The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. at the Herkimer Elementary School Cafeteria by Vice President Gilbert and the Pledge of Allegiance was said. President Crandall was absent from tonight’s meeting.
Vice President Gilbert explained that 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:
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.
Board Communication:
The Board of Education acknowledged the artwork that was on display from our Elementary as well as Jr/Sr High School students.
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. Carney 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:
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to formally approve the Regular Board of Education Meeting minutes from Wednesday, September 15, 2021. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
Mr. Carney moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to formally approve the Special Board of Education Meeting minutes from Thursday, August 26, 2021. Mr. Petucci abstained from voting due to the fact that he was not in attendance at that meeting; motion carried 5:0:1.
Business Report:
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE accepts receipt of the September Treasurer’s Report, Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, General Warrant totaling $891,392.65, Capital Warrant totaling $610,334.26, the September Exceptions Report, the September HES/HHS Extra Curricular Treasurer’s Report, the Reserve Fund Report and Analysis and Capital Project Change Order Update. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-2021]
Budget Transfers Over:
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Carney, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved four (4) budget transfers over the $5,000 limit totaling $148,000.00. All voted in favor; motion carried 6-0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21)
District Financial Independent Audit Report Resolution:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Robert J. Miller, and the District Audit Committee, on a motion made by Mr. Carney, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the Board accepts the district’s 2020-2021 Independent Audit Report as presented, and approves the submission to the New York State Education Department.
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21)
District Extra-Classroom Activity Fund Audit Report:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Robert J. Miller, and the District Audit Committee, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr. Carney, the Board accepts the district’s 2020-2021 Extra Classroom Activity Fund Audit Report as presented, and approves the submission to the New York State Education Department.
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21)
District Extra-Classroom Activity Fund Corrective action Plan:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Robert J. Miller, and the District Audit Committee, on a motion made by Mr. Carney, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the Board accepted the district’s 2020-2021 Extra Curricular Audit Corrective Action Plan as presented, and approved their submission to the New York State Education Department.
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21).
Dissolution of Clubs Resolution:
Mr. Carney moved and Mr. Petucci seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, that by the Herkimer Central School Board of Education, the Class of 2021 extracurricular account will be dissolved due to inactivity. The balance remaining of $879.57 in the class account will be donated to the Herkimer High School Student Council account.”
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21).
Fire Safety Inspection Report Resolution:
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Carney seconded the following Board resolution:
“NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the annual inspection for the 2021-2022 school year of the Bus Maintenance Facility, Herkimer Jr./Sr. High School, Herkimer Elementary School, Concession/Toilets/Press Box/Storage buildings of the Herkimer Central School District for the fire hazards, which might endanger the lives of the students, teachers and employees therein, has been completed and the report there of is available at the office of the Herkimer Central School District at 801 W. German Street, Herkimer, NY 13350 for inspection of all interested persons.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21).
Trust & Agency Fund Account Closure Resolution:
Mr. Lewis moved, and Mr. Carney seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby approve the closure of the Districts Trust & Agency Fund Savings account. Any remaining funds at the time of closure will be transferred into the General Fund”.
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21).
Change in Rate of Pay Resolution:
Mr. Carney moved and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the rate of pay for substitute Licensed Teaching Assistants (LTA’S) that was previously approved at the July 7, 2021 Reorganizational Meeting, be changed from $12.50 per hour to $13.20 per hour, effective December 31, 2021”.
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21).
Upstate Cerebral Palsy Agreement:
Mr. Lewis moved and Mr. Carney seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby agrees to enter into agreement for the 2021-2022 school year with Upstate Cerebral Palsy to provide educational services for children residing in our district enrolled as day students in the Tradewinds Education Center ; and ,
THEREFORE, it is the Districts desire for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21).
Donation to School Resolution:
Mr. Lewis moved, and Mr. Carney 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 donation from Mr. Brennen Thompson, to increase Revenue A2705 and to increase the Appropriation Code A2855 450H by $3,678.00 to benefit the Herkimer Central School District Athletic Department”.
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental
file dated 10-20-21).
Disposal of Surplus Items Resolution:
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded to accept the following Board resolution:
“WHEREAS, the Herkimer CSD owns the items listed in Part C (Disposal) which are no longer useful or necessary for the school district’s purpose and are of no value to the Herkimer CSD, as indicated in Mrs. Frasier’s Fixed Asset Inventory Control Forms, 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.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21).
Little Falls CSD-Combining Sports Resolution:
Mr. Carney moved and Mr. Mihevc 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 CSD and Little Falls City School District modified wrestling teams.
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21).
Independent Audit Services RFP:
Mr. Petucci moved and Mr. Carney seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Herkimer CSD has the desire to hire an Independent Auditor to perform all the necessary steps to complete the district annual audit requirements.
WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to enter into an agreement for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2022, June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2024, with possible extension for fiscal years ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2026; per terms and conditions of the RFP.”
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21).
Creation of Extra-Curricular Activity Resolution:
Mr. Lewis moved, and Mr. Carney seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District authorizes the creation of the Swing Club Choir as an extra-curricular activity for the 2021-2022 school year;
A brief discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21).
Superintendent Report:
I want to thank the Board of Education for their service to the district during this Board of Education appreciation week. Voluntary service on school boards is under appreciated. We will do a more formal recognition of the full board later in the year when Mr. Crandall is back and the whole board can be here.
The district has initiated weekly surveillance testing of unvaccinated staff. The regional safety office is working to build capacity to provide access to testing for symptomatic staff and students who request it to shorten the period they are out.
We have a regional meeting with public health later this week to discuss quarantines. Vaccinations will soon be available for elementary age students and we will work with public health to provide access to vaccinations for those who want it.
The district has received an additional IDEA grant totaling about $71,000 which may be used over the next two years for special education services and an additional technology grant for about $84,000. The district is in the process of developing a plan for these funds.
We will do an emergency closing test of our communication systems in the next couple of weeks and we prepare for inclement weather. This will allow us to test the accuracy of our data base.
2020-2024 Mentoring Plan Resolution:
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded the following Board resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby adopts the 2020-2024 Mentoring Plan”.
All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-21).
Administrative Reports:
Ms. Vogt, Mr. Abbe and Ms. Tomaso’s reports were all reviewed by the BOE. A brief discussion followed.
Staffing Recommendations
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded the motion to table agenda item 7c. Staffing Recommendations until after Executive Session. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.
CSE/CPSE Program / Placement Recommendations
Upon recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, 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 6:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 10-20-2021)
Board of Education Reports:
President’s Update:
Vice President Gilbert stated that she missed having President Crandall at the meeting and was hoping he would be back soon. She also extended congratulations to the boys soccer team on a great season and for making it to sectionals. The board commented at the students artwork which was on display and Mr. Carney stated that he would like to see more presentations like this in the future.
Future Meeting Dates/Agenda Items:
The next scheduled BOE meeting will be on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 6 p.m. at the Jr./Sr. High School Media Center.
Meeting Evaluation:
Mr. Petucci, this evening’s meeting evaluator, presented his review of the October 20, 2021, Board of Education meeting.
Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to move into Executive Session. 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 9:00 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 9:28 p.m.
Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded a motion to remove from the table, agenda item 7.c. Staffing Recommendations. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the BOE approved the following personnel actions:
Non-Teaching Resignation:
Name: Robinson, Michael
Position: Cleaner
Location: Jr./Sr. High School
Effective Date: October 5, 2021
Teaching Resignation:
Name: Becker, Jenna
Position: Long-Term Substitute/Licensed Teaching Assistant
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: August 31, 2021
LTA Appointment Amended (BOE 09/15/21)
Name: Monahan, Kayla
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Effective Date: October 18, 2021
Salary: $25,000 pro-rated
(Probationary period from October 18, 2021 – October 17, 2025)
LTA Appointment:
Name: Becker, Jenna
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Effective Date: September 1, 2021
Salary: $25,000
(Probationary period from September 1, 2021 – August 31, 2025)
Substitute Appointment Amended: (BOE 09/15/21)
Name: Vickio, Ashley
Position: Long-Term Substitute
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 1, 2021 – June 24, 2022
Salary: $207.50/day
CSE/CPSE Substitute Aide Appointment:
The following are appointed as CSE/CPSE Substitute Aides at St. Francis de Sales School for the 2021-2022 school year as needed, pending fingerprint clearance (Salary per NYS minimum wage guidelines):
Bryan, Sharon
DeCarlo, Kathleen
Dillenbeck, Marianne
Huddleston, MaryLou
Smith, Alesha
Maternity Leave Request:
Jones, Brooke – English/Special Education
Effective on or about: March 23, 2022
Anticipated leave approximately 6-12 weeks; pending a physician’s release
O’Neil (Carney), Jordyn – Licensed Teaching Assistant
Effective on or about: October 15, 2021
Anticipated leave approximately 6-12 weeks; pending a physician’s release
Child Care Leave Request:
O’Neil (Carney), Jordyn – Licensed Teaching Assistant
Effective: on or about November 22, 2021 – June 30, 2022
Home Tutor Appointment:
Name: Lockwood, Teresa
Position: Tutorial Services (District- Wide)
Effective Date: 2021-2022 School Year, as needed
Salary: $25.00/ hr.
Extra- Curricular Appointments:
Name: Denton, Heather
Appointment: Elementary Yearbook Advisor
Salary: $1,850
Name: Irizarry, Julie
Appointment: Elementary Yearbook Assistant
Salary: $1,520
Name: Ritzel, Russell
Appointment: Swing Choir Ensemble Advisor
Salary: $1,520
Coaching Recommendations:
2021-2022 Winter Interscholastic Coaching Appointments*
Name: Blask, Mark
Position: Boys Varsity Basketball
Name: Murphy, Cody
Position: Boys JV Basketball
Name: Alberts, John
Position: Boys Modified Basketball
Name: Appley, Daniel
Position: Boys Modified Basketball
Name: Shepardson, Kelli
Position: Girls Varsity Basketball
Name: Scalise, Laura
Position: Girls JV Basketball
Name: Heil, Kasy
Position: Girls Modified Basketball
Name: Maldonado, Marissa
Position: Girls Modified Basketball
Name: Judd, Ryan
Position: Girls Varsity Volleyball
Name: Steele, Alan
Position: Girls Modified Volleyball
Name: Richard, Jason
Position: Boys/Girls Varsity Indoor Track
Name: Krutz, Darryl
Position: Boys/Girls Indoor Track Assistant
Name: Steele, Zachary
Position: Boys/Girls Varsity Bowling
Salary Per HFA Contract, may be pro-rated as negotiated
* Conditioned upon a sufficient number of schools participating to merit a season with sufficient student participation to field a team.
Mentor Appointments for 2021-2022 School Year:
Carpineti, Jessica, Social Worker (Mentor)
Kayla Klink, Social Worker (Mentee)
Salary per the HFA contract
Paul, Heather, School Counselor (Mentor)
Courtney Bishop, School Counselor (Mentee)
Salary per the HFA contract
Informational Purposes Only
2021-2022 Student Placement
Student Teacher: Phillips, Paige (SUNY Oneonta)
Certification Area: Secondary English
Cooperating Teacher: Mrs. Kristin Smith
Location: Herkimer High School
Effective: October 25, 2021 – December 10, 2021
Adjournment:
On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 9:30 p.m. All voted in favor 6:0.
Susan L. Steele
District Clerk