DRAFT Sept. 16, 2026, minutes

Present:
Brian Crandall, President
Joseph Lamanna, Vice President
Matthew Collis
Robert Mihevc
Scott Petucci (arrived 6:55 p.m.)
Audrey Piccione
Aleksander Verenich
Braysen Richard, Ex Officio Student Member

Administration:
Nicole Crandall
Maria Lindsay
Correne Holmes
Danielle Moore
Cristi Paragi
Michelle Ploss
Renee Vogt

Others Present:
Kathleen A. Carney, Superintendent of Schools
Chad Hess, Business Manager
Gina McKernan, District Clerk
Teachers
Members of the community

The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order by President Brian Crandall, at 6:00 p.m. in the Elementary School Cafeteria and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Administration of Oath of Office to Ex Officio Student Members of the Board
• Braysen Richard

Hearing for District Wide Attendance Policy

Public Comment
None

Approval of Agenda:
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Verenich seconded a motion to formally approve the meeting agenda as submitted.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0

Board Recognition – Thank you note

Approval of the Minutes:
Mr. Piccone moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to approve the regular Board of Education meeting minutes from Wednesday, August 26, 2026, as presented.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 09/16/2026

Curriculum Council Projects – 2026 Presentations

Business Reports Approval of Financial Reports
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the Board approved the following financial reports:
• Treasurer’s Report – August 2026
• General Fund Warrant – August 2026
• Elem/MS/HS Extra-Curricular Report – August 2026
• Exception Report – August 2026

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 09/16/2026

Appointment of Ed Law 2-D Officer
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Kathleen A. Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board of Education formally approves the following 2026-2027 school year Designation of Appointment:

Ed Law 2-D Officer:
To approve the appointment of Dennis Roy as our point of contact person to whom can facilitate more efficient communication on behalf of our district related to NYS Education Law 2-D.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 09/16/2026

MOA – Co-Curricular Club Advisor(s)
Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded the following Board resolution:
WHEREAS, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby accepts the Memorandum of Agreement between the Herkimer Central School District and the Herkimer Faculty Association (HFA); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Superintendent of Schools is hereby authorized to execute the Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of the Board of Education.
Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 09/16/2026

Policy Review
Mr. Petucci moved, seconded by Ms. Piccone, to table consideration of the following policies:
i. Adoption
• Policy 7003 – Determination of Student Residency
• Policy 7004 – Admission of Non-Resident Students
ii. Deletion
• Policy 7005 – Student Dismissal
• Policy 7007 – Educational Stability for Students in Foster Care

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0

Superintendent Updates

Ex Officio Student Report

Administrative Reports

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board of Education approved the Sub-Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Preschool Special Education program/placement recommendations as presented.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0 – Material filed in the regular supplemental file dated 09/16/2026

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

Amendment:
Danielle Moore – Expiration Date of Probationary Appointment – Amend from September 16, 2030 to August 16, 2030 [BOE Meeting: [08-05-2026]

Non-Instruction Resignation:
Name: Lamanna, Sara
Position: School Counselor
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 13, 2026

LTA APPOINTMENT:
Name: Wagner, Ethan
Position: LTA
Location: MS-High School
Effective Date: September 1, 2026
Salary: Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
(Probationary Period from September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2030)

Short-Term Substitute Teacher Appointment:
Name: Carey, Alexis
Position: Short Term Substitute Teacher
Location: Elementary School
Effective: September 1, 2026 – on/about December 23, 2026
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute Teacher

LTA Substitute Appointments:
Name: Williams, Connell
Position: Substitute LTA
Location: Middle-High School
Effective: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: Based on annual payment guidelines for substitute LTA

Non-Instructional Substitute Appointment:
Name: Yung, Jocelyn
Position: Substitute Teacher Aide
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 14, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: $17/hour

Mentor Appointment for 2026-2027 School Year:
MENTEE MENTOR
Traut, Hailey – Speech Therapist Richard, Stacy

2026-2027 Extra-Curricular Appointments:
Name – Position – Salary
Gosier, Amberlyn – Computer Club Advisor – $1,580
Jones, Brooke – High School Pep Club Co-Advisor – $790
Roy, Dennis – Middle School E-Sports Advisor – $1,580
Roy, Dennis – High School E-Sports Advisor – $1,580
Scalise, Laura – High School Pep Club Co-Advisor – $790

Board of Education
President Crandall advised the Board that on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., Michael Ross, Auditor from West & Co., will present the findings from the district’s most recent audit in the Middle-High School Library. The regular scheduled Board of Education meeting will follow at 6:00 p.m.

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board of Education entered into Executive Session for issues pertaining to pending or current litigation, issues pertaining to the appointment/employment for staffing. The Board may take action in public session after the Executive Session ends and the Board returns to public session.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0

Executive Session:
The Board moved into Executive Session at 8:20 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 9:20 p.m.

Policy Review:
Ms. Piccone moved, seconded by Mr. Collis, a motion to take policies off the table.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0

Waiving Readings for Adoption
Mr. Collis moved, and Ms. Piccone seconded the following Board resolution:

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

WHEREAS, the Board of Education wishes to adopt a policy recommended by the Policy Committee,

• Policy 7003 Determination of Student Residency
• Policy 7004 Admission of Non-Resident Students
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby waives the Board of Education’s customary practice of three readings prior to the adoption of a policy, and adopts the following policy, incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0

Waiving Readings for Adoption of Deletion of Policies
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded the following Board resolution:

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

WHEREAS, the Board of Education wishes to delete the following policies, as recommended by the Policy Committee, with suggested revisions having been submitted to the Policy Service:

• Policy 7005 Student Dismissal
• Policy 7007 Educational Stability for Students in Foster Care

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby waives its customary practice of three readings prior to the deletion of these policies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby deletes the above-referenced policies, which are incorporated by reference into the minutes of this meeting.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0

Adjournment:
On a motion made by Mr Verenich, and seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board of Education adjourned the public meeting at 9:23 p.m.

Yeas: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Audrey Piccone, Aleksander Verenich
Nays: 0
Abstained: 0

_____
Gina McKernan
School District Clerk