The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Herkimer Jr/Sr High School Media Center by President Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
President Crandall explained the BOE 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
No public comment was heard.
Approval of the Agenda
Ms. Gilbert moved and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to formally approve 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. Bray 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. Bray moved and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to formally approve the Regular Board of Education Meeting minutes from Wednesday, September 16, 2020. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Business Report
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, seconded by Ms. Bray, the BOE accepts receipt of the September Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, General Warrant totaling $550,085.18, Capital Warrant totaling $297,817.71, Federal Warrant totaling $517.65, Trust and Agency Warrant totaling $671,701.12, the September Exceptions Report, HES/HHS Extra Curricular Treasurer’s Report and one Budget Transfer under the $5,000 total. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-14-2020]
Budget Transfers Over
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on motion made by Ms. Bray, seconded by Mr. Lewis the BOE approved one budget transfer over the $5,000 limit totaling $28,000. All voted in favor; motion carried 6-0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-14- 2020]
District Financial Audit Report Resolution
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Robert J. Miller, and the District Audit Committee, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the Board accepted the district’s 2019-2020 Independent Audit Report and Extra Classroom Activity Fund Report and Extra Curricular Audit Corrective Action Plan and approved their submission to the New York State Education Department.
All voted in favor; motion carried 6-0.
Dissolution of Clubs Resolution
Ms. Bray moved and Mr. Lewis seconded the following Board resolution :
“BE IT RESOLVED, that by the Herkimer Central School Board of Education, the Class of 2020 extracurricular account will be dissolved due to inactivity. The balance remaining of $310.66 in the class account will be donated to the Herkimer High School Student Council account.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6 – 0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-14- 2020]
Donation Resolution
Ms. Gilbert moved and Mr. Lewis seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby increase Revenue A2705 and to increase the Appropriation Code A2110.450-E by $1,266.00 through the Hannaford Helps School Program for the purpose of Elementary Supplies.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6 – 0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-14- 2020]
Superintendent Report: Superintendent’s Update
We regrettably had our first COVID Positive result in our district at the Herkimer Elementary. We worked with the department of health and identified students and staff impacted. One classroom of less than ten students and a bus were impacted causing about 20 students and 2 staff members moved to remote instruction. The district continues to work with DOH to monitor and we hope all staff and students remain healthy and are returned to in person instruction as soon as possible with no further infections.
All school meals are now free for all students through June 30, 2021. This program extension for our students is critical in these difficult times.
Budget issues associated with uncertainty in state revenues continue. Our tax revenues are flowing as per normal which is a positive. I have delayed budget requests from admin for 2021-2022 until December/January. The district continues to look for ways to reduce expenditures in anticipation of reduced revenues moving forward.
Administrative Reports
Mr. Abbe spoke about remote instruction and trying to increase student attendance. Ms. Tomaso also reported that there have been some remote learning attendance issues but they are being worked on. She informed the BOE that fire drills are going well and reported that the virtual open house was a success. Ms. Vogt also spoke of the successful open house, how students are happy to be back to school and observations are in progress.
Staffing Recommendations
Upon the recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved the following personnel actions; motion carried 6-0:
LTA Appointment Amended (BOE meeting 9-16-2020)
- Name: Barreto, Beatriz
- Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant Position
- Effective: September 1, 2020
- Salary: $24,750
- 4-Year Probationary Period: 09-01-2020 – 08-31-2024
Extra-Curricular Appointments
Freshman Class Advisor
- Name: Sommer, Ashley
- Salary: $1,520
8th Grade Class Advisor
- Name: Lalonde, Jillian
- Salary: $1,520
Amendment
Rosenburgh, Chester E – Statistics (Spring) amended to Sarah Beardsley
2020-2021 College Now Instructor Appointment
- Name: Sarah Beardsley
- Statistics (Spring)
- Salary: Per HFA Contract $300 per course
Information Purposes Only
2020-2021 Student Placement
- Student Teacher: Howard, Noah (Utica College)
- Certification Area: Secondary Social Studies
- Cooperating Teacher: Mrs. Laura Scalise
- Location: Herkimer High School
- Effective: October 26, 2020-December 17, 2020
Authorization Amendment Resolution
Ms. Gilbert moved and Mr. Lewis seconded the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby authorizes the following Authorization amendment, from the Herkimer Central School District reorganizational meeting of July 9, 2020.”
“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby appoint Susan Steele, as District Clerk for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.”
“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby authorize Susan Steele, District Clerk to serve as an Official Bank Signatory on behalf of the district for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.”
“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby authorize Susan Steele, District Clerk to serve as the designee of the Petty Cash fund authorized for the District Office.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6 – 0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-14- 2020)
APPR Lead Evaluator Resolution (Principals)
Ms. Bray moved and Ms. Fischer seconded the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS, that the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education has been provided with evidence that, in accordance with Education Law Section 3012-d, Robert J. Miller has completed training which meets the requirements set forth in Part 30-2.9 of the Rules of the Board of Regents, and the terms of the District’s Annual Professional Performance Review Plan for certification as a Lead Evaluator/ Evaluator of Principals;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Robert J. Miller is hereby re-certified as lead evaluator/ evaluator for Principals.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6 – 0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10- 14-2020)
APPR Lead Evaluator Resolution (Teachers)
Mr. Lewis moved and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education acknowledges that Robert J. Miller, Mary Tomaso, Renee Vogt, Cristi Paragi, Zachary Abbe, and Michelle Ploss have 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 Robert J. Miller, Mary Tomaso, Renee Vogt, Cristi Paragi, Zachary Abbe, and Michelle Ploss are 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].”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6 – 0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-14- 2020)
CSE/CPSE Program I Placement Recommendations
Upon recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, seconded by Ms. Gilbert 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.
Board of Education Reports
Appointment of Impartial Hearing Officer
A request for an impartial hearing having been made, and the Board President having appointed Mr. James Bilik in accordance with Board policy who was the next available person from the District’s rotational hearing officer list,
Upon a motion by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Ms. Fischer, Mr. James Bilik is appointed Hearing Officer in regard to a pending request for a hearing and is requested to issue a decision within the appropriate time period of the law and regulations.
All voted in favor; motion carried 6 – 0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-14- 20)
Waiving Readings for Adoption of Policy 7007 Resolution
Mr. Lewis moved and Ms. Bray seconded the following Board resolution:
WHEREAS, it is customary practice of the BOE to have three readings of a policy prior to its adoption; and
WHEREAS, the BOE wishes to adopt policy 7007 recommended by the Policy Committee, to wit, suggestions were sent to the Policy Service to accept revisions and to adopt Policy 7007.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby waives the BOE’s customary practice of three readings prior to the adoption of policies, and adopts the following policies, incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting.
All voted in favor; motion carried 6 – 0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-14-20)
President’s Update
President Crandall was thankful that our students are able to attend in-person learning and thanked teachers and staff for all their hard work.
Board of Education Member Updates
Pleased that sports were going well with all of the changes that have been occurring.
Future Meeting Dates/Agenda Items
The next scheduled BOE meeting will be on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 6 p.m. The policy committee will meet again on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 5 p.m.
Meeting Evaluation
Ms. Bray, this evening’s meeting evaluator, presented her review of the October 14, 2020, Board of Education meeting.
Ms. Gilbert moved and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel, legal and negotiations.
All voted in favor; motion carried 6-0.
The Board moved into Executive Session at 6:44 p.m. The Board exited Executive Session at 7:29 p.m.
Adjournment
On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Mihevc the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 7:30 p.m. All voted in favor 6:0.