July 2, 2025, minutes (Reorganization Meeting and Regular Meeting)

Date: July 2, 2025

Kind of Meeting: Reorganization and Regular

Place: Herkimer Middle-High School Library Media Center

Members Present: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Robert Mihevc and Scott Petucci

Members Absent: Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna and Aleksander Verenich 

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

The Reorganization Meeting was called to order by the District Clerk, Gina McKernan, at 6:00 p.m. in the Middle- High School Media Center and the Pledge of Allegiance was said. 

Appointment of District Clerk and Deputy Clerk

Upon the Recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Collis seconded by Mr. Mihevc, that the Board of Education formally approves the following 2025-2026 Appointment of District Clerk.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the reorg supplemental file dated 07/2/2025

a) District Clerk: to approve the appointment of Gina McKernan as the School District Clerk for the 2025-2026 school year, at a stipend of $9,000.
b) Deputy District Clerk: to approve the appointment of Michele Gilbert as Deputy District Clerk for the 2025-2026 school year, and to serve as part of her regular duties.

Administration of Oath of Office:

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

• Matthew Collis – Re-elected Board of Education Member – Term: 07/01/2025 – 06/30/2028
• Brian Crandall – Re-elected Board of Education Member – Term: 07/01/2025 – 06/30/2028

Mr. Verenich was not in attendance and will be administered his oath of office at the July 30, 2025, meeting.

Election of Board Officers for the 2025-2026 School Year:

President- Mr. Mihvec nominated Mr. Crandall for the position of Board President. There were no other nominations for President.

On a motion made by Mr. Mihvec and seconded by Mr. Collis, Mr. Crandall was elected as Board President. Motion carried 4:0

Mr. Crandall was administered the Oath of Office by the District Clerk.

Vice President- Mr. Petucci nominated Mr. Lamanna for the position of Board of Education Vice President. There were no other nominations for Vice President.

On a motion made by Mr. Petucci seconded by Mr. Collis, Mr. Lamanna was elected as Vice President. Motion carried 4:0

Mr. Lamanna will be administered the Oath of Office by the District Clerk at the July 30, 2025, meeting.

Newly elected Board President, Mr. Crandall, will now preside over the meeting.

Public Comment:
Student Jordan Cooper, Eagle Scout Candidate, Troop 25, presented a service project proposal to the Board of Education to install a 29-foot by 12-foot concrete pad on school grounds to support a permanent serpentine-style bike rack. He presented the written proposal to the board members, superintendent and business manager. Mrs. Carney advised that this will be discussed with facilities and our architects, and we would advise him of the next step.

Approval of the Agenda:

Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Collis seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0.

Adoption of Board of Education Meeting Dates 2025-2026:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board of Education formally approved the following 2025-2026 BOE meeting dates.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 07/2/2025

• Wednesday, July 30, 2025
• Wednesday, August 20, 2025
• Wednesday, September 17, 2025 (Elementary School)
• Wednesday, October 15, 2025
• Wednesday, November 19, 2025
• Wednesday, December 17, 2025
• Wednesday, January 21, 2026
• Wednesday, February 25, 2026
• Wednesday, March 18, 2026
• Wednesday, April 22, 2026
• Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (Budget Hearing)
• Budget Vote, Tuesday, May 19, 2026
• Wednesday, May 20, 2026
• Wednesday, June 17, 2026
• Wednesday, July 8, 2026 (Reorganizational/Regular Meeting)

Appointment of Officers:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Collis seconded by Mr. Mihevc, that the Board of Education formally approves the following 2025-2026 Appointment of Officers.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 07/2/2025

a) District Treasurer: to approve the appointment of Michele Gilbert as District Treasurer for the 2025-2026 school year, as per contract.
b) Deputy Treasurer: to approve the appointment of Gina McKernan as Deputy Treasurer for the 2025-2026 school year, at a stipend of $4,000.
c) Claims Auditor: to approve the appointment of Sarah Beardsley as School District Claims Auditor for the 2025-2026 school year, at a stipend of $3,875.
d) Deputy Claims Auditor: to approve the appointment of Maria Caiola as Deputy Claims Auditor for the 2025-2026 school year at a rate of pay of $25.00/hour, on an as needed basis.

Approved Appointments:

Upon the Recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc seconded by Mr. Petucci, that the Board of Education formally approves the following 2025-2026 school year Approved Appointments.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 07/2/2025
a) District Physician: The appointment of Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital to provide medical director services for the 2025-2026 school year;
b) Independent Auditor: The appointment of West and Company at the annual fee of $24,000 for independent auditing service per agreement for the year ending June 30, 2026;
c) School Attorneys: The appointment of the law firms of Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C., and Ferrara Fiorenza PC to handle all legal services of the Herkimer Central School District for the 2025-2026 school year with the understanding that the Superintendent is also authorized to contract with local legal counsel at her discretion with appropriate, information provided to the Board and placed on file;
d) Financial Advisor: The appointment of Bernard P. Donegan Inc. to serve as Financial Advisor to the Herkimer Central School District for the 2025-2026 school year; at fees to be determined by the scope and type of the individual matter on which they serve as advisor to the Board of Education;
e) Insurance Advisor: The appointment of the insurance firm Day and Read (InsureOne of America);
f) Bond Counsel: The appointment of Hodgson and Russ, LLP to handle all legal financial services of the Herkimer Central School District for the 2025-2026 school year.

Designation of Appointments:

Upon the Recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Collis seconded by Mr. Mihevc, that the Board of Education formally approves the following 2025-2026 school year Designation of Appointments.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the reorg supplemental file dated 7/02/2025
a) School Tax Collector: To approve the appointment of the Town of Herkimer as School Tax Collector for the district for the 2025-2026 school year.
b) Supervisors of Attendance: To approve the appointment of building principals to serve as supervisors of attendance for their respective buildings for the 2025-2026 school year as part of their regular duties; and further to appoint designees to fulfill this role, as part of their regular duties, in the absence of the principal:

Building	Principal	Designee
High School	TBD	Maria Lindsay
Middle School	Maria Lindsay	TBD
Elementary	Renee Vogt	Cristi Paragi

c) Dignity Act Coordinators: To approve the appointment of building principals to serve as Dignity Act Coordinators for their respective buildings for the 2025-2026 school year as part of their regular duties; and further to appoint assistant principals as their designees to fulfill this role, as part of their regular duties, in the absence of their principal:

Building	Principal	Designee
High School	TBD	Maria Lindsay
Middle School	Maria Lindsay	TBD
Elementary	Renee Vogt	Cristi Paragi

d) Athletic Director: To approve the appointment of Cristi Paragi as the Athletic Director for the 2025-2026 school year, per the HEA contract.
e) Purchasing Agent: To approve the appointment of Chad Hess to serve as Purchasing Agent for the 2025-2026 school year, and as part of his regular duties.
f) Records Access Officer: To approve the appointment of Michele Gilbert as Records Access Officer for the 2025-2026 school year to serve as part of her regular duties.
g) Records Management Officer: To approve the appointment of Michele Gilbert as Records Management Officer for the 2025-2026 school year to serve as part of her regular duties. It is further recommended that the Herkimer Central School District comply with the Commissioner’s record retention and disposition schedule.
h) Census Enumerator: To approve the appointment of Kathleen A. Carney, Superintendent of Schools, as the Census Enumerator for the 2025-2026 school year to serve as part of her regular duties.
i) Chief Emergency/Education Officer: To approve the appointment of Kathleen A. Carney, Superintendent of Schools, as the Chief Emergency/Education Officer for the 2025-2026 school year to serve as part of her regular duties.
j) Herkimer County Health Insurance Designee to Board of Directors: To approve the appointment of Chad Hess, Business Manager, as the Herkimer County Health Insurance Designee to Board of Directors, and Kathleen A. Carney, Superintendent of Schools, as the District’s Designee for the 2025-2026 school year and to serve as part of their regular duties.
k) Herkimer County Workers Comp. Consortium Designee to Board of Directors: To approve the appointment of Chad Hess, Business Manager, as the Herkimer County Workers Comp. Designee to Board of Directors, and Kathleen A. Carney, Superintendent of Schools, as the District’s Designee for the 2025-2026 school year and to serve as part of their regular duties.
l) Residency Officer: To approve the appointment of Kathleen A. Carney, Superintendent of Schools, as the Residency Officer for the 2025-2026 school year to serve as part of her regular duties.
m) Title IX Compliance Officer: To approve the appointment of Michelle Ploss as the Title IX Compliance Officer for the 2025-2026 school year, and to serve as part of her regular duties.
n) Section 504 Americans with Disabilities Act Officer: To approve the appointment of Michelle Ploss as the Section 504 Americans with Disabilities Act Officer for the 2025-2026 school year, and to serve as part of her regular duties.
o) Liaison for Homeless Children and Foster Care Coordinator: To approve the appointment of Michelle Ploss as the Liaison for Homeless Children and Foster Care Coordinator for the 2025-2026 school year, and to serve as part of her regular duties.
p) Committee on Special Education: To approve the appointment of the following members to serve on the Committee on Special Education (CSE) for the 2025-2026 school year, and to serve as their regular duties:
Chairperson: Correne Holmes, Michelle Ploss
School Psychologist: Kelley Thorp
School Physician: Dr. Amy Grace – Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital
Child’s Special Education Teacher: Generic
Child’s Regular Education Teacher: Generic
q) Committee on Pre-School Special Education (CPSE): To approve the appointment of the following members to serve on the Committee on Pre-School Special Education (CPSE) for the 2025-2026 school year as part of their regular duties:
School District Employee/ Chairperson: Correne Holmes, Michelle Ploss
Representative of the municipality of the child’s residency: Generic
A professional who participates in the evaluation of the child: Generic
Child’s Teacher or appropriately certified teacher: Generic
Representative from Early Intervention Program as applicable: Generic
r) Asbestos (LEA) Designee: AHERA, Public Law 99-519: To approve the appointment of Chad Hess to serve as the Asbestos (LEA) designee, pursuant to AHERA, Public Law for 2025-2026 school year, and to serve as his regular duties.
s) Chemical Hygiene Officers: To approve the appointments of James McKernan, Building Maintenance Mechanic, Robert Nasypany, Groundskeeper and Carrie Kane, Science Teacher, as the Chemical Hygiene Officers responsible for the chemical management of school science labs for the 2025-2026 school year as part of their duties.
t) Medicaid Claims Officer: To approve the appointment of Michelle Ploss as Medicaid Claims Officer for the 2025-2026 school year, as part of her regular duties.
u) Ed Law 2-D Officer: To approve the appointment of Richard Mathy as our point of contact person to whom can facilitate more efficient communication on behalf of our district related to NYS Education Law 2-d.
v) BOCES Substitute Services: To approve the appointment of the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES approved substitute teacher list as the Herkimer Central School District substitute teacher list used for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Designations:

Upon the Recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci seconded by Mr. Collis, that the Board of Education formally approves the following 2025-2026 school year Designations.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the reorg supplemental file dated 7/02/2025
a) Official Depositories: To designate Adirondack Bank and Metropolitan Bank as the official depositories for the 2025-2026 school year.
b) Extra-Curricular Accounts Coordinator: To approve TBD as Extra- Curricular Accounts Coordinator for the 2025-2026 school year.
c) Treasurer for Extra-Curricular Activities Account: To approve the appointment of Susan Steele as Treasurer for Extra-Curricular Activities for 2025-2026 school year, at a stipend of $5,000.
d) Official Newspaper: To designate the Times Telegram and the Observer Dispatch as the official newspapers of the district for the 2025-2026 school year.

Authorizations:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Collis, seconded by Mr. Petucci, that the Board of Education formally approves the following Authorizations.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the reorg supplemental file dated 7/02/2025

a) Recommend approving the appointment of Kathleen A. Carney, Superintendent of Schools, to serve as the following: [1-14]
1) Certifier of Payroll: To approve the Superintendent of Schools to serve as Certified of Payroll for the 2025-2026 school year, and as part of her regular duties.
2) School Calendar Adjustments: To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to adjust the school calendar; and to alter the instructional school calendar as needed.
3) 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 : Student Transportation of America for the 2025-2026 school year.
4) Rural Schools Association Annual Membership: To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to sign an annual membership for effective July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026, not to exceed $1,000 for dues participation.
5) Title I & II Certification: To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to sign and attest the status as of July 1, 2025, that all staff funded with Title I & II funds for the 2025-2026 school year have met the definition of “highly qualified”.
6) Acceptance of Official Documents: To authorize Kathleen A. Carney, Clerk Pro-tem to accept service of official documents on behalf of the District in the absence of the District Clerk, as part of her regular duties.
7) Educational Official for Receipt of Court Notifications: To approve the Superintendent of Schools to be authorized to receive court notifications regarding students.

8) 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 and/or Business Manager.

9) 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.
10) Electronic Wire Transfers: To approve the Business Manager to be authorized to approve wire transfers outside the district up to one million dollars, with the exception of payroll and debt service-related transfers which may exceed one million dollars.
11) 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.
12) 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.
13) 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 grants proposals which will benefit the Herkimer Central School District.
14) Change Orders: To approve the Superintendent of School to sign change orders, work directives and other changes to the work below the public bidding threshold of $10,000.
b) Recommend approving appointment of the President of the Board of Education to serve as the following appointment:
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.
c) Recommend approving appointment of the Vice President of the Board of Education, to serve as the following appointment:
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.
d) Recommend approving appointments of District Treasurer and District Clerk to serve as the following:
Official Bank Signatories: To approve Michele Gilbert and Gina McKernan as Official Bank Signatories for the 2025-2026 school year, and to serve as part of their regular duties.
Recommend approving appointments of the District Treasurer to serve as the following appointment:
Signing of Checks: To authorize Michele Gilbert, District Treasurer, to sign checks on behalf of the District.
e) Petty Cash Accounts: To authorize that the following petty cash accounts be established for the 2025-2026 school year:

Building	Amount	Designee
Middle-High School	$100.00	Maria Lindsay
Elementary School	$100.00	Melissa Moorehead
District Office	$100.00	Gina McKernan

Approval of Rates:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Collis seconded by Mr. Petucci, that the Board of Education formally approved the Approval of Rates for the 2025-2026 school year.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the reorg supplemental file dated 7/02/2025

a) Substitutes Teachers, Nurses and Support Staff:
LTA’s: $16.00/ hr.
Registered Nurses: $30.00/hr.
Licenses Practical Nurse: $16.50/ hr.
Typist: $16.00/hr.
Maintenance: $16.00/hr.
Election Workers: $18.00/hr.
b) Travel Reimbursement:
Mileage Rates: Current IRS rate
Mileage between District Buildings HES/HHS for travel: 3.4 miles

c) Student Meal Rates:
Breakfast: Free
Lunch: Free

2025-2026 School Year
Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitutes

NOTE: Health Insurance will be offered according to the guidelines stated in the district policy #6202 (Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act)
The above represents “general rule” guidelines which can be changed or modified by the Board of Education at any time. Each specific administrative appointment [I-III] needs to be clarified and approved in advance by the Superintendent of Schools.

Contractual Benefits Information:

The Herkimer Central School District will provide the Long-term Substitutes with the option of enrolling in the Herkimer County Schools Health Insurance Consortium Standard Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze Plan. Said plans will have an Actuarial Value (AV) as defined by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) equal to an overall plan benefit for the average participant of 90% for the Platinum Plan, 80% for the Gold Plan, 70% for the Silver Plan, and 60% for the Bronze Plan.

Said AV will be calculated annually using the AV Calculator developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) which was implemented in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. If such a calculator is no longer available or in use, the Cooperative will have an independent Actuary to develop the AV of the health insurance plan on an annual basis. In either case, it is the intent that the result will represent an empirical estimate of the AV calculated in a manner that provides a close approximation to the actual average spending by a wide range of consumers in a standard population and that said AV will be equal to 90% for the Platinum Plan, 80% for the Gold Plan, 70% for the Silver Plan, and 60% for the Bronze Plan within an acceptable deviation of+ or-2%.

Any changes to the underlying benefits of the Herkimer County Schools Health Insurance Consortium Standard Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Plans to maintain the respective plan’ s AV will occur no more frequently than once a year with said changes being effective on January 1st each year. During each annual open enrollment process, the active employee will have the opportunity to elect a plan which has an equal or lower AV to the one in which they are presently enrolled under the terms of the Herkimer County School Health Insurance Consortium.

Consent Agenda:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc seconded by Mr. Petucci, the Board of Education formally approved the consent agenda for the 2025-2026 school year.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the reorg supplemental file dated 7/02/2025
a) Review of required District Policies in Effect
The 2025-2026 policy revisions adopted by the Board of Education throughout the school year are available to the public on the district’s website. www.herkimercsd.org
b) Bonding under District Insurance
Recommended to designate the following individuals to be bonded under the district’s insurance policy.

• School Business Manager
• District Treasurer
• District Clerk
• District Tax Collector
• Central Treasurer- Activity Funds
• Purchasing Agent
• Accountant
• Claims Auditor
• Blanket Bond for the District
• Superintendent of Schools

c) Approved Standard Work Day
BE IT HERE RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves the Standard Workday as per attached NYS Local Retirement System Standard Work Day form RS 2418 for the 2025-2026 school year, based upon information provided to the BOE and placed on file.
d) Destruction of Ballots:
BE IT RESOLVED, in accordance with Education Law Section 2036 (6), the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves and authorizes the destruction of ballots from May 21, 2024, along with any previous election ballots and previous district votes retained on file.

On a motion made by Mr. Collis, and seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE adjourned the reorganization meeting at 6:21 p.m. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0.

End of the Re-organizational Meeting –

Public recessed at 6:21 p.m.

Public reconvened at 6:22 p.m.

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:22 p.m. at the Herkimer Middle-Senior High School Media Center by President Brian Crandall.

The Public Hearing meeting for the District Wide Safety Plan was reviewed; No public comments was heard.

Approval of Agenda:
Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the meeting agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0

Approval of the Minutes:
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to approve the regular BOE meeting minutes from Wednesday, June 18, 2025, as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 3:0:1

2025-2026 BOCS Contract of Rental of Facilities Agreement
Mr. Petucci 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 agrees to enter into the 2025-2026 BOCES Contract for Rental of Facilities as presented; and,

THEREFORE, it is the Districts desire for the Board President and the District Clerk to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 7/02/2025

2025-2026 Upstate Cerebral Palsy Agreement
Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby agrees to enter into agreement for the 2025-2026 school year with Upstate Cerebral Palsy to provide educational services for children residing in our district enrolled as day students in the Tradewinds Education Center; and,

THEREFORE, it is the Districts desire for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 7/02/2025
Approval of Chaperones
Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools to approve all District staff members as chaperones for District-sponsored events, as needed, at the chaperone rate of pay for the 2025-2026 school year”.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 7/02/2025
Approval of Tutors
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Collis seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, to approve District teachers as tutors for the 2025-2026 school year and as authorized during the summer months”.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 7/02/2025

2025-2026 Perch Place, LLC Agreement
Mr. Mihevc 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 agrees to enter into agreement for the 2025-2026 school year with Perch Place, LLC for the purposes of increasing the early learning readiness of children entering Kindergarten, Option 1; and

THEREFORE, it is the Districts desire for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 7/02/2025
SPO Agreement
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Collis seconded that this agreement be tabled until after the executive session. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0

Term Appointment
Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded the following Board resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby appoints and employs Richard Schoff to a term position as an Elementary Special Education Teacher, for the maximum period of September 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, subject to earlier termination by the Board of Education. This is a term appointment and is not a probationary appointment. It is specifically acknowledged that Mr. Schoff has agreed to waive any rights he may have to a probationary appointment and consideration for tenure and such agreement is evidenced by a writing signed by both parties.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 7/02/2025

Curriculum Writing
Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded the following Board resolution:

“WHEREAS BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby accepts the Memorandum of Agreement between the Herkimer CSD and the Herkimer Faculty Association (HFA); and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 7/02/2025

MOA – Susan Hayes-Manning
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Collis seconded that this MOA be tabled until after the executive session. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0

Superintendent Updates
A brief discussion followed

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, 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 4:0; Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 7/02/2025

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 4:0

President Crandall provided updates and remarked about graduation

On a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Collis, 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. 4:0 in favor; Motion Carried.

Executive Session:
The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:10 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 8:40 p.m.

SPO Agreement
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Collis seconded a motion to remove from the table the SPO Agreement. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0

“BE IT RESOLVED on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, on a motion made by Mr. Collis, seconded by Mr. Petucci to accept the School Resource Officer (SRO)/Special Patrol Officer (SPO) Agreement between Herkimer County, through the Herkimer County Sheriff’s Office and the Herkimer Central School District per terms and conditions of the agreement for the 2025-2026 school year.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 7/02/2025

MOA – Susan Hayes-Manning
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Collis seconded a motion to remove from the table the SPO Agreement. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0

Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:
“RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District approves the addendum to the agreement between Susan Hayes-Manning and the District and authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to sign the agreement”.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 7/02/2025

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS
Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to remove from the table Staffing Recommendations; All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0
Upon recommendations of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE approved the following personnel action:

Teaching Retirement:
Name: Hayes-Manning, Susan
Position: Teacher
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: January 23, 2026

NAME:	Cave, Kelly
TENURE AREA(s):	Students with Disabilities (7-12)
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA	September 2, 2025
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT	September 1, 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 2, 2025
SALARY	Step 16 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Term Teaching Appointment:

Name: Schoff, Richard
Position: Term Appointment – Special Education Teacher
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 2, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Salary: Step 11 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Short Term Substitute Appointments:
Name: Clarke, Scott
Position: Short Term Substitute Teacher
Location: Middle School
Effective Date: September 2, 2025 – On/About December 1, 2025
Salary: Based on annual payment guidelines for substitutes

Non-Teaching Summer Appointments:
Name: Larzelere, William
Position: Summer Help
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: July 7, 2025 – August 29, 2025 (up to 20 hours per week)
Salary: $15.50 an hour

Name: Petucci, Jacob
Position: Summer Help
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: July 7, 2025 – August 29, 2025 (up to 20 hours per week)
Salary: $15.50 an hour

Adjournment:

On a motion made by Mr. Petucci, and seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 8:45 p.m. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0.

Gina McKernan

School District Clerk