The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. at the Herkimer Jr./Sr. High School Library Media Center by President Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
President Crandall explained that the Board of Education 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 Comment:
The Board of Education heard no comments from the public.
Approval of the Agenda:
Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Carney seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Ms. Baker’s Agricultural Class Landscape Design Presentation:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the presentation had to be postponed.
Board Recognitions:
President Crandall acknowledged the artwork that was on display from our Elementary as well as Jr./Sr. High School students, and the thank you note from Herkimer BOCES District Superintendent, Ms. Sandra Sherwood.
Approval of Superintendent’s Contract:
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:
“RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District approves the contract between Mrs. Kathleen A. Carney and the district, and authorizes the President of the Board of Education to sign the agreement, and further
RESOLVED that the Board appoints Mrs. Carney as Superintendent of Schools and Chief Executive and Administrative Officer, effective July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026, all in accordance with the terms of the above approved contract”.
Motion carried 5:0:1 (Mr. Carney abstained). (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 05/18/22)
A short recess followed to congratulate Superintendent Carney. The meeting was called to order again at 6:15.
Approval of the Minutes:
Mr. Carney moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to formally approve the Board of Education Special Meeting minutes from Thursday, April 28, 2022. Motion carried 6:0.
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Carney seconded a motion to formally approve the Board of Education Annual Budget Meeting minutes from Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Motion carried 6:0.
Business Reports:
Upon the recommendation of Interim Superintendent Tutty, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer and seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE accepts receipt of the April Treasurer’s Report, Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, General Warrant totaling $1,950,754.56, Capital Warrant totaling $15,021.05, Federal Warrant totaling $51,317.50, the April Exception Report, the April HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Treasurer’s Report, 2018 Capital Project Change Order Update and two (2) Budget Transfers under the $5,000 total. A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 05-18-22)
Budget Transfers Over:
Upon the recommendation of Interim Superintendent Tutty, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE approved two (2) budget transfers over the $5,000 limit totaling $70,000.00. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 05-18-22).
MORIC Multi-Year Administrative Computer Services Resolution
Ms. Fischer moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded to accept/approve the following Board resolution:
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District desires to enter into a 5 year contract with the Madison-Oneida BOCES in order for the Mohawk Regional Information Center to furnish certain services to the District pursuant to Education Law 1950(4)(jj), those services being: CoSer 602-7710 Administrative Computer Services.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District agrees to enter into a contract with the Madison-Oneida BOCES for the provision of said services to the District not to exceed $115,301.00, plus related borrowing fees, plus Regional Information Center support during the term of this contract, finalized by the Superintendent, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Education, for a period of 5 year(s); 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26.
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor: motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 05/18/22).
2022-2023 Capital Outlay Project-Owner/Contractor Agreement:
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded to accept/approve the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education 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 following Project 2022/2023 Capital Outlay Project”.
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 05/18/22)
HJ Brandeles Corporation Change Order Resolution:
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby accepts receipt of Change Order HC-08 from HJ Brandeles Corp., in the amount of $35,791.00. The Change Order amount is above the Board President’s preauthorized limit as agreed upon at the annual reorganizational meeting in July 2021, and
WHEREAS, it is the Board’s desire for the Board President to sign on the their behalf.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental filed dated 05/18/22)
Land Swap Discussion:
On a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, and seconded by Ms. Fischer, it was agreed that Item 9n (Land Swap Discussion) be tabled. All voted in favor. Motion carried 6:0.
Business Office Update:
Ms. Karen Mettler, part-time Business Manager, informed the Board that she and Ms. Frasier have finished working on the P-Tech Grant and they continue working on Fund Balance. The board was informed that the new auditors were in our District and were finishing up their preliminary work. Ms. Mettler also mentioned that the fitness equipment was listed this week on Auction International. A brief discussion followed.
Superintendent Report:
Interim Superintendent Tutty shared a handout that showed the history of our school budget votes over the years. He commented that although our budget vote this year had a low turnout compared to previous years, it had the highest percentage of “yes” voters. He was pleased with this, and that our budget and all propositions passed. He welcomed Mr. Verenich as he was newly elected to the Board and congratulated Mr. Crandall and Mr. Mihevc on being re-elected. Interim Superintendent Tutty also mentioned that there were MOA’s on the agenda for approval tonight, but there was some concern with the MOA relating to start/dismissal times. For this reason, he will pull that one from the agenda and make sure the issues are resolved for a future meeting. A brief discussion followed.
Administrative Reports:
Mr. Abbe, Ms. Tomaso Ms. Paragi and Ms. Vogt gave an overview of their reports, which were all reviewed by the BOE.
Staffing Recommendations:
Upon the recommendation of Interim Superintendent Tutty, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE approved the following personnel actions as presented. All voted in favor. Motion carried 6:0.
Teacher Resignation:
Name: Becker, Hannah
Position: Long-Term LTA Substitute
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: April 25, 2022
Name: Harris, Shannon
Position: Science Teacher
Location: Jr./Sr. High School
Effective Date: August 31, 2022
Name: Thuener, Jessica
Position: Long-Term LTA Substitute
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: May 3, 2022
Abandonment of Position:
Name: Wilcox. Elizabeth
Position: Cleaner
Location: Jr./Sr. High School
Effective Date: March 20, 2022
LTA Appointment:
Name: Becker, Hannah
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Effective Date: April 26, 2022
Salary: $25,000
(Probationary period from April 26, 2022 – April 25, 2026)
Name: Thuener, Jessica
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Effective Date: May 4, 2022
Salary: $25,000
(Probationary period from May 4, 2022 – May 3, 2026)
Summer School Appointments: (Salary per hourly rate)
| Name | Days Worked | Position |
| Beatriz Barreto | 16 days | LTA |
| Jenna Becker | 16 days | LTA |
| Debbie Briggs | 16 days | LTA |
| Sandhya Farrington | 16 days | RN |
| Brenda Spanfelner | 16 days | LTA |
| Lynn White | 16 days | Occupational Therapist |
All teaching assignments are pending student enrollment
Summer School Teaching Appointments: (Salary 1/200th of Step 15 of the 2021-2025 HFA Contract)
| Name | Days worked | Position |
| Melissa Brown | 16 days | Classroom Teacher |
| Amberlyn Ellinger | 16 days | Classroom Teacher |
| Kelly Koegel | 16 days | Classroom Teacher |
| Marissa Maldonado | 16 days | Classroom Teacher |
| Roger Maxam | 16 days | Classroom Teacher |
| Dawn McCumber | 16 days | Classroom Teacher |
| Jennifer Olds | 4 days | STEM |
| Stacy Richard | 16 days | Speech Therapist |
| Maris Sekel | 16 days | Classroom Teacher |
| Kristin Stallman | 16 days | Classroom Teacher |
| Heather Wheeler-Stapf | 16 days | Art |
| Michalyn Winkler | 8 days | STEM |
All teaching assignments are pending student enrollment
Summer School Substitute Teaching Appointment: (Salary 1/200th of Step 15 of the 2021-2025 HFA Contract)
| Name | Postion |
| Meghan Beyel | Substitute Teacher |
| Samantha Kuyrkendall | Substitute Teacher |
CSE/CPSE Program / Placement Recommendations:
Upon recommendation from Interim Superintendent Tutty, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Carney, 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 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 05-18-22)
Operation Budget Vote Results:
Mr. Carney moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District upon the recommendation of the Interim Superintendent of Schools, does hereby accept the 2022-2023 Operations Budget/Board vote results from Tuesday, May 17, 2022.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 05/18/22)
Intermunicipal Agreement Resolution:
Ms. Fischer moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded to accept/approve the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS, Education Law, section 1950(14) allows Boards of Cooperative Educational Services and their component school districts to enter into agreements providing for the acquisition, construction and reconstruction of facilities designed to house services to be provided by such BOCES and for the sharing of the cost of such acquisition, construction or reconstruction; and
WHEREAS, General Municipal Law, Article 5-G authorizes school districts and BOCES to enter into intermunicipal agreements to carry out any function or responsibility each has authority to undertake alone; and
WHEREAS, the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego Board of Cooperative Educational
Services (“BOCES”) is preparing for a capital project to improve, repair and renovate its buildings and facilities known as The William E. Busacker Education Complex, located at 352 Gros Boulevard, Herkimer, NY 13350, and The Remington Education Complex, located at 77 East North Street, Ilion, NY 13357; and
WHEREAS, the District has undertaken a reasonable review of the Capital Project and has determined that the project will benefit the District’s students; and
WHEREAS, the District desires to enter into an agreement with the BOCES to share the cost of the Capital Project;
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Herkimer Central School Board of Education hereby approves the Intermunicipal Agreement for the repairs, improvements and renovations to HFHO BOCES facilities, buildings and grounds, dated May 18, 2022, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement and authorizes the payment of money as set forth therein.”
A brief discussion followed. Motion carried 5:1:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 05/18/22)
Board of Education Reports:
MOA – Licensed Teaching Assistant:
Mr. Petucci moved, and Ms. Gilbert 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 Interim Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Board’s behalf.”
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 05/18/22)
MOA – HFA Start/Dismissal Times:
Interim Superintendent Tutty informed the Board that the information in this memorandum of agreement has since changed since uploading and it was recommended that this item be skipped until further notice. All agreed.
Drug Testing Discussion:
President Crandall stated that there was some concern regarding the fact that students were tested for alcohol before entering the prom. A discussion followed regarding the legality of this testing.
President’s Update:
President Crandall reflected on the positives of the past year and stated that he was looking forward to all end of year celebrations. Mr. Carney announced that due to circumstances that have arisen, he will be resigning from his BOE seat, effective June 30, 2022. Discussions followed regarding the upcoming BOE vacancy and how the seat should be filled. All agreed that the new Board member should finish out the remainder of Mr. Carney’s term, and that someone should be appointed in June.
Future Meeting Dates/Agenda Items:
The next scheduled BOE meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at 6 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School Library Media Center. All agreed on date and time.
Meeting Evaluation:
Ms. Fischer, this evening’s meeting evaluator, presented her review of the May 18, 2022, Board of Education meeting. She felt the meeting was run efficiently and was appreciative that all material was sent in a timely matter.
Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Carney seconded a motion to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing 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 6:0.
Executive Session:
The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:10 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 8:06 p.m.
Adjournment:
On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Carney, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 8:08 p.m. All voted in favor 6:0.
Susan L. Steele
District Clerk