The regular meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria by President Brian 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, along with Stephanie Sorrell-White, a reporter from the Times Telegram to this evening’s meeting. He informed the Board that Diann Fischer was unable to attend the meeting due to a work commitment, and Michele Gilbert and Patricia Giffune were unable to attend due to a personal commitment.
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 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 Comments
No public comments were heard.
Approval of the Agenda
Mr. Petucci moved and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to formally approve the meeting agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0.
Board Communications
Superintendent Miller indicated that the Board received several informational items that were not included in their Board packet for information only and noted they will be referred to later in the meeting.
Mr. Conley moved and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to place all appropriate Board Communications on file with the District Clerk. All voted in favor, motion carried 4:0.
Board Recognitions
Superintendent Miller and several BOE members provided the following Board Recognitions:
- Student artists were recognized: Bryce Gargas, Isabella Scalise and Scott Parmon (Grade 2), Lea Smith and Avrey Allen (Grade 5), Bella Denapole (Grade 8), Emmi Baker, Anthony Downes and Rylee Edmunds (Grade 9), Natalie Crane and Ella Wilcox (Grade 10), Teresa Pham (Grade 11), Brittany McManus and Lyndsey Bass (Grade 12);
- To the following student-athletics for receiving a 90+ average during the 2nd marking period:
- Boys Basketball: Matthew Gallagher;
- Girls Basketball: Alana Ferri, Cassandra Gilbert, Karlie Helmer, Ally Kirkpatrick, Marion Leskovar, Eliza Marusic, Peyton McKinney, Salena Reinhardt and Abigail Stapf;
- Girls Bowling: Lyndsey Bass and Charlotte Boncella;
- Boys Bowling: Matthew Kelly, Patrick Parese, Tyler Steele and Kyle Bixler;
- Girls Volleyball: Casey Buckley, Maria Humble, Emily Jackson and Kristine Nietes;
- Winter Cheer: Natalie Crane;
- Indoor Track: Spencer Stallman, Zachary Williams, Jesse Richard, Joaquin Nietes, Melia Couchman, Dante Mergenthaler and Evan Maiorano;
- To everyone that participated in the fine show, “Guys and Dolls”;
- Kudos to BOE member Mr. Conley for being smoke free for three (3) years. March 21st marks his third-year anniversary;
- To everyone involved in providing this evening’s refreshments.
Approval of the Minutes
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE approved the regular meeting minutes of Wednesday, February 13, 2019, as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0.
Business Reports
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Conley seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE accepted receipt of the following reports for the month of February 2019: General Warrant, which represents 107 checks with payments totaling $1,004,690.12, a Federal Warrant, which represents four (4) checks with payments totaling $16,892.76; a Capital Warrant, which represents one (1) check with a payment totaling $26,475.00; the Trust and Agency Warrant, which covers items dealing with payroll [insurance, withholdings, etc.], totaled $713,201.26, the HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Treasurer report for January 2019, along with four (4) budget transfers under the $5,000 limit totaling $6,864.00. Discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19]
The BOE acknowledged receipt of the January 2019 Treasurer’s Report, along with Ms. Hein’s, Claims Auditor report, for the month of February in which one (1) exception was noted which has been corrected and payment had been made.
Bid Award Acceptance – 2014 EXCEL Renovations-Phase 3 (Amendment)
Superintendent Miller presented an amendment to the Bid Award Acceptance presented at the February 13, 2019 BOE meeting. The following amended bid proposal was reviewed:
General Construction Contract: Award of contract to the lowest qualified bidder, Beebe Construction Corp., Utica, New York in the following amount:
- Base bid: $553,000
- Alternate L – 0 1: Not taken
- Alternate L – 0 2: Not taken
- Alternate G-07: Not taken
- Alternate G-08: Not taken
- Total: $553,000
Electrical Contract: Award of contract to the lowest qualified bidder, Automation Experts, Inc., Utica, New York in the following amount:
- Base bid: $190,650
- Alternate E-03: Not taken
- Alternate E-04: Not taken
- Alternate E-05: Not taken
- Alternate E-06: Not taken
- Alternate E-09: $5,000
- Alternate E-10: $5,000
- Alternate E-11: $5,600
- Alternate E-12: $31,000
- Total: $237,250
Plumbing Contract: Award of contract to the lowest qualified bidder, Kipper Plumbing & Heating, Altamont, New York in the following amount:
- Base bid: $112,557
- Alternate P-11: $300
- Total: $112,857
HVAC Contract: Award of contract to he lowest qualified bidder, Giruzzi Plumbing & Heating, Inc., Utica, New York in the following amount:
- Base bid: $656,000
- Alternate H-09: $64,000
- Alternate H-10: $31,000
- Alternate H-11: $28,000
- Total: $779,000
Temperature Controls Contract: Award of contract to the lowest qualified bidder, Day Automation, E. Syracuse, New York in the following amount:
- Base bid: $84,728.83
- Alternate H-09: $11,561.58
- Alternate H-10: $8,965.55
- Alternate H-11: $5,400.27
- Total: $110,656.23
These amounts add up to a total construction cost of $1,792,763.23.
Superintendent Miller informed the Board that contracts should be awarded contingent upon receipt of proper bonding and insurance certifications (including review and approval by the District’s legal and insurance counsel) and other required documents from the successful bidder.
Mr. Mihevc moved and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to accept the amended 2014 EXCEL Renovations-Phase 3 to the Elementary School and Jr./Sr. High School (King & KingProject#17-44-5994 as presented. Discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19]
State Environment Quality Review Act [SEQR]
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Petucci who moved its adoption and seconded by Mr. Mihevc to wit:
RESOLUTION DECLARING NO SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT WITH RESPECT TO SCHOOL DISTRICT PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District (the “School District”) desires to undertake a project (the “Project”) consisting of renovations of the Herkimer Elementary School, including but not limited to removal and replacement of existing shower valves, lavatories and sink faucets, upgrades to the heating system and the installation of interior signage required for all of the foregoing purposes; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law, Chapter 43-B of the Consolidated Laws of New York, as amended, and the regulations (the “DEC Regulations”) of the Department of Environmental Conservation of the State of New York (collectively, the “SEQR Act”), prior to any construction being undertaken on such Project or any funds being disbursed to pay costs of the Project other than costs for planning, study and related activities, a determination of environmental significance must be made by the School District; and
WHEREAS, the Project consists of the replacing and upgrading of existing facilities and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, by regulation, replacing and upgrading of existing facilities and infrastructure are classified as Type II actions that have no significant environmental impact; and
WHEREAS, Short Environmental Assessment Forms (“EAFs”) have been completed and reviewed by the Board of Education for the work that is proposed to be done at the Herkimer Elementary School;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the School District, as follows:
Section 1. The Board of Education hereby determines that the Project constitutes a “Type II” action (as such term is defined by the SEQR Act) which will not have a significant effect upon the environment, and further determines that no environmental impact statement or any other determination or procedure is required under the SEQR Act.
Section 2. The President of the Board of Education shall take all action required by the SEQR Act, including the filing of this Resolution in the office of the School District Clerk to be made available for public inspection during business hours.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
This question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows:
- Robert Mihevc: Voting – YES
- Brian Crandall: Voting – YES
- Mark Conley: Voting – YES
- Scott Petucci: Voting – YES
Absent: Diann Fischer, Patricia Giffune, Michele Gilbert
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19]
Clerk of the Works Agreement
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Conley seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE approved the Clerk of the Works Agreement as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19]
USA TIPS Cooperative Contract
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE approved the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby agrees to become a member of the USA TIPS, for the purpose of competitive procurement of goods and services for the district; and,
THEREFORE, it is the District’s desire for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Board’s behalf.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19]
2019-2020 Budget Presentation
Superintendent Miller provided information relating to the 2019-20 Budget Presentation via a PowerPoint presentation.
Mrs. Rodriquez arrived at 6:45 p.m.; Mrs. Sherwood and Daniel Voce arrived 6:47 p.m.
2019-2020 BOCES Budget Presentation
Herkimer County BOCES District Superintendent, Sandra Sherwood and Jodi Rodriquez, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, presented the 2019-2020 Administrative and Capital budgets. Component boards will vote on the BOCES budget and Board seats on April 24, 2019. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19]
BOCES Annual Meeting/Board of Education Nominations
President Crandall explained to the BOE that the BOCES Board of Education has one open seat from our district. Mr. Conley moved and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to nominate Daniel Voce for a three-year term on the Herkimer BOCES Board. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0.
He also reminded the BOE that the BOCES’ Annual Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 4, 2019, at 6 p.m. The BOCES Board/Budget Vote has been scheduled as a part of the regular meeting agenda on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. Please contact Mrs. Judd for registration if interested in attending.
Superintendent’s Reports
Administrative Reports/Updates
Ms. Tomaso, Mr. Abbe, Mrs. Vogt and Ms. Paragi’s reports were reviewed with the BOE.
Staffing Recommendations
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, seconded by Mr. Conley, the BOE approved the following personnel action:
Teacher Resignations
- Name: Reese, Laura
- Position: Special Education
- Location: Jr./Sr. High School
- Effective Date: March 15, 2019
- Name: Johnson, Sarah
- Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant (LTA)
- Location: Elementary School
- Effective Date: April 26, 2019
2019 Spring Interscholastic Unpaid Coaching Appointments
- Maldonado, Marissa—Modified Softball Unpaid Volunteer Assistant Coach
- Steele, Alan—Varsity Baseball Unpaid Volunteer Assistant Coach
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19]
CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, 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 4:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19]
Herkimer County Board of Elections – User Agreement
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, seconded by Mr. Petucci the BOE approved the Herkimer County Board of Elections – User Agreement as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19.]
Frank J. Basloe Library Propositions
According to Superintendent Miller, the library trustees of the Frank J. Basloe Library passed a resolution to include the appropriations for the Frank J. Basloe Library and the election of a member of the Board of Trustees.
Candidates will be able to pick up nominating petitions and instructions at the library and on their website. Each candidate requires at least 25 petition signatures from district residents and must be filed at the Herkimer CSD District Office by 5 p.m. on April 22, 2019.
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, seconded by Mr. Petucci the BOE accept the Frank J. Basloe Library Budget resolution approved at its February 18, 2019 in the amount of $323,855 as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19.]
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, seconded by Mr. Conley the BOE accept the Frank J. Basloe Library Trustee resolution approved at its February 18, 2019 as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19.]
2019-2020 Annual Budget Hearing/Election Resolution Review
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Conley, to formally approve the Board Legal Notice as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19.]
The district’s Annual Budget Informational Meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria; The Board/Budget vote has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, 2019, from 1-9 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School Media Center.
Appointment of Election Workers
Superintendent Miller reviewed the list of election workers for the Tuesday, May 21, 2019, Operations Budget/Board Vote.
Mr. Conley moved and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the list of election workers as follows:
- 1-9 p.m.: Robert Nasypany, Coordinator; Sandra Zeman, Coordinator; Franca Wandell, Chief Inspector
- 1-5 p.m.: Elena Scalise, Inspector; Louise Carney, Inspector
- 5-9 p.m.: Nancy McGuire, Inspector; Susan Steele, Inspector; Sharon Judd, Alternate; Sherry Farrington, Alternate.
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0.
Central Valley Academy – Combining Sports
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc seconded by Mr. Conley, the BOE approved the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the combining of the Herkimer Central school District and the Central Valley Academy Boy’s Tennis team. This is conditioned upon the approval of Central Valley Academy Board of Education meeting which has been scheduled for March 27, 2019.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19]
Senior High Trip Request
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Conley, seconded by Mr. Petucci, to approve a Senior Class trip request which has been scheduled for June 14-15, 2019, to Philadelphia/Hershey, PA. A trip itinerary had been provided to the BOE. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 03/13/19]
Board of Education Reports
President’s Update
President Crandall commended the students on a wonderful performance of “Guys and Dolls”. He also remarked on how many individuals and teams made sectionals or hit their personal record during the 2018-2019 Winter Interscholastic season. Congratulations to all participants on a job well-done.
Future Meeting Dates
Superintendent Miller reminded the BOE that the next School Board of Education meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria, and he confirmed that a quorum would be present for that meeting. He noted a Policy Committee meeting will meet at 5 p.m. prior to the regular meeting.
Meeting Evaluation
Mr. Mihevc, this evening’s meeting evaluator, presented his review of the March 13, 2019, Board of Education meeting. It was a good meeting, ran smoothly, well-structured and organized; all aspects of the meeting evaluation were effectively met.
Mr. Conley moved and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to move into an executive session for the purpose of discussing tenure status, particular matter involving negotiations with CSEA Part-time, CSEA Full-time, Herkimer Faculty Association (HFA), Herkimer Education Association (HEA) units. 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 4:0.
Executive Session
The Board moved into an executive session at 8:04 p.m.
Mr. Zachary Abby and Mrs. Renee Vogt joined the BOE in executive session at 8:05 p.m. for the purpose of discussing personnel issues relating to probation and tenure.
Mr. Abbe left the executive session at 8:15 p.m., and Mrs. Vogt left the executive session at 8:40 p.m.
President Crandall declared the public meeting reconvened at 9:13 p.m.
On a motion made by Mr. Conley, seconded by Mr. Mihevc the BOE adjourned the public 9:15 p.m. All voted in favor; motion carried 4:0.