The Board of Education Budget Hearing Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Herkimer Jr/Sr High School Cafeteria by President Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
This meeting was open to the public, but could also be viewed live via a web link on the district’s website, www.herkimercsd.org. A recording and transcript from the meeting will also be made available following the meeting.
President Crandall explained due to the current circumstances in our community regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, our Board of Education meetings are being conducted virtually. Because of this, members of the public who wished to submit a comment for the Board of Education meeting had the opportunity to email cczerwinski@herkimercsd.org prior to the meeting. 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.
Approval of the Agenda:
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to remove agenda items 9d and 9e and send them back to committee. A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to formally approve the remaining items in the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
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 Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to place all appropriate Board Communications on file with the District Clerk. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Approval of the Minutes:
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to formally approve the Regular Board of Education Meeting minutes from Wednesday, April 14, 2021. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Business Reports:
2021–2022 Budget Hearing Presentation
President Crandall introduced Superintendent Miller to formally present and review the proposed 2021 – 2022 Operations Budget.
Superintendent Miller provided information relating to the 2021 – 2022 Operations Budget via a PowerPoint presentation as follows. A brief discussion followed:
Public Comment:
The Board of Education heard no comments from the public.
The public meeting recessed at 6:35 p.m.
President Crandall reconvened the public meeting at 6:36 p.m.
Superintendent Reports:
School Resource Officer (SRO) Agreement:
Mr. Lewis moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves the School Resource Office (SRO) agreement between the Village of Herkimer and the Herkimer Central School District.
WHEREAS, The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to sign on behalf of the Board to enter into the agreement.”
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Staffing Recommendations:
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded the motion to table agenda item 7b. Staffing Recommendations until after Executive Session. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Approval of Rates Resolution:
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the rate of pay for video live streaming for district wide athletic events at a stipend rate of $25/game, effective March 1, 2021”.
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Board of Education Reports:
Ratification of the Herkimer Faculty Association Employees Unit (HFA):
Mr. Petucci moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS, the negotiating teams for the Herkimer CSD and the Herkimer Faculty Association (HFA) employees unit executed a Tentative Agreement on April 23, 2021, calling for a four-year successor collectively negotiated agreement to the one that expires on June 30, 2021; and
“WHEREAS, legislative approval is required by the Board of Education (BOE) in order to implement the funding of said Agreement;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby accepts the Tentative Agreement between the Herkimer CSD and the Herkimer Faculty Association (HFA) covering the period from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025, and authorizes the funding of those monies necessary to implement the provision of the collectively negotiated agreement; and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Ratification of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Full-time Non-teaching Unit:
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS, the negotiating teams for the Herkimer CSD and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Full-time Non-teaching unit executed a Tentative Agreement on April 23, 2021, calling for a four-year successor collectively negotiated agreement to the one that expires on June 30, 2021; and
“WHEREAS, legislative approval is required by the Board of Education (BOE) in order to implement the funding of said Agreement;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby accepts the Tentative Agreement between the Herkimer CSD and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Full-time Non-teaching unit covering the period from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025, and authorizes the funding of those monies necessary to implement the provision of the collectively negotiated agreement; and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Ratification of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Part-time Non-teaching Unit:
Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Fischer seconded the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS, the negotiating teams for the Herkimer CSD and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Part-time Non-teaching unit executed a Tentative Agreement on April 23, 2021, calling for a four-year successor collectively negotiated agreement to the one that expires on June 30, 2021; and
“WHEREAS, legislative approval is required by the Board of Education (BOE) in order to implement the funding of said Agreement;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby accepts the Tentative Agreement between the Herkimer CSD and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Part-time Non-teaching unit covering the period from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025, and authorizes the funding of those monies necessary to implement the provision of the collectively negotiated agreement; and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
President’s Update:
President Crandall expressed his thankfulness for everything that has been done in order to have/keep our students in school. Mr. Mihevc informed the Board of Education that Mrs. Donna Wilcox, a former board member for many years, passed away. He wanted to recognize her for her friendship and for her years of service, and expressed how much she will be missed.
Future Meeting Dates/Agenda Items:
The budget vote will take place on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm and the next scheduled BOE meeting will take place the following day on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 6 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School cafeteria. It was discussed that there may be a meeting added in June for a workshop, or the workshop may be included in the regularly scheduled meeting on June 16, 2021. More information will follow at a later time.
Meeting Evaluation:
Mr. Mihevc, this evening’s meeting evaluator, presented his review of the May 5, 2021, Board of Education meeting.
Ms. Gilbert moved, and Ms. Fischer 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 6:0.
Executive Session:
The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Miller exited Executive Session at 8:10 p.m.
Mr. Miller returned to Executive Session at 8:56 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 8:57 p.m.
Mr. Lewis moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to remove from the table, agenda item 7.b. Staffing Recommendations. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE approved the following personnel actions: All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0:
STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS:
Resignation:
Name: Becker, Jenna
Position: Long-Term Substitute/LTA
Effective Date: April 18, 2021
Substitute Appointment:
Name: Becker, Jenna
Position: Long-Term Substitute
Effective Date: April 19, 2021 – June 30, 2021
Salary: Based on Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute
Name: Darcangelo, Alexa
Position: Short-Term Substitute
Effective Date: May 10, 2021 – June 25, 2021
Salary: Based on Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute
Tutor Appointment:
Name: Kosina, Jean
Position: Tutorial Services
Effective Date: April 22, 2021 – June 30, 2021
Salary: Per HFA Contract for Tutorial Services Stipend
Coaching Recommendations:
2020-2021 Fall II Interscholastic Coaching Appointment (Amended BOE 04/14/21):
Name: Scherer, Mitchell
Position: Modified Football Assistant (Amended from unpaid volunteer)
Salary Per HFA Contract, may be pro-rated as negotiated
2020-2021 Spring Interscholastic Unpaid Coaching Appointment:
Steele, Alan – Varsity Baseball Unpaid Assistant
Shepardson, Kelli – Varsity Softball Unpaid Assistant
Maldonado, Marissa – Modified Softball Unpaid Assistant
Adjournment:
On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 8:59 p.m. All voted in favor 6:0.