DRAFT: May 20, 2026, minutes

Present:
Brian Crandall, President
Joseph Lamanna, Vice President
Matthew Collis
Diann Fischer
Robert Mihevc
Scott Petucci
Aleksander Verenich

Landon Ploss, Ex Officio Student Board Member

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

Others Present:
Kathleen A. Carney, Superintendent of Schools
Chad Hess, Business Manager
Michele Gilbert, District Treasurer
Gina McKernan, District Clerk
Staff
Students
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
Kylene Jordan wanted to thank the Board and the school district for the positive things in her son’s education.

Approval of the Agenda
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Petucci 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
• Middle-High School Artwork

Approval of the Minutes
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Collis seconded a motion to approve the regular Board of Education meeting minutes from Wednesday, April 15, 2026, as presented.

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

Approval of the Minutes
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Collis seconded a motion to approve the special Board of Education meeting minutes from Tuesday, May 5, 2026, as presented.

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

Capital Project Updates
• King & King Architects – Brody Neville, Phil Squadrito
• C & S Companies – Cameron Teachout
• Appel Osborne Landscape Architects – Patrick Costello

Approval of Financial Reports
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board approved the following financial reports:
• Treasurer’s Report – April 2026
• General Fund Warrant – April 2026
• HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Report – April 2026
• Exception Report – April 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 5/20/26

Waiving Readings for Adoption of Policies
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Petucci second the following Board resolution:

WHEREAS it is customary practice of the Board of Education to have three readings of a policy prior to its adoption; and

WHEREAS the Board of Education wishes to adopt the following policy recommended by the Policy Committee, to wit, suggestions were sent to the Policy Service to accept revisions and to adopt the following policy:

• Policy 5008 Student Safety
• Policy 5010 Workplace Violence Prevention
• Policy 5100 Automated External Defibrillation
• Policy 5201 School Food Service Program and Meal Change
• Policy 5300 Internet Safety

THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby waives the Board of Education’s customary practice of three readings prior to the adoption of policy, and adopts the above policy, incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting.

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 5/20/26

APPR Lead Evaluator/Evaluators Recertification Resolution (Teachers)
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Collis seconded the following Board resolution:

“Resolved, that the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education acknowledges that Mary Tomaso has completed NYS Education Department training as Lead Evaluator/Evaluators for teachers trained by Assistant Superintendent of the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES for the purposes of Education Law Section 3012-d; and the District’s Annual Professional Performance Review Plan;

“THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Mary Tomaso is hereby re-certified/certified as Lead Evaluator/Evaluators for teachers trained for the purposes of Education Law Section 3012-d; and the District’s Annual Professional Performance Review Plan [APPR]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 5/20/26

Disposal of Surplus Items
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Verenich seconded to accept the following Board resolution

“WHEREAS the Herkimer Central School District owns the items listed on the Fixed Asset Inventory Control form provided by Mr. McKernan which are no longer useful or necessary for the school district’s purpose and are of no value to the Herkimer Central School District, and;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares those items to be surplus as they have no further value to the school district and authorizes the Business Office to inform the appropriate personnel to dispose of those items 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 5/20/26

Senior Class Trip Amended Dates
Mr. Collis moved and Ms. Fischer seconded 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 amend the dates for the approved Senior Class of 2026 field trip to Rocking Horse Ranch Resort to June 1, 2026 – June 2, 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 5/20/26

RIC ONE Risk Operations Center (ROC) Agreement
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District authorizes the attorneys designated by the RIC ONE Risk Operations Center (ROC) Agreement to negotiate and approve of DPAs for software and/or technology resources; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education grants the ROC and its designated attorneys the authority to negotiate the terms and conditions of DPAs and take such actions so as to effectuate the purposes and intent of this resolution.

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 5/20/26

Central Valley Academy – Combining Sports
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Collis seconded the following Board 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 Central Valley Academy Girl’s Modified, Junior Varsity and Varsity Field Hockey teams for the 2026-2027 school year. This is contingent on the approval of Central Valley Academy Board of Education.”

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 5/20/26

Addendum to Superintendent Contract
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby amends the employment agreement between the District and Kathleen A. Carney dated May 20, 2026, and authorizes the Board President to execute said addendum and authorizes payment(s) in accordance therewith.

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 5/20/26

Agreement between HCSD and Lynn White, OT/PT
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded the following Board resolution:

“RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District approves the contract between Lynn White and the District, and authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to sign the agreement, and further
RESOLVED that the Board appoints Lynn White as an Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist Assistant effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, all in accordance with the terms of the above approved contract”.
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 5/20/26

Operations Budget Vote Results
Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Lamanna 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 2026-2027 Operations Budget/Board vote results from Tuesday, May 19, 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 5/20/26

Ex Officio Student Board Member Report

Superintendent’s Updates

Administrative Reports

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, 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 5/20/26

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS
Upon recommendations of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Collis, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the Board of Education approved the following personnel:
STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS

LTA Resignation:

Name: Korce, Erin
Position: LTA
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: May 20, 2026

Teacher Resignation:

Name: Pegg, William
Position: Music Teacher
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: June 26, 2026

Name: Wrap, Jessica
Position: Elementary Teacher
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: August 31, 2026

Teaching Appointments:
NAME: Robinson, Trevin
TENURE AREA(s): Foreign Language – Spanish
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT
OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE
IN EACH TENURE AREA
September 1, 2026
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY
APPOINTMENT August 31, 2030

To the extent required by the applicable provisions of Education Law Section 2509, 2573, 3213 and 3014, in order to be granted tenure, the classroom teacher or building principal shall have received composite or overall annual professional performance review ratings pursuant to Education Law 3012-d of either effective or highly effective in at least three (3) of the four (4) preceding years. If the classroom teacher or building principal receives an ineffective composite or overall rating in the final year of the probationary period, he or she shall not be eligible for tenure at that time. For purposes of this subdivision, classroom teacher and building principal mean a classroom teacher or building principal as such terms are defined in Sections 30-2.2 and 30-3.2 of the Part.
Effective September 1, 2026
SALARY Step 15 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Substitute Recommendation:

Name: Cleary, Cole
Position: Substitute Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: May 11, 2026 – June 26, 2026
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitutes

Name: Judd, Deacon
Position: Substitute Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: May 21, 2026 – June 26, 2026
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitutes

Name: Polus, Abigail
Position: Substitute Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: May 21, 2026 – June 26, 2026
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitutes

Name: Sninchak, Shawna
Position: Substitute Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective Date: May 21, 2026 – June 26, 2026
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitutes

Summer Appointments:

Name: Lemmon, Cassandra
Position: Maintenance
Effective Date: June 29, 2026 – August 28, 2026
Salary: $18.00/hr.

Name: Lyga, Jami
Position: Summer Receiving (Middle-High School)
Effective Date: July 6, 2026 – September 26, 2026
Salary: $18.00/hr.

Name: Moorehead, Melissa
Position: Summer Receiving (Elementary School)
Effective Date: July 6, 2026 – September 26, 2026
Salary: $18.00/hr.

2026 Elementary Summer Enrichment School Teaching Appointments:
(Daily Rate equal to 1/200th of the 15th Step)
All teaching assignments are pending student enrollment; July 6, 2026 – July 23, 2026

NAME DAYS WORKED POSITION
Heather Wheeler-Stapf 4 Days Art Teacher
Shelley Kirkpatrick 8 Days Drama
Debra Knowlton 8 Days Drama
Stacy Richard 2 Days Speech Therapist
Kelly Spence 4 Days STEM 5
Jennifer Olds 4 Days STEM 4
Jennifer Olds 4 Days STEM 3

District Wide Summer Appointment: (Salary per 2026-2027 hourly rate)
Pending student enrollment; July 6, 2026 – July 23, 2026

NAME DAYS WORKED POSITION
Juliette Jones 12 Days RN

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 5/20/26

Board of Education
• President Crandall stated the next regular Board of Education meeting will be Wednesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. at the Middle-High School Library. Graduation is scheduled for Friday, June 26 at 6 p.m. at the Athletic complex or the Middle-High School gym depending on the weather.

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 of particular individuals 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 8:00 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 9:17 p.m.

Adjournment:
On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, and seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board of Education adjourned the public meeting at 9:20 p.m.

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

______________________                                                                                       
Gina A. McKernan
School District Clerk