The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. in the Herkimer Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria by President Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
President Crandall welcomed members in the audience, and staff members to tonight’s meeting. He informed the Board that Ms. Fischer will be joining us by video commuting.
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 speakers 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 Hearing — Use of Repair Reserve
The following resolution was offered by Mr. Petucci and seconded by Mr. Lewis to-wit:
A RESOLUTION, DATED MARCH 18, 2020, OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (THE “BOARD”) OF THE HERKIMER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, HERKIMER COUNTY, NEW YORK (THE “DISTRICT”) AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE TRANSFER OF UP TO $20,000 FROM THE DISTRICT’S REPAIR RESERVE FUND TO THE DISTRICT’S GENERAL FUND TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DISTRICT’S NON-EMERGENCY PROJECTS (AND THE SITE THEREOF)
WHEREAS, the Board of Education (“Board”) of the Herkimer Central School District, Herkimer County, New York (“District”) has held a public hearing, on March 18, 2020, following the posting and publication of the appropriate public notice as required by law, for the purpose of obtaining public input regarding the proposed transfer of up to $20,000 from the District’s repair reserve fund to the District’s general fund for a particular purpose, at which hearing the Board considered any and all public input received;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby authorizes and directs the transfer of up to $20,000 from the District’s repair reserve fund to the District’s general fund (during the District’s 2019-2020 budget year) to pay for the repair of and improvements to the District’s non-emergency projects (and the site thereof), as generally discussed at the public hearing; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate District officials be, and they hereby are, authorized to undertake any and all actions necessary to effectuate the intent and operation of this resolution.
The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to vote on a roll call, which resulted as follows:
Brian Crandall: YES
Michele Gilbert: YES
Brandee Bray: YES
Richard Lewis Jr.: YES
Robert Mihevc: YES
Scott Petucci: YES
Diann Fischer-via telecommute: YES
The foregoing resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.
Public Comment
No public comment were heard
Approval of the Agenda
Mr. Petucci moved and Ms. Bray seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried.
Board Communication
Superintendent Miller indicated that the Board received several informational items that were not included in their Board pack for information only and noted they will be referred to later in the meeting.
Ms. Gilbert moved and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to place all appropriate Board Communications on file with the District Clerk. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
Approval of the Minutes
Ms. Gilbert moved and Ms. Bray seconded a motion to formally approve the Regular Board Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, February 12, 2020. Ms. Fischer abstained; motion carried 6:0:1.
Mr. Mihevc moved and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the Special Board Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Ms. Fischer abstained; motion carried 6:0:1.
Ms. Bray moved and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to formally approve the Regular Board Meeting Minutes of Tuesday, February 25, 2020. Ms. Fischer abstained; motion carried 6:0:1.
Business Reports
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Bray seconded by Mr. Mihevc the BOE accepted receipt of the January and February Treasurer’s Reports, Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, General Warrant totaling $1,084,114.29, Federal Warrant totaling $ 25,494.40, Capital Warrant totaling $110,321.46, Trust and Agency Warrant totaling $724,748.97, the February Exceptions Report, HES/ HHS Extra Curricular Treasurer’s Report, and one Budget Transfers under the $5,000 total. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplement packet dated 3-18-20]
Budget Transfers Over
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Ms. Gilbert the BOE approved 2 (two) budget transfers over the $5,000 limit totaling $137,000.00. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplement packed dated 3-18-20]
Gifts to the school
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Lewis who moved its adoption and seconded by Mr. Mihevc, 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 A2705 and to increase the Appropriation Code A2850.400.H by $1,600 through the Herkimer Footlighters Drama Club to help offset the cost of the orchestra for the musical.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplement packet dated 3-18-20].
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Mihevc who moved its adoption and seconded by Ms. Bray, 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 A2705 and to increase the Appropriation Code A2110.450.E by $900.00 through the United Way of the Valley & Greater Utica Area, Inc.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental packet dated 3-18-20].
Disposal of Surplus Items
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Bray seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE approved to dispose of items which are no longer useful or necessary for the school district purposes, and of no value to the Herkimer CSD. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
[Material filed in the supplemental packet dated 3-18-20].
Management Advisory Group Services Agreements [MAGS]
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE formally accepted to enter into the 2020-2021 Management Advisory Group Services Agreements [MAGS] as presented. Discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental packet dated 3-18-20].
State Environment Quality Review Act [SEQR]
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, the following resolution was offered by Ms. Gilbert 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 technology, security and energy management system upgrades; 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;
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:
Brian Crandall, President: YES
Michele Gilbert, Vice President: YES
Brandee Bray: YES
Diann Fischer: YES
Richard Lewis, Jr.: YES
Robert Mihevc: YES
Scott Petucci: YES
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Materials filed in supplement packet dated 3/18/2020]
Bailment Agreement
Upon recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Bray and seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the Bailment Agreement, dated March 19, 2020 between the Herkimer CSD (the Bailor) and the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego Board of Cooperative Educational Services (Bailee) as presented to the Board at this meeting, a copy of which Bailment Agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.” All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Materials filed in supplement packet dated 3/18/2020]
Superintendent’s Reports
2020-2021 Budget Presentation
Superintendent Miller provided to the Board via PowerPoint presentation information relating to the 2020-2021 Proposed Budget. Discussions followed. [Material filed in the supplement packet dated 3-18-20]
Administrative Reports
Mr. Abbe, Ms Tomaso, Ms. Paragi, and Ms. Vogt’s reports were all reviewed with the BOE.
Staffing Recommendations
Ms. Bray moved Mr. Mihevc seconded the motion to table agenda item 10.b Staffing Recommendations until after executive session. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations
Upon recommendation from 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 7:0.
Frank J. Basloe Library Propositions
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr. Mihevc the BOE accepted the Frank J. Basloe Library Budget Resolution in the amount of $334,464 and the election of members of the Board of Trustee to the ballot for the Annual Budget Vote. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplement packet dated 3-18-20]
Appointment of Election Workers/ Inspectors
Superintendent reviewed the list of election workers for Tuesday, May 19, 2020 Annual Budget Vote. Ms. Gilbert moved and Ms. Bray seconded a motion to formally approve the list of election workers as follows:
- Franca Wandell, chief inspector, 12 p.m.-close
- Elena Scalise, inspector, 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
- Louise Carney, inspector, 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
- Nancy McGuire, inspector, 4 p.m.-close
- Susan Steele, inspector, 4 p.m.-close
- Sherry Farrington, alternate, 12 p.m.-close
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplement packet dated 3-18-20]
2020-2021 Annual Budget Hearing/ Election Resolution Review
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Bray, seconded by Mr. Petucci, to formally approve the Board Legal Notice as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 3-18-20].
Board of Education Reports
President’s Update
President Crandall wanted to give a compliment to all the students involved with this year’s Spring Musical “Newsies.”
Future Meeting Updates
The next scheduled BOE meeting will be on Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Meeting Evaluation
Ms. Gilbert was tonight’s meeting evaluator.
On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert seconded by Mr. Petucci the BOE entered into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing litigation of a particular personnel, as well as the negotiation of the HFA contracts. 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 7:0.
Executive Session
The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:20 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 8:07 p.m.
Adjournment
On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Ms. Bray the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 8:09 p.m. All voted in favor 7:0.