The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria by President Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
President Crandall welcomed members in the audience and staff members, students from Mrs. Scalise’s Social Studies class, and Stephanie Sorrell-White, a reporter from the Times-Telegram to this evening’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, gave a brief overview of upcoming Student Council events.
Ms. Jordan wanted to give a compliment to the CSE/CPSE office. She had addressed the board a while back with concerns. Those concerns had recently been addressed and handled in a timely manner.
Approval of the Agenda
Superintendent Miller suggested to the Board if we could change the order of tonight’s presenters to have the Policy Services first followed by Emily Popek.
Ms. Gilbert moved and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0.
Kristine Kipers and Jennifer Russ- Labor Relations/ Policy Service
Gave a brief overview of the Policy Service as well as the Audit Review process. A brief discussion followed.
Emily Popek, Herkimer CSD Public Information Officer
Presented the Board with a brief overview of the service she provides through Capital Region BOCES, and her goals for the School District. Discussion followed.
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 Ms. Fischer 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:
- HHS student Artists were recognized.
Public meeting recessed at 6:23 p.m.
Public meeting reconvened at 6:27 p.m.
Approval of the Minutes
Mr. Lewis moved and Ms. Herringshaw seconded a motion to formally approve the Regular Board Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, August 14, 2019. Ms. Fischer and Mr. Petucci abstained: motion carried 5:0:2.
Ms. Gilbert moved and Mr. Petucci seconded a motion to formally approve the Special Board Meeting Minutes of Tuesday, August 20, 2019. Ms. Fischer and Ms. Herringshaw abstained: motion carried 5:0:2.
Business Reports
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Herringshaw, seconded by Mr. Petucci the BOE accepted receipt of the Treasurer’s Report, Revenue Budget Status Report, General Warrant totaling $2,155,948.92, Capital Warrant totaling $663,706.60, Trust and Agency Warrant totaling $275,561.16, Exceptions Report, July 2019 HHS/HES Extra- Curricular Treasurer’s Report, Capital Project Budget/ Change Order update, three (3) Budget Transfers under $5,000, the Reserve Fund Report and Analysis (Year-End Summary Report). All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material files in the supplement packet dated 9/18/19].
2019-2020 BOCES Contract for Rental Facilities
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, Ms. Fischer moved and Mr. Lewis 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 the 2019-2020 BOCES Contract for Rental of Facilities as presented; and ,
THEREFORE, it is the Districts desire for the Board President and the District Clerk to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental file dated 9/18/19.]
Disposal of Surplus Items
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE approved to dispose of several items which is no longer useful or necessary for the school district purposes and of no value to the Herkimer CSD. Discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in the supplemental packet dated 9/18/19.]
Valley Health Services Agreement
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer, seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE approved the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the agreement between the Valley Health Services and the Herkimer Central School District for the 2019-2020 school year as presented; and ,
WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.” Discussion followed. All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material files in supplemental packet 9/18/19].
Central Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired Agreement:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Fischer seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Herkimer CSD has the need for an independent contractor to perform rehabilitation services set forth herein and enters into such an agreement with Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to enter into this agreement commencing on September 5, 2019 thru June 25, 2020; per terms and conditions of the agreement”.
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Materials filed in the Supplemental packet 9/18/19].
Simply Special Learning Agreement
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Herringshaw seconded by Ms. Gilbert, the BOE approved the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Herkimer CSD has the need for an independent contractor to perform educational and therapeutic services set forth herein and enters into such an agreement with Simply Special Learning Center, LLC during the 2019-2020 school year for two (2) students in the Home Instruction Program.
WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to enter into this agreement for the 2019-2020 school year; per terms and conditions of the agreement.” All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Material filed in Supplemental Packet 9/18/19].
Treaty Program of Catholic Charities of Herkimer Co. Agreement
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc, seconded by Ms. Gilbert to approve the following resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED, the Herkimer CSD has agreed upon the TREATY programming set forth herein and enters into such an agreement with Catholic Charities of Herkimer County during the 2019-2020 school year.
WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to enter into this agreement for the 2019-2020 school year; per terms and conditions of the agreement.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Materials filed in the Supplemental packet 9/18/19].
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 9/18/19]
Superintendent’s Report
Administrative Reports
Ms. Vogt, Mr. Abbe, Ms. Tomaso and Ms. Paragi’s reports were reviewed with the BOE. Brief discussions followed.
Staffing Recommendations
Upon the recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE approved the following personnel actions:
Amend Teaching Appointment: (BOE Meeting 8-20-19)
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 (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.
Crozier, Courtney
Tenure Area: Special Education
Amended Effective Probationary Period: September 20, 2019 – September 19, 2023
Salary: Step 2 ($41,080) per the 2016-2020 HFA contract
Academic Intervention Service (AIS) Assignments:
- Name: Olds, Jennifer
- Grade Level: Grade 3 – Math
- Days Worked: 2 days/ week
- Salary: $2,250
- Name: Engell, Sara
- Grade Level: Grade 3 – Math
- Days Worked: 2 days/ week
- Salary: $2,250
- Name: Brown, Melissa
- Grade Level: Grade 4 – Math
- Days/ Worked: 2 days/ week
- Salary: $2,250
- Name: Ellinger, Amberlynn
- Grade Level: Grade 4 – Math
- Days/Worked: 2 days/ week
- Salary: $2,250
- Name: Macri, Barb
- Grade Level: Grade 5 – Math
- Days/ Worked: 2 days/ week
- Salary: $2,250
- Name: Johnson, Marie
- Grade Level: Grade 5 – Math
- Days/ Worked: 2 days/ week
- Salary: $2,250
Substitute Appointment:
Wandell, Franca, Secretary Substitute
Effective Date: July 1, 2019
Salary: $23.70/ hour
Extra-Curricular Appointments:
- Lamanna, Sara, Elementary Student Council Assistant
- Salary: $1,320
- Heil, Kasey, After-School Swim Instruction
- Salary: $4,400
- Baker, Talia, FFA
- Salary: $1,320
- Schoff, Richard, Intramural Club
- Salary: $1,320
2019 Fall Coaching Recommendation:
Jackson, Kobe, Varsity Football Unpaid Volunteer Assistant Coach
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.
Board of Education Reports
Memorandum of Agreement between Herkimer CSD and HFA:
Upon recommendation from Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Mr. Mihevc and seconded by Ms. Fischer, the BOE approved the following resolution:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the BOE hereby accepts the Memorandum of Agreement between the Herkimer CSD and the Herkimer Faculty Association (HFA); regarding the Opt Out/ Dual Coverage dated September 18, 2019 and, for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the contract on the Boards behalf.”
Discussion followed. All in favor; motion carried 7:0. [Materials filed in the Supplemental packet 9/18/19]
President’s Update
President Crandall wanted to thank Ms. Manley and Ms. Tomaso for handling of all the last minute requests students were making to their class schedules.
Mr. Mihevc wanted to recognize the HES student musicians that played during the village’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony.
Future Meeting Updates
Superintendent Miller reminded the BOE that the next regularly scheduled meeting is for Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 6 p.m. at the Herkimer Elementary School. At 5:00 p.m. there will be a Safety Meeting and at 5:30 p.m. an Audit Committee Meeting prior to the BOE meeting.
Meeting Evaluation
Mr. Mihevc 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 the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person. As well as a discussion of a particular student. 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 7:0.
Mr. Lewis left at 7:16 p.m.
Executive Session
The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:26 p.m.
Mr. Miller left the executive session at 8:06 p.m.
Superintendent Miller joined the BOE in executive session at 8:53 p.m.
President Crandall declared the public meeting reconvened at 8:53 p.m.
On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Ms. Herringshaw the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 8:55 p.m. All voted in favor; 6:0.