DRAFT: March 18, 2026, minutes

Present:
Matthew Collis
Brian Crandall, President
Diann Fischer
Joseph Lamanna, Vice President
Robert Mihevc
Scott Petucci
Aleksander Verenich
Landon Ploss, Ex Officio Student Board Member

Administration:
Nicole Crandall
Corenne Holmes
Maria Lindsay
Todd Manley
Cristi Paragi
Michelle Ploss
Renee Vogt

Others Present:
Kathleen A. Carney, Superintendent of Schools
Michele Gilbert, District Treasurer
Chad Hess, Business Manager
Gina McKernan, District Clerk

Heather Denton
Student
Members of the Community

The Board of Education regular meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Herkimer Middle-High School Media Center by Board President Brian Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Public Comment

Kelsee Sperry – addressed the Board questioning the incident at the Elementary School and why parents were not notified.

Approval of the Agenda

Ms. Fischer moved, and Ms. Collis seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

Board Recognized
• Artwork displayed from the Middle-High School Students
• Thank you note from retiree
• Student Spotlight

Approval of the Minutes

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Verenich seconded a motion to approve the regular Board of Education meeting minutes from Wednesday, February 25, 2026, as presented.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

Approval of Financial Reports

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the Board approved the following financial reports:
• Treasurer’s Report – February 2026
• General Fund Warrant – February 2026
• HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Report – February 2026
• Exception Report – February 2026

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 3/18/26

Election Workers for May 19, 2026, Budget Vote

Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded the following Board Appointment:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Herkimer School District Board of Education hereby appoints the following workers for the 2026-2027 Budget Vote/Election:

Name Title Rate of Pay
Robert Nasypany Coordinator $43.32
Franca Wandell Chief Inspector/Chairperson $18.00

Elena Scalise Inspector $18.00
Louise Carney Inspector $18.00

Maria Mackenzie Inspector $18.00
Susan Steele Inspector $39.63

Kim Lanza Inspector (Alternate) $18.00

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 3/18/26

2026-2027 Annual Budget Hearing/Election Review Resolution

“BE IT RESOLVED upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by
Mr. Petucci and seconded by Mr. Mihevc, to formally approve the Board Legal Notice as presented.

The district’s Annual Budget Informational Meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Middle-High School Library Media Center. The Board/Budget vote has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 12-8 p.m. in the Middle-High School Media Center.”

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 3/18/26

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICPATION IN OSWEGO COUNTY BOCES’ COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM

Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded the following:

WHEREAS, The Cooperative Purchasing Service is a plan of a number of public school districts in the Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services Area in New York (known as the Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation [CiTi]), to bid jointly for water testing and sampling services, and

WHEREAS, Herkimer Central School District (hereinafter the “Participant”) is desirous of participating with Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services/CiTi and other Boards of Cooperative Educational Services and public school districts in the joint bidding of the services mentioned above as authorized by General Municipal Law, Section 119-o, and

WHEREAS, The participant wishes to appoint the Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services/CiTi to advertise for bids, accept bids, tabulate bids and award bids on their behalf; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, The participant hereby appoints Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services/CiTi to represent it in all matters relating above, and designates the Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services/CiTi designated newspaper(s) as the legal publication(s) for all Cooperative Purchasing bid notifications, and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The participant authorizes the Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services/CiTi to represent it in all matters leading up to the entering into a contract for the purchase of the above mentioned services, and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The participant agrees to (1) assume its equitable share of the costs of the Cooperative Bidding; (2) abide by majority decisions of the participating districts; (3) abide by the Award of the Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services/CiTi; (4) and that after the award of the bid it will conduct all negotiations directly with the successful bidder(s).

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 3/18/26

Participation in RIC Bids with Non-General Fund Dollars

Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded the following:

WHEREAS it is the plan of a number of PUBLIC-SCHOOL DISTRICTS and the MADISON-ONEIDA BOCES (the “BOCES”) during the 2026-2027 school year to bid jointly for the purchase of various types of computers and technology commodities (the “Commodities”); and

WHEREAS the Herkimer School District (“the School District”) is desirous of participating in the joint bidding of the Commodities, as authorized by General Municipal Law, Article 5-G; and

WHEREAS this Board of Education has received and reviewed the Cooperative Bid Procedures (“the Procedures”) governing its right and responsibilities should it elect to participate in the joint bidding of commodities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in accordance with Cooperative Bid Procedures the Board of Education agrees to award bid purchase item purchases according to the recommendation of the BOCES if such award is in the best interest of the school district.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 3/18/26

Compass Staffing Solutions LLC Agreement

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the agreement between Compass Staffing Solutions, LLC and the Herkimer Central School District to provide staffing services.

WHEREAS it is the district’s desire to enter into this agreement from March 4, 2026, thru June 30, 2026, per terms and conditions of the agreement”.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 3/18/26

Frank J. Basloe Library Proposition

Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District approves adding the Frank J. Basloe Public Library Resolution and the election of members of the Board of Trustees to the ballot for the Annual Budget Vote.”

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 3/18/26

2026-2027 Academic Calendar

Mr. Collis moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded the following Board resolution:

“RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District, upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby adopt the 2026-2027 Academic Calendar.”

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 3/18/26

Ex Officio Student Board Member Report

BOCES Budget Presentation by D.J. Shepardson

2026-2027 Budget Draft Presentation by Superintendent and Business Manager

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Lamann, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the Board of Education approved the Sub-Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Preschool Special Education program/placement recommendations as presented.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 3/18/26

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS

Upon recommendations of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board of Education approved the following personnel:
LTA Resignation:
Name: Deralla, Michael
Position: LTA
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: March 13, 2026

2025-2026 Extra-Curricular Appointments:

Name Position Salary
Schneider, Joshua National Junior Honor Society $1,550 (prorated)

2025-2026 Spring Interscholastic Unpaid Volunteer Coaching Appointment:

Valerio, Logan Varsity Track Unpaid Assistant Coach

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 3/18/26

Board of Education
• President Crandall stated to the Board of Education the next regular Board of Education meeting is at 6pm on Wednesday, April 15, at the Middle-High School Library

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board of Education entered into Executive Session for the purpose of issues pertaining to the employment history of a particular individual leading to the appointment/employment/suspension/discipline of that particular individual. The Board may take action in public session after the Executive Session ends, and the Board returns to public session.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

Executive Session:

The Board moved into Executive Session at 8:10 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 9:30 p.m.

Adjournment:

On a motion made by Mr. Petucci, and seconded by Ms. Fischer, the Board of Education adjourned the public meeting at 9:32 p.m.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
______________________
Gina McKernan
School District Clerk