DRAFT: Sept. 17, 2025, minutes

Date: September 17, 2025

Kind of Meeting: Regular

Place: Herkimer Elementary School – Cafeteria

Members Present: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci and Aleksander Verenich

Members Absent: Diann Fischer

Others Present: Superintendent Kathleen Carney, Chad Hess, Gina McKernan, Maria Lindsay, Nicole Crandall, Renee Vogt, Michelle Ploss, Corenne Holmes, Cristi Paragi, Michele Gilbert, Landon Ploss and several teachers

---

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m. in the Herkimer Elementary School Cafeteria and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Administration of Oath of Office

At this time the District Clerk administered the Oath of Office to the following:

Landon Ploss – Ex Officio Student Member of the Board

Public Comment

None

Approval of the Agenda

Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Collis seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

Board Recognized Thank You Note from Retiree

Approval of the Minutes

Mr. Collis moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded a motion to approve the regular BOE meeting minutes from Wednesday, August 20, 2025, as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0

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 2025
• General Warrant – August 2025
• Internal Claims Auditors Exception Report – August 2025
• Extracurricular Summary Report – August 2025
• Budget Transfers under $5k – August 2025

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0; Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09/17/2025

Mr. Hess provided updates for the Business Office

Policy Review – Adoption

Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Collis 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 a policy recommended by the Policy Committee,
• Policy 7100 Student Health and Dental Exam

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby waives the BOE’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.

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 – Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09/17/2025

APPR Lead Evaluator/Evaluators Recertification Resolution (Principals)

Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Collis 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, Kathleen Carney has completed training which meets the requirements set forth n 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 Kathleen Carney 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 09/17/2025

APPR Lead Evaluator/Evaluators Recertification Resolution (Teachers)

Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded the following Board resolution:

“Resolved, that the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education acknowledges that Nicole Crandall, Maria Lindsay, Todd Manley, Cristi Paragi, Michelle Ploss and Renee Vogt 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 Nicole Crandall, Maria Lindsay, Todd Manley, Cristi Paragi, Michelle Ploss and Renee Vogt 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]s.”

All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0 – Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09/17/2025

MOA – Indoor Track Assistant Coach Stipend

Mr. Petucci moved, and Mr. Verenich seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District hereby approves the Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Herkimer Central School District (HCSD) and the Herkimer Faculty Association (HFA) as presented;

WHEREAS, the parties enter into this agreement effective retroactive July 1, 2025, and 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 09/17/2025

Superintendent Updates

Student Representative Report

Administrative Reports

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Pettucci, seconded by Mr. Collis, the BOE approved 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 09/17/2025

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS:

Mr. Mihevc moved, seconded by Mr. Lamanna, a motion to table staffing recommendations until after the executive session. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0

President Crandall provided updates and reminded the BOE the next meeting is October 15, 2025, at the Middle-High School Library. Also, the Auditor will be in at 5:30 on October 15 to discuss his findings.

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE entered into Executive Session for the purpose of legal and personnel issues. The Board may take action in public session after the Executive Session ends, and the Board returns to public session. 6:0 in favor; Motion Carried.

Executive Session:

The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:51 p.m.

The Board exited Executive Session at 9:24 p.m.

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS

Mr. Verenich moved, and Mr. Lamanna seconded a motion to remove from the table Staffing Recommendations; All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0
Upon recommendations of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Collis, seconded by Mr. Petucci, the BOE approved the following personnel action:

Amendments:

Culver, Melinda – RN – Amend probationary to 09/02/25-03/02/26 [BOE Meeting: 07-30-2025]

Manley, Todd – School Building Leader – Amend effective date from September 19, 2025, to September 15, 2025, and Probationary Period to September 15, 2025 – September 14, 2029 [BOE Meeting: 08-20-2025]

Paul, Heather – Amend Pep Club Co-Advisor to Single Advisor- $1550 [BOE Meeting: 07-30-2025]

Poltynski, Karen – Middle-High School Teacher- Amend position from .66 Spanish Teacher to .76 Spanish Teacher effective 09/02/25-06/30/26 [BOE Meeting: 04-16-2025]

Resignation:

Name: Carnright, Angie
Position: LTA
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 17, 2025

Name: Giles, Shontashia
Position: Office Assistant 1
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 16, 2025

Teaching Appointment:

NAME: Steele, Tyler
TENURE AREA(s): Physical Education
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: September 2, 2025
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: September 1, 2029

To the extent required by the applicable provisions of Education Law Section 2509, 2573, 3213 and 3014, in order to be granted tenure, the classroom teacher or building principal shall have received composite or overall annual professional performance review ratings pursuant to Education Law 3012-d of either effective or highly effective in at least three (3) of the four (4) preceding years. If the classroom teacher or building principal receives an ineffective composite or overall rating in the final year of the probationary period, he or she shall not be eligible for tenure at that time. For purposes of this subdivision, classroom teacher and building principal mean a classroom teacher or building principal as such terms are defined in Sections 30-2.2 and 30-3.2 of the Part.
Effective September 2, 2025
SALARY Step 1 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract

Substitute Teacher Appointment:

Name: Steere, Sheila
Position: Substitute Teacher
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 8, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute Teacher

Substitute Nurse Appointment:

Name: Pike, Rachel
Position: Substitute RN
Location: District Wide
Effective: September 18, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Salary: Annual Payment Guidelines for Substitute RN

Mentor Appointments for 2025-2026 School Year:

Mentor: Lamanna, Sara – School Counselor
Mentee: Steele, Tyler – Elementary Physical Education Teacher
Salary: $1,200

2025-2026 Spring Interscholastic Unpaid Coaching Appointments:

Steele, Alan – Volunteer Varsity Football Assistant Coach

Adjournment:

On a motion made by Mr. Collis, and seconded by Mr. Lamanna, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 9:26 p.m. All voted in favor; motion carried 6:0.

______________________
Gina McKernan
School District Clerk