The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Herkimer Jr/Sr High School Cafeteria by Vice President Gilbert and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Superintendent Miller explained the unique situation that occurred after our budget vote. Mr. Crandall, acting President received the third most votes, filling the vacant board seat with a term from May 19, 2021 – June 30, 2022. This situation leaves his current seat open for the remainder of the school year. After a brief discussion, Ms. Gilbert opened up nominations for Board President for this school year. A motion was made by Mr. Petucci and seconded by Mr. Lewis for Mr. Crandall to remain as acting Board President. No other nominations were made, and Ms. Gilbert closed the nominations. All voted in favor of Mr. Crandall remaining as Board President. Motion carried 4-0-1.
At this time, Mr. Crandall was administered the Oath of Office by the Superintendent.
President Crandall explained that since his seat is now vacant, we could appoint Mr. Carney (Elected to BOE with term starting July 1, 2021) for the remaining days this year. A discussion followed and it was decided to continue the conversation in executive session.
President Crandall welcomed members in the audience to tonight’s meeting. He informed the Board that Ms. Fischer is unable to attend.
President Crandall also explained 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. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.
Board Communication:
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. Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to place all appropriate Board Communications on file with the District Clerk. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.
Approval of the Minutes:
Mr. Lewis moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to formally approve the Board of Education Budget Hearing Meeting minutes from Wednesday, May 5, 2021. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.
Capital Project Update Presentation
Brody Neville of King & King Architects presented an update on the 2018 capital project and reviewed what has been completed to date. He stated that there are many items that are near completion, and they anticipate doing much of that work in the summer months. He also reviewed the various projects that will begin in Phase 2. A brief discussion followed.
Business Reports:
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE accepts receipt of the March and April Treasurer’s Report, Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, General Warrant totaling $1,340,524.02, Capital Warrant totaling $543,312.06, Federal Warrant totaling $285,704.75, Trust and Agency Warrant totaling $667,406.20, Expendable Trust Warrant, the April Exceptions Report , HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Treasurer’s Report from March and April, and seven (7) Budget Transfer under the $5,000 total. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 05-19-21)
Budget Transfers Over:
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved three (3) budget transfers over the $5,000 limit totaling $40,000.00. All voted in favor; motion carried 5-0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 05-19-21)
MORIC Equipment Resolution:
Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded to accept/approve the following Board resolution:
WHEREAS, it is the plan of a number of PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS and the MADISONONEIDA BOCES (the “BOCES”) during the 2021-2022 school year to bid jointly for the purchase of various types of computers and technology commodities (the “Commodities”); and
WHEREAS AS, the Herkimer Central 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.
All voted favor; motion carried 5:0
MORIC Multi-Year Broadband Telecommunications Resolution:
Mr. Lewis moved, and Mr. Petucci 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: Broadband Telecommunications as defined on the attached sheet(s).
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 through the provision of said services to the District not to exceed $460.00 monthly, plus any one time vendor installation costs, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Education, for a period of 5 years, beginning on or about May 1, 2021, and ending on or about May 31, 2026.
WHEREAS, it is the District desire to for the Superintendent and the District Clerk to sign this contract on the Boards behalf.”
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0
Intermunicipal Agreement between HCSD & Madison-Oneida BOCES:
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves the attached intermunicipal agreement for certain staff attorney functions between Madison-Oneida BOCES and the Herkimer Central School District as presented. This agreement shall begin July 1, 2021 and shall extend through and including June 30, 2022.
WHEREAS, The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent of Schools and the District Clerk to sign on behalf of the Board to enter into the agreement.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0
Donation to School Resolution (Class of 1999):
Mr. Lewis moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District accepts two (2) purpleleaf sand cherry shrubs as a donation from the Herkimer Central School Class of 1999, in memory of their deceased classmates.” All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0
Donation to School Resolution (Agricultural Education Incentive Grant):
Mr. Lewis moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded to accept/approve the following Board resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby accept receipt of the Agricultural Education Incentive Grant from Cornell University, to increase Revenue A2705 and to increase the Appropriation Code A2110 450H by $750.00 to benefit the Herkimer Central School District Food Science and Food Production classes and to support FFA membership fees”.
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0
Superintendent Report:
Administrative Reports:
Ms. Vogt, Ms. Paragi, Mr. Abbe and Ms. Tomaso’s reports were all reviewed by the BOE. A brief discussion followed.
Staffing Recommendations:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE approved the following personnel actions as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0:
Teaching Retirement:
Name: Lanza, Kimberly
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Location: Jr./Sr. High School
Effective Date: August 1, 2021
Non-Teaching Retirement:
Name: Salamone, Laura
Position: Typist
Location: Jr./Sr. High School
Effective Date: June 29, 2021
Tutor Appointment:
Name: Krause, John
Position: Music Tutorial Services
Effective Date: May 20, 2021 – June 30, 2021
Salary: Per HFA Contract for Tutorial Services Stipend
CSE/CPSE Program / Placement Recommendations:
Upon recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, seconded by Mr. Lewis, 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 5:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 05-19-2021)
Operation Budget Vote Results:
Mr. Lewis moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby accept the 2021-2022 Operations Budget/Board vote results from Tuesday, May 18, 2021.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0
Superintendent Miller expressed that he is thankful for the continued support of the community.
Board of Education Reports:
MOA Herkimer Education Association (HEA):
Mr. Mihevc 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 Education Association (HEA); and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0
Confidential Employees Contracts:
Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, that the Board of Education hereby approves the extension of contracts of the District Treasurer/Transportation Coordinator, and the Secretary of the Superintendent through June 30, 2024, as presented”.
All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0
President’s Update:
President Crandall mentioned that Mr. Voce will need to resign from his BOCES Board seat at the end of June, leaving his seat vacant. The possibility of offering this position to Mr. Samuel Luce was discussed and all board members felt this was a good option.
Future Meeting Dates/Agenda Items:
The next scheduled BOE meeting will be held on Wednesday, June16, 2021 at 6 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. high school cafeteria. The possibility of inviting Ms. Sherwood, Herkimer BOCES Superintendent, was discussed.
Meeting Evaluation:
Mr. Petucci, this evening’s meeting evaluator, presented his review of the May 19, 2021 Board of Education meeting.
Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing particular personnel. 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 Executive Session at 7:05 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 7:54 p.m
Resolution for Appointment of Board Member to Fill Vacant Seat:
“WHEREAS a vacancy has been caused on this Board of Education by reason of the election of Brian Crandall to the vacant seat which has an unexpired term of May 19, 2021 to June 30, 2022;
WHEREAS the Board of Education has by law authority to fill a vacancy for the unexpired term thereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by a majority vote of all the remaining members of the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District that Michael Carney be and hereby is, appointed to serve as a member of the Board of Education of the School District for the remainder of the term for the newly vacant seat from May 19, 2021 to June 30, 2021.
Adjournment: On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 7:55 p.m. All voted in favor 5:0.