Date: June 18, 2025
Kind of Meeting: Regular
Place: Herkimer Middle-High School Library Media Center
Members Present: President Brian Crandall, Vice President Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci (arrived at 6:30 p.m.) and Aleksander Verenich
Members Absent: Diann Fischer
Others Present: Superintendent Kathleen Carney, Chad Hess, Gina McKernan, Zachary Abbe, Nicole Crandall, Renee Vogt, Cristi Paragi, Michelle Ploss, Correne Holmes, Matthew Collis, and students
President Crandall called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Public Comment:
None
Approval of the Agenda:
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Verenich seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0
Approval of the Minutes
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to approve the Board of Education regular meeting minutes from May 28, 2025. All voted in favor; motion carried 3:0:1
Approval of Financial Reports
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the Board approved the following financial reports:
- Treasurer’s Report – May 2025
- General Warrant – May 2025
- Internal Claims Auditors Exception Report – May 2025
- HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Report – May 2025
- Budget Transfers under $5k – May 2025
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Verenich, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the Board approved the following financial report:
- Budget Transfers over $5k – May 2025
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
Mr. Hess provided updates for the Business Office
Funding of District Reserves
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded to accept the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS, section 3651 (1-a) of the Education Law allows a school board to establish a reserve fund to be known as the Tax Certiorari Reserve to be used for the purpose of paying judgments and claims from a tax certiorari proceeding, in accordance with Article 7 of the Real Property Tax Law; and
“WHEREAS, the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education desires to establish a Tax Certiorari Reserve to pay for anticipated liabilities from pending Article 7 cases:
“IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, The Herkimer Central School District Board of Education hereby establishes a reserve to be known as the Tax Certiorari Reserve effective June 30, 2025, in the amount of $50,000.00, for the payment of tax certiorari judgments and claims resulting in challenges to the 2025 tax roll.”
“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does dissolve the tax certiorari reserve pertaining to the 2021 amount as required. The amount equaling $11,500.00 will be returned to unassigned fund balance of the General Fund as of June 30, 2024.
“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby increase the Teachers Retirement System Reserve to the maximum allowable amount as calculated by the District’s Independent Auditors as of June 30, 2025.”
“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby increase the Employees Retirement System Reserve to the maximum allowable amount as calculated by the District’s Independent Auditors as of June 30, 2025.”
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby authorize the funding of the Capital Reserve Fund with the excess of 4% from unassigned fund balance on June 30, 2025, after the designated amount for tax reduction has been set. The allocation of such excess fund balance will be determined subsequent to June 30, 2025, and prior to setting the tax levy.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
Disposal of Surplus Items – IT
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Verenich seconded to accept the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS the Herkimer Central School District owns the items listed on the Fixed Asset Inventory Contral spreadsheet provided by Mr. Verenich which are no longer useful or necessary for the school district’s purpose and are of no value to the Herkimer Central School District, and;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares those items to be surplus as they have no further value to the school district and authorizes the Business Office to inform the appropriate personnel to dispose of those items in the best interest of the school district.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
Disposal of Surplus Items – Library Books (Elementary)
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Verenich seconded to accept the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS the Herkimer Central School District owns the items listed on the Fixed Asset Inventory Contral spreadsheet provided by Mrs. Olds which are no longer useful or necessary for the school district’s purpose and are of no value to the Herkimer Central School District, and;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares those items to be surplus as they have no further value to the school district and authorizes the Business Office to inform the appropriate personnel to dispose of those items in the best interest of the school district.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
Disposal of Surplus Items – Desks and Chairs
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded to accept the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS the Herkimer Central School District owns the items listed on the Fixed Asset Inventory Contral form provided by Mrs. Vogt which are no longer useful or necessary for the school district’s purpose and are of no value to the Herkimer Central School District, and;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares those items to be surplus as they have no further value to the school district and authorizes the Business Office to inform the appropriate personnel to dispose of those items in the best interest of the school district.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
Waiving Readings for Adoption of Policies/Regulations
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Verenich 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 adoption; and
WHEREAS the Board of Education wishes to adopt the following policies recommended by the Policy Committee, to wit, suggestions were sent to the Policy Service to accept revisions and to adopt the following policies:
- #5001 District-Wide Safety Plan
- #5009 Extreme Heat Condition Days
- #7208 Student Use of Internet Enabled Devices
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 policies, and adopts the following policies, incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
HFA Morning Group
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded to accept the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the Memorandum of Agreement to pilot a Morning Groups program for the benefit of its students and in furtherance of its pedagogical mission, between the Herkimer CSD and the Herkimer Faculty Association (HFA); and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Board’s behalf; and
“WHEREAS, the District desires to pilot a Morning Groups program at the Middle-High School level for the benefit of its students and in furtherance of its pedagogical mission; and
WHEREAS, the Association is agreeable to such pilot program for the 2025-2026 school year; and
WHEREAS, the parties have discussed and agreed to the creation of daily morning groups for students and teachers for the 2025-2026 school year to engage in social, emotional and organizational learning activities and strategies and to foster stronger relationships between students and teachers.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
Town of Herkimer Collection of School Taxes
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded to accept the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to sign an agreement between the Town of Herkimer (“Town”) and the Herkimer Central School District for the collection of school taxes;
THEREFORE, it is the districts desire to enter in this agreement, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
Agreement between Owner and Architect
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded to accept/approve the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District 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 Herkimer Central School District 2025-2026 Capital Outlay Project.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
MOA between HCSD and HFA
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Mihevc 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 supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
2025-2026 Retainer Agreement
Mr. Verenich 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 the 2025-2026 Retainer Agreement with Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. as presented; and ,
THEREFORE, it isthe Districts desire for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the agreement on the Boards behalf.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
MOA – Other Monetary Benefits and Payment Plan for Three Hour Blocks of Approved Graduate Study Courses
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Lamanna 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 supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
Superintendent Carney Updates
Administrative Reports
CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Verenich, the Board of Education 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 5:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
Staffing Recommendations
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion by Mr. Verenich, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the Board of Education approved the following personnel actions as presented.
All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 06/18/2025
Non-Teaching Retirement:
Name: Kucerak, Tami
Position: Typist
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: August 19, 2025
Teaching Resignation:
Name: Baker, Talia
Position: Agricultural Teacher
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: June 27, 2025
Teaching Tenure Appointments:
Name: Saunders, Amanda
Location: Middle-High School
Tenure Area: Licensed Teacher Assistant
Probationary Period: 09/01/2021 – 08/31/2025
Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Teaching Summer Appointments:
Name: Young, Hannah
Position: Summer Curriculum Work
Effective Date: July 1, 2025 – August 29, 2025
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
Substitute School Psychologist:
Name: Goldman, Andrew
Position: School Psychologist
Effective Date: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Salary: Per Payment Guidelines for Substitutes
Non-Instructional Substitute Appointment
Name: Farrington, Sandyha
Position: Substitute RN
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Salary: $30.00/hour
Name: Morse, Ella*
Position: Substitute RN
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: June 16, 2025 – June 30, 2025
Salary: $28.00/hour (pending fingerprint clearance)
Summer School Teaching Appointments: (Daily Rate equal to 1/200th of the 15th Step)
All teaching assignments are pending student enrollment; July 7, 2025 – July 31, 2025
| NAME | DAYS WORKED | POSITION |
| Daniel Appley | 8 Days | Summer Fitness |
| Jenna Becker | 16 Days | Classroom Teacher |
| Melissa Brown | 16 Days | Classroom Teacher |
| Aimee Jacobs | 16 Days | Classroom Teacher |
| Shelley Kirkpatrick | 12 Days | Drama |
| Debra Knowlton | 12 Days | Drama |
| Krista Kozma | 8 Days | Summer Fitness |
| Barbara Macri | 16 Days | Classroom Teacher |
| Marissa Maldonado | 16 Days | Classroom Teacher |
| Dawn McCumber | 16 Days | Classroom Teacher |
| Antonio McKoy | 16 Days | Classroom Teacher |
| Stacy Richard | 16 Days | Speech Therapist |
| Rachel Waseleski | 12 Days | STEM |
Summer School Appointments: (Salary per 2025-2026 hourly rate)
All assignments are pending student enrollment; July 7, 2025 – July 31, 2025
| NAME | DAYS WORKED | POSITION |
| Beatriz Barreto | 16 Days | Licensed Teacher Assistant |
| Debbie Briggs | 16 Days | Licensed Teacher Assistant |
| Shannon Grainer | 16 Days | Licensed Teacher Assistant |
| Brenda Hysack | 16 Days | LPN |
| Carrie Marquissee | 16 Days | Licensed Teacher Assistant |
| Janice Wenke | 16 Days | Licensed Teacher Assistant |
| Lynn White | 16 Days | Occupational Therapist |
Summer School Substitute Appointments:
| NAME | POSITION |
| Meghan Beyel | Substitute Teacher |
| Sandhya Farrington | Substitute RN |
| Samantha Kuyrkendall | Substitute Teacher |
2024-2025 College Now Instructors:
Name Position Salary
Lampert, Caroline American History Since 1865 $300
Sheldon, Nicholas Modern World Civilization $300
Coaching Recommendation:
2025-2026 Fall Interscholastic Coaching Appointment:*
Name: Steele, Zachary
Appointment: Varsity Football Head Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
Name: Appley, Daniel
Appointment: Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
Name: Payne, Andrew
Appointment: Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
Name: Luppino, Rocco
Appointment: Modified Football Head Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
Name: Richard, Ross
Appointment: Modified Football Assistant Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
Name: Richard, Stacy
Appointment: Varsity Cheerleading Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
Name: Garrett, Patrick
Appointment: Girls Varsity Soccer Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
2025-2026 Fall Interscholastic Coaching Appointment:(continued)*
Name: Nare, Jennette
Appointment: Girls Modified Soccer Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
Name: Rosenburgh, Chester
Appointment: Boys Varsity Soccer Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
Name: Holliday, Hunter
Appointment: Boys Modified Soccer Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
Name: Clarke, Scott
Appointment: Varsity/Modified Cross Country Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
Name: Beardsley, Sarah
Appointment: Cross Country Assistant Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
Name: Nasypany, Robert
Appointment: Girls Varsity Tennis Coach
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
* 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 Coaching Appointments:
Petucci, Nicholas – Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Watkins, Matthew – Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Hutton, Chelsea – Varsity Cheerleading Assistant Coach
Child Care Leave Request:
Name: Cooper, Kelli
Location: Middle-High School
Effective: On/About August 15, 2025
Anticipated leave approximately 6-12 weeks; pending physicians release
Future Meeting:
President Crandall reminded the Board that July 2 is the reorg and regular board meeting at 6 p.m.
On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Petucci, the Board of Education 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. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0
Executive Session:
The Board moved into the Executive Session at 6:45 p.m.
The Board exited the Executive Session at 8:38 p.m.
Adjournment:
On a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 8:45 p.m. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0
______________________
Gina A. McKernan
School District Clerk
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