The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. in the Herkimer Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria by President Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
President Crandall welcomed members in the audience, staff members, Stephanie White from the Observer Dispatch, and students from Mrs. Scalise’s Social Studies class to tonight’s meeting.
President Crandall explained to all that the Board of Education sets aside time at each Board meeting to give those in the audience an opportunity to address the Board directly on any subject they wished to discuss.
President Crandall explained the BOE welcomes public comment and community input at meetings. However, we caution speakers 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
Joseph Carney, Student Council President, shared with the Board upcoming events SUCO will be assisting with in the month of December.
Approval of the Agenda
Ms. Fischer moved and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
Board Communication
Superintendent Miller indicated that the Board received several informational items that were not included in their Board pack for information only and noted they will be referred to later in the meeting.
Ms. Gilbert moved and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to place all appropriate Board Communications on file with the District Clerk. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
Board Recognitions
Superintendent Miller and several Board members provided the following recognitions:
- Student Artwork that is displayed at tonight’s meeting
- Cast and Crew of the Little Mermaid Jr.
- To the 35 students who were chosen to attend All County on Nov. 1st, however the event was canceled due to the flooding in the area.
- Congratulations to the Varsity Boys Soccer team that made it to sectional.
- The Herkimer Hornets pop warner football team as they finished their season second best in Division 3 Mitey Mites in New York State.
Approval of the Minutes
Ms. Fischer moved and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve Audit Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, October 16, 2019. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
Ms. Gilbert moved and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to formally approve the Regular Board Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, October 16, 2019. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0
Ms. Bray moved and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to formally approve the Special Meeting Minutes of Tuesday, October 20, 2019. Mr. Petrucci, Ms. Fischer and Mr. Mihevc all abstaining; motion carried 4:0:3.
Business Reports
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE accepted receipt of the September Treasurer’s Report, Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, General Warrant totaling $1,611,808.47, Capital Warrant totaling $309,095.34, Federal Warrant totaling $23,741.64, Trust and Agency Warrant totaling $715,273.33, September Exceptions Report, September HHS/HES Extra- Curricular Treasurer’s Report, and four (4) Budget Transfers under $5,000. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.[Material filed in the supplement packet dated 11/20/19].
Budget Transfers Over
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Ms. Bray, the BOE approved three (3) budget transfers over the $5,000 limit totaling $81,930.00. Discussion Followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplement packed dated 11/20/19].
Bid Acceptance Award 2019-2020 Capital Outlay Project
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, Mr. Lewis moved and Ms. Bray seconded the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS, the Board of Education, in accordance with Article 5-A of the General Municipal Law and Education Law, invited sealed proposals for Electrical Work for the Districts 2019-2020 Capital Outlay Project in compliance with the New York State Education Department, which proposals were opened publicly on November 5, 2019 and;
WHEREAS, the District received (9) bids which were opened and recorded accordingly;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby awards the bid for Electrical Work effective November 20, 2019, to Knapp Electric, Inc., the lowest responsible bidder who complied with the bid specifications, such award in the amount of $102,345.00.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11/20/19.]
Return of Unpaid Taxes
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert seconded by Ms. Fischer the BOE approved the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the President of the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District, in the Town of Herkimer, County of Herkimer, NY, be and hereby is authorized, empowered and directed to sign on behalf of said District attached to the “ School Collector’s Return to County Treasurer” of unpaid taxes of said District, which return is for the unpaid taxes assessed upon the lands in said District in the tax list made out and delivered to the Collector on the 14th day of August, 2019 and which return is dated and made on the 12th day of November, 2019.
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental packet dated 11/20/19.]
District Records Resolution
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, on a motion made by Ms. Bray, the BOE approved the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, The Herkimer Central School District shall maintain all digitally created and scanned records in their native digital format for all legally proscribed retention period of the record; and,
WHEREAS, the District shall maintain all digital records adhering to the guidelines set forth in the Regulations of Commissioner of Education Part 185.8;
THEREFORE, Copies of records in other formats, including paper, shall be deemed convenience copies and disposed of when no longer needed for reference or other administrative purposes.
Discussion Followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 [Material filed in the supplemental packet dated 11/20/19.]
Amend Dissolution of Clubs [BOE Meeting 10/16/19]
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer seconded by Ms. Petucci, the BOE approved the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, that by the Herkimer Central School Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby agree that the Garden Club Account, Elementary General Club Account, Elementary Library Club Account, the Class of 2018 Account and the Class of 2019 Account will all be dissolved due to inactivity. The combined remaining balance totaling of $344.09 from the Class of 2018, Class of 2019, and the Garden Club Accounts will be donated to the Herkimer High School Student Council Account.
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 [Material filed in the supplemental packet dated 11/20/19.]
Donations to the school
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE approved the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District accepts the following donation of a softball scoreboard to the Jr. / Sr. High School Athletic Department from the Herkimer County Community College, as well as a donation of a hydroponics aquarium and equipment to the Herkimer High School’s Agriculture program. Discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 11/20/19.]
Creation of a Scholarship Award
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci seconded by Ms. Bray, the BOE accepts the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorized the creation of a scholarship award in honor of the Class of 1959.
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 [Materials filed in the supplemental packet dated 11/20/19].
OMNI 403 (b) Plan Change
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE accepted the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the Hardship and Eligibility amendment made to the Herkimer Central School District’s OMNI 403(b) plan.
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0 [Materials filed in the Supplemental packet 11/20/19].
Annual Fire Inspection Reports
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Bray, seconded by Mr. Petucci, to formally approve acceptance of the Certificate of Occupancy, and the Legal Notice for submission to the local newspaper/ district newsletter. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Materials filed in the Supplemental packet 11/20/19].
Business/ Superintendent Updates
The Superintendent reviewed with the Board of Education the Business Report and Superintendent Updates. A brief discussion followed. [Material filed in the Supplement packet dated 11/20/19]
Administrative Reports
Mr. Abbe, Ms. Tomaso and Ms. Vogt’s reports were reviewed with the BOE. Brief discussions followed.
Staffing Recommendations
Ms. Bray moved Ms. Gilbert seconded the motion to table agenda item 8b. Staffing Recommendations until after executive session. All in favor; motion carried 7:0.
CSE/CPSE Program/ Placement Recommendations
Upon recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Petucci, 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 7:0.
Frankfort-Schuyler CSD Combining Sports
Upon recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made Ms. Bray and seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE approved the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the combining of the Herkimer CSD and Frankfort –Schuyler CSD Girls and Boys Varsity Bowling teams. Discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Materials filed in the Supplemental packet 11/20/19].
Board of Education Reports
President’s Update
Reported back on the NYSSBA conference in which President Crandall and 5 other Board Members attended last month in Rochester.
Future Meeting Updates
The next scheduled BOE meeting will be on Wednesday, December 18th. The meeting time will be changed from 6 pm to 7 pm.
Meeting Evaluation
Mr. Lewis was tonight’s meeting evaluator.
On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert seconded by Ms. Fischer the BOE entered into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters leading to the appointment, employment or promotion of a particular person (s) and negotiations with HFA and CSEA as well as with the village on the SRO contract. The Board may take action in public session after the executive session ends and the Board return to public session. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
Executive Session
The Board moved into Executive Session at 6:33 p.m.
Ms. Paragi entered into executive session at 6:45 p.m.
Ms. Paragi left executive session at 7:52 p.m.
President Crandall declared the public meeting reconvened at 8:45 p.m.
Mr. Mihevc moved and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to remove from the table agenda item 8.b. Staffing Recommendations. Ms. Bray, Mr. Lewis and Ms. Gilbert objected; motion carried 4:3.
Teaching Resignation
Crozier, Courtney, Special Education Teacher, effective December 1, 2019
Substitute Appointment
- Name: Murphy, Sara
- Position: Long-Term Substitute (High School)
- Effective Date: Oct. 30, 2019
- Salary: $202.50 per day
- Name: Barreto, Beatriz
- Position: Long-Term Substitute/Licensed Teaching Assistant (Elementary)
- Effective Date: Nov. 18, 2019
- Salary: $120.00 per day
Volunteer Appointment
- Name: Shepherd, Ryan
- Position: Assist in the IT Department
2019-2020 Winter Coaching Recommendations
- Name: Kurtz, Darryl
- Position: Varsity Indoor Track Co-Coach
- Salary: $1,000
- Name: Richard, Jason
- Position: Varsity Indoor Track Co-Coach
- Salary: $1,000
- Name: Mathy, Richard
- Position: Varsity Indoor Track Unpaid Volunteer
2019-2020 Spring Appointments
- Name: Steele, Zachary
- Position: Varsity Baseball Coach
- Salary: $3,350
- Name: Murphy, Cody
- Position: Modified Baseball
- Salary: $1,900
- Name: Jecko, Vanessa
- Position: Varsity Softball
- Salary: $3,350
- Name: Bello, Brianne
- Position: Modified Softball
- Salary: $1,900
- Name: Richard, Jason
- Position: Boys Varsity Track
- Salary: $3,200
- Name: Clarke, Scott
- Position: Girls Varsity Track
- Salary: $3,200
- Name: Krutz, Darryl
- Position: Varsity Track Assistant Coach
- Salary: $2,000
- Name: Richter, Angela
- Position: Boys Modified Track
- Salary: $1,900
- Name: Heil, Kasy
- Position: Girls Modified Track
- Salary: $1,900
- Name: Smith, Kristin
- Position: Varsity Boys Tennis
- Salary: $2,000
Lifeguard Appointments
Salary: $12/hour on an as-needed basis
- Carney, Joseph
- Flint, Ben
- Gay, Kurstin
- Golicki, Katelyn
- McDonnell, Molly
- Stallman, Spencer
- Voce, Kayleigh
Supervisors
- Heil, Kacy
- Lanza, Kimberly
- Steele, Alan
- Steele, Zachary
On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Petucci the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 8:48 p.m. All voted in favor; 7:0.