Herringshaw, the Board approved the following Designation Appointments for the 2019-2020 school year. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
- School Tax Collector – Town of Herkimer
- Supervisors of Attendance and appointed designee(s):
- Jr./Sr. High School : Principal Mary Tomaso/ Designee Zachary Abbe
- Middle School: Principal Zachary Abbe/ Designee Mary Tomaso
- Elementary: Principal Renee Vogt/ Designee Cristi Paragi
- Dignity Act Coordinator:
- Jr./ Sr. High School: Principal Mary Tomaso/ Designee Zachary Abbe
- Middle School: Principal Zachary Abbe/ Designee Mary Tomaso
- Elementary: Principal Renee Vogt/ Designee Cristi Paragi
- Athletic Director – Cristi Pargai
- Arts in Education Coordinator – Heather McCutcheon
- Records Access Officer – Michelle Ploss
- Records Management Officer – Michelle Ploss
- Census Enumerator – Superintendent of Schools, Robert J. Miller
- Chief Emergency Officer – Superintendent of Schools, Robert J. Miller
- Herkimer County Insurance Designee to Board of Directors – Robert J. Miller , Designee to Board of Directors, and Regina Frasier, District’s Interim Designee
- Herkimer County Workers Comp. Consortium Designee to Board of Directors – Regina Frasier, Designee to Board of Directors, and Robert J. Miller, District’s Interim Designee
- Residency Officer – Superintendent of Schools, Robert J. Miller
- Title IX Compliance Officer – Michelle Ploss
- Section 504 Americans with Disabilities Act Officer – Michelle Ploss
- Liaison for Homeless Children and Foster Care Coordinator – Michelle Ploss
- Committee on Special Education:
- Chairperson- Bethany Rickard
- School Psychologist – Generic
- School Physician – Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital
- Child’s Special Education Teacher – Generic
- Child’s Regular Education Teacher – Generic
- Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE):
- School District Employee/ Chairperson – Bethany Rickard
- Representative of the municipality of the child’s Residency – Generic
- Professional who participates in the evaluation of the child- Generic
- Child’s Teacher or appropriately certified teacher – Generic
- Representative from Early Intervention Program – Generic
- Asbestos (LEA) Designee XII- Robert Walker
- Chemical Hygiene Officer(s) Robert Walker, James McKernan, Robert Nasypany and Carrie Kane
- Medicaid Claims Officer – Michelle Ploss
- Incarcerated Youth Coordinator – Michelle Ploss
- Interim 2-D Officer – Ryan Orilio
Designations:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Petucci, the Board approved the following Designations for the 2019-2020 school year. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
- Official Depositories – Adirondack Bank
- Extra- Classroom Faculty Auditor – Zachary Abbe
- Treasurer for Extra- Classroom Activities Account – Susan Steel
- Official Newspaper – Times Telegram
Authorizations:
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the Board approved the following authorizations. All in favor; motion carried 6:0.
The Appointment of the Superintendent of Schools to serve as the following:
Certifier of Payroll: To approve the Superintendent of Schools to serve as Certified of Payroll for the 2019-2020 school year, and as part of his regular duties.
Purchasing Agent: To approve the appointment of the Superintendent of Schools to serve as Purchasing Agent for the 2019-2020 school year, and as part of his regular duties.
School Calendar Adjustments: To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to adjust the school calendar; and to alter the instructional school calendar as needed.
School Bus Lease Agreement: To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to sign an annual School Bus Lease Agreement between the Herkimer Central School District and Birnie Bus Service, Inc. for the 2019-2020 school year.
Catholic Charities Agreement: To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to sign an agreement for the 2019-2020 school year for a full-time Prevention Services Coordinator from the Herkimer Prevention Council to provide substance abuse prevention counseling, intervention and education services at the Herkimer Central School District beginning September 2019 and ending June 2020. The cost of services is $12,000.00.
Rural Schools Association Annual Membership: To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to sign an annual membership effective July 1, 2019- June 30, 2020 not to exceed $1,000 for dues participation.
Title I & II Certification: To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to sign and attest the status as of June 30, 2019, that all staff funded with Title I & II funds for the 2018-2019 school year have met the definition of “ highly qualified”.
Acceptance of Official Documents: To authorize Robert J. Miller, Clerk Pro-tem to accept service of official documents on behalf of the District in the absence of the District Clerk, as part of his regular duties.
Educational Official for Receipt of Court Notifications: To approve the Superintendent of Schools to be authorized to receive court notifications regarding students.
Attendance at Conferences, Workshops, and Conventions: To approve the Superintendent of Schools be authorized to approve attendance at conferences, workshops, and conventions for the teachers, staff and Board of Education members, and that all those attending such conferences would be required to submit conference forms with expenses to the Superintendent.
Budget Transfers: To approve the Superintendent of Schools be given authorization to approve budget transfers of $5,000 or less and be given authorization to recommend budget transfers above that amount to the Board of Education for their formal approval at a public meeting.
Electronic Wire Transfers: To approve the Superintendent of Schools to be authorized to approve wire transfers outside the district up to 1 million, with the exception of payroll and debt service related transfers which may exceed $1 million.
Credit for Graduate Student, In-service, and Advanced Degrees: To approve the Superintendent of Schools to be authorized to certify credit for approved graduate study, in-service credit and advanced degrees in accordance with the agreement between the Herkimer Faculty Association and the Herkimer Central School District.
Temporary and Part-Time Employees: To approve the Superintendent of Schools to be authorized to appoint all temporary or part-time employees with the understanding that the Board of Education would be informed of the date of hire, position, rate of pay and estimated length of appointment at the next Board of Education meeting.
Application for Grants in aid: To approve the Superintendent of School to be authorized to apply for State and Federal Grants as well as other grant proposals which will benefit the Herkimer Central School District.
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the Board approved the following authorizations. All in favor; motion carried 6:0.
The appointment of the President of the Board of Education to serve as the following:
Change Orders: To approve the President of the Board of Education to sign change orders, work directives and other changes to the work below the public bidding threshold of $35,000.
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr. Petucci the Board approved the following authorizations. All in favor; motion carried 6:0.
The appointment of the Vice President of the Board of Education to serve as the following:
Signing of Contracts: To authorize the Vice President of the Board of Education to sign contracts in the absences of the President of the Board of Education.
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Gilbert; the Board approved the following authorizations. All in favor; motion carried 6:0.
The appointment of District Treasurer and District Clerk to serve as the following:
Official Bank Signatories: To approve Regina Frasier and Sherry Farrington as Official Bank Signatories for the 2019-2020 school year, and to serve as part of their regular duties.
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Petucci, the Board approved the following authorizations. Discussion followed. All in favor; motion carried 6:0.
The appointment of District Treasurer to serve as the following:
Signing of Checks: To authorize Regina Frasier, District Treasurer, to sign checks on behalf of the District.
Petty Cash Accounts: To authorize that the following petty cash accounts be established for the 2019-2020 school year:
| Building | Amount | Designee |
| Jr./Sr. High School | $100.00 | Zachary Abbe |
| Elementary School | $100.00 | Chelsea Owen |
| District Office | $100.00 | Sherry Farrington |
Approval of Rates:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the Board approved the following rates. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Election Workers:
- Inspectors- $17.50
- Coordinators- According to the terms of the agreement with the Board of Elections
- Voting Machines- Per User Agreement with Herkimer County Board of Elections
Substitute Teachers, Nurses and Support Staff:
- Certified Teachers- $110/ per day
- Uncertified Teachers- $90/per day
- LTA’s- $12.50/ hr.
- Registered Nurses- $20/ hr.
- Licenses Practical Nurses: $15/ hr.
- Typist: per NYS Minimum Wage
- Maintenance: per NYS Minimum Wage
Travel Reimbursement:
- Mileage Rate- Current IRS rate
- Mileage between District Buildings (HES/HHS) 3.4 miles
Student Meal Rate
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves the meal prices for school lunch and breakfast for the 2019-2020 school year.
- Breakfast: $1.25
- Lunch: $2.50
- Reduced breakfast: $.0.25
- Reduced lunch: $0.25
Consent Agenda:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, and seconded by Ms. Gilbert; the Board approved the following resolutions. All voted in favor; 6:0.
Approved Standard Work Day
BE IT RESOLVED, the board of Education of the Herkimer CSD hereby approves the Standard Work Day as per attached NYS Local Retirement System Standard Work Day Form RS 2418 for the 2019-2020 school year.
Destruction of Ballots
BE IT RESOLVED, in accordance with Education Law Section 2034(6), the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves and authorizes the destruction of ballots from the May 15, 2018, along with any previous election ballots and previous district votes retained on file.
Public recessed at 6:15 p.m.
Public reconvened at 6:20 p.m.
Approval of Agenda:
Mr. Petucci moved and Ms. Herringshaw seconded a motion to formally approve the meeting agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Approval of the Minutes:
Ms. Gilbert moved Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to approve the regular BOE meeting minutes of Wednesday June 19, 2019, as presented. All voted in favor motion carried 6:0.
Business Report:
2019-2020 Capital Outlay Owner/Architect Agreement
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE accepted the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education authorizes to continue Professional Services Agreement between owner and architect;
WHEREAS, the Board of Education authorizes the Herkimer Central School District (Owner) to continue professional services with King + King, Architects LLP ( Architect) for the following Project 2019/2020 Capital Outlay Project.
Discussion Followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Superintendent’s Reports:
Building Project Update- The final portion of the $10.4 Million was funded through DASNY in June and we should complete all work this fall as work is proceeding within schedule parameters. You have been given a budget status project showing a remaining budget of about $78,000 in excess budget $15,000 and contract allowances of about $63,000 which should cover any remaining change orders or minor work necessary to complete the project. The clerk and architect will be present at the August 14 BOE meeting to update the board.
We have completed all hiring at the elementary school. We need to hire a social worker, a psychologist, and a secondary science teacher. The search process is ongoing for these positions. We will also look to combine two part time cleaning positions into one full time position as we have a part time position that will be resigning this month. This will bring our part time unit down to about 5 members 2 cleaners, 2 lunch aides, and one LPN.
The Pre K grant is submitted and awaiting approval. The Title grant allocations are but once the information is released from the state the title grant application will be submitted. Our grant projection for the 2019-20 school year is $1,327,000 down about $26,000. This amount includes $400,000 in P tech funds most of which flow to BOCEs programs and will expire in 2021.
Our independent audit will be completed in August and the Board will review and be asked to approve the audit in October. We still await the comptroller’s audit report.
APPR training for principals will take place this week. I will attend the teacher training this week and recertify in late July to evaluate principals. The board will be asked to certify the administrative team as teacher evaluators in August. We submitted our certification compliance on APPR to SED last week and will work to ready our data for submission to SED.
Summer curriculum work has already begun and teachers will be working on curriculum projects throughout the summer. These projects are completed under the guidance of the district’s curriculum council and they will present their work to the board in October. The district will continue our work on training teachers for implementing the next generation standards in 2020-2021.
The district office will be working on the development of a negotiation frame works for the HFA contract, the CSEA full-time and part-time contract. The negotiations committee will likely be very active in the spring of 2020 and potentially beyond.
Administrative Report:
Ms. Paragi’s 2019 Spring Sports Summary was reviewed with the BOE.
Staffing Recommendations:
Mr. Petucci moved and Ms. Herringshaw seconded a motion to table agenda item 4.b. Staffing Recommendations until after an executive session: motion carried 6:0.
CSE/CPSE Program/ Placement Recommendations:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert seconded by Mr. Petucci, 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 6:0.
Gift to the School
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Lewis who moved it adoption and seconded by Mr. Petucci, to wit:
“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby increase Revenue Code A2705 and to increase the Appropriation Code A2110.450-H by $500.00 from Birnie Bus for the purpose of National Honor Society Induction Dinner. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Board of Education Reports
Policy Review
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, the BOE agreed to table Policy #2300 and bring it back to the August BOE meeting.
Proposed BOE Meeting Dates:
The following Proposed 2019-2020 Meeting Dates were approved by the BOE:
- July 31- (Workshop Meeting)
- August 14th
- September 18th
- October 16 (Audit Meeting)
- November 20th
- December 18th
- January 22nd
- February 12th
- March 18th
- April 15th (Approved Budget)
- May 6th (Budget Hearing)
- May 19th (Budget Vote)
- May 20th
- June 17th
- July 8th (Reorganizational Meeting)
President’s Update
President Crandall would like to have a mentorship program for the newly elected BOE members. This program would allow our new members to pair up with a current BOE member.
Board of Education Member Update
Ms. Gilbert complimented on how wonderful the High School Graduation ceremony went.
Future Meeting Update
Superintendent Miller reminded the Board that the next meeting scheduled Board of Education is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. Cafeteria.
Meeting Evaluation
Mr. Mihevc was tonight’s meeting evaluator, presented his review of the July 10, 2019 Board of Education meeting. He welcomed the two new Board Members. It was a great meeting, all information was provided in a timely manner, as well as this meeting had great open communication. All aspects of the meeting evaluation were met.
Mr. Petucci moved and Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to move into executive session for the purpose of discussing matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person. The Board may take action in public session after the executive session ends and the Board returns to public session. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Executive Session
The Board moved into Executive Session at 6:47 p.m.
President Crandall declared the public meeting reconvened at 7:10 p.m.
Mr. Petucci moved and Mr. Gilbert seconded a motion to remove from the table, agenda item 4.b. Staffing Recommendations. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci and seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE approved the following personnel actions:
Resignation(s):
McDuffee, Canaan, 4th Grade Teacher, effective August 8, 2019
Svereika, Susan, Science, effective July 3, 2019
WHEREAS, the Herkimer CSD has determined that for reasons of economy and efficiency, it is necessary to abolish a certain position;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:
English 7-12
- A position or positions in the following tenure area are hereby abolished, effective June 30, 2019: English 7-12.
- It is determined that the following person has the least seniority within this tenure area:
Taylor Tessitore.
- It is determined that the above identified person does not have tenure or probationary status and thus has no right to transfer to a different tenure area.
- It is determined that the above identified person shall be, and hereby is placed on a preferred eligible list in accordance with the Education Law.
The Superintendent of Schools is hereby directed and authorize to implement these changes in accordance with the Education Law and applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Teaching Appointment(s):
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 (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.
- Winkler, Michalyn
- Tenure Area(s): Elementary Education
- Effective Probationary Period: July 15, 2019-July 14, 2023
- Salary: Step 1 per the 2016-2020 HFA contract
- Elinger, Amberlyn
- Tenure Area(s): Elementary Education
- Effective Probationary Period: July 15, 2019-July 14, 2023
- Salary: Step 2 per the 2016-2020 HFA contract
- Steele, Alan
- Position: Part-time Driver’s Education
- Effective Dates: September 3, 2019- June 30, 2020
- Salary: Step 7 per the 2016-2020 HFA contract
Long-term Substitute:
- Turnbull, Amanda
- Position: 6th Grade
- Effective Date: August 1, 2019
- Salary: Reference Item III of the Annual Substitute Guidelines for Substitutes
Maternity Leave Request:
- Sekel, Maria
- Position: Elementary 3rd Grade
- Effective Date: November 15, 2019
Adjournment
On a motion made by Ms. Herringshaw, and seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 7:12 p.m. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.