The Regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. at the Herkimer Jr/Sr High School Cafeteria by President Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
President Crandall explained 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. Lewis moved, and Mr. Carney seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.
Approval of the Minutes: Mr. Carney moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded a motion to formally approve the Board of Education Regular Meeting minutes from Wednesday, August 18, 2021. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0.
Business Reports:
Upon recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE accepts receipt of the July and August Treasurer’s Report, Revenue Status Report, Appropriation Status Report, General Warrant totaling $776,254.90, Capital Warrant totaling $930,506.02, the August Exceptions Report , HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Treasurer’s Report from July and August, 2018 Capital Project Change Order Updates and two (2) Budget Transfer under the $5,000 total. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09-15-21)
Budget Transfers Over: After a brief discussion, and upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Carney, the BOE approved one (1) budget transfers over the $5,000 limit totaling $50,000.00. All voted in favor; motion carried 5-0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09-15-21)
Valley Health Services Agreement: Ms. Gilbert 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 accepts the agreement between the Valley Health Services and the Herkimer Central School District to provide advanced planning for an emergency evacuation for Valley Health Service Residents in a case where a disaster takes place and warrants an evacuation; and , WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to enter into this agreement from September 23, 2021 thru September 22, 2022; per the terms and conditions of the agreement”.
All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09-15-21)
Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Agreement: Mr. Carney moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board 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 7, 2021 thru June 24, 2022; per terms and conditions of the agreement”.
All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09-15-21)
Donation to School Resolution: Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Lewis seconded to accept/approve the following Board resolution: “BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District accepts ten (10) backpacks filled with school supplies as a donation from Murphy Excavating Corporation, to distribute to students in need at the middle school and high school levels.”
All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09-15-21)
FoltsBrook Center 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 accepts the agreement between the FoltsBrook Center and the Herkimer Central School District to provide advanced planning for an emergency evacuation for FoltsBrook Center Residents in a case where a disaster takes place and warrants an evacuation; and, WHEREAS, it is the Districts desire to enter into this 5 year agreement commencing on April 26, 2021; per the terms and conditions of the agreement”.
All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09-15-21)
Superintendent Report:
1. Schools opened successfully. We are working through some transportation issues. Thanks to all of the hard work of our staff and administration in getting our schools open in these difficult times.
2. We have had school exposures and out of school exposures to COVID 19 resulting in some quarantines which have been disruptive.
3. The work on Phase 1 of the 2018 project continues. The boilers should be fully operational by the third week of the school year and the architect believes the timelines for commissioning the boilers will be sufficient to keep the buildings at temperature. Counter tops are in for the science labs which should allow those spaces to be completed soon. There is first shift work in the boiler rooms and crawl spaces with most other work being completed in second shift.
4. Fire Safety Inspections are complete. Some minor corrections were made. The Board will have a chance to review them at the next board meeting.
5. Congratulations to Heather McCutcheon for being a finalist for teacher of the year in NYS. She represented the district well as always and it is an honor for her and the district.
Administrative Reports: Ms. Vogt, Mr. Abbe and Ms. Tomaso’s reports were all reviewed by the BOE. A brief discussion followed.
Staffing Recommendations:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Miller, on a motion made by Ms. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Lewis, the BOE approved the following personnel actions as presented. All voted in favor; motion carried 5:0:
Teaching Resignation:
Name: Lewandrowski, Kory
Position: Long-Term Substitute
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 1, 2021
Non-Teaching Resignation:
Name: Abounader, Kelly
Position: School Psychologist
Location: District-wide
Effective Date: September 1, 2021
Staffing Appointments:
NAME: Bello, Brianne
TENURE AREA(s): Library Media Specialist
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: September 22, 2021
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: September 21, 2025
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.
Effective: September 22, 2021
SALARY: Step 1. 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
NAME: Lewandrowski, Kory
TENURE AREA(s): Physical Education
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: September 1, 2021
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: August 31, 2025
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.
Effective: September 1, 2021
SALARY: Step 1 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
NAME: Peyton, Leah
TENURE AREA(s): Secondary Science
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE IN EACH TENURE AREA: September 1, 2021
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: August 31, 2024
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.
Effective: September 1, 2021
SALARY: Step 19 2021-2025 Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
LTA Appointments:
Name: Smith, Sirena
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Effective Date: September 7, 2021
Salary: $25,000 pro-rated
(Probationary period from September 7, 2021 – September 6, 2025)
Name: Monahan, Kayla
Position: Licensed Teaching Assistant
Effective Date: September 30, 2021
Salary: $25,000 pro-rated
(Probationary period from September 30, 2021 – September 29, 2025)
LTA Appointment Amended: (BOE 08/03/21)
Name: Appley, Daniel
Position: 6 Licensed Teaching Assistant
Effective Date: September 1, 2021
Salary: $25,000 pro-rated
(Probationary period from September 1, 2021 – August 31, 2025)
Substitute Appointment:
Name: Appley, Daniel
Position:.5 Long-Term Substitute
Location: High School
Effective Date: September 7, 2021 – June 24, 2022
Salary: $207.50/day pro-rated
Name: Sperry, Melissa
Position: Long-Term Substitute
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 7, 2021 – June 24, 2022
Salary: $207.50/day
Name: Vickio, Ashley
Position: Long-Term Substitute
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: September 7, 2021 – June 24, 2022
Salary: $207.50/day
Remote Instruction Appointment(s):
Name: Ellinger, Amberlynn
Position: Remote Instruction for 1 hour per day on an as needed basis
Salary: $50.00/hr.
Extra- Curricular Appointments:
Name: Scalise, Laura
Appointment: Sr. High Student Council Advisor
Salary: $2,450
Name: Jones, Brooke
Appointment: Sr. High Student Council Assistant
Salary: $1,850
Name: Smith, Kristin
Appointment: Senior Class Advisor
Salary: $2,220
Name: McCutcheon, Heather
Appointment: Junior Class Advisor
Salary: $1,670
Name: Elias, Melissa
Appointment: Sophomore Class Advisor
Salary: $1,670
Name: Sommer, Ashley
Appointment: Freshman Class Advisor
Salary: $1,670
Name: Gordon, Terry
Appointment: Sr. High Band Director (Jazz)
Salary: $1,850
Name: Gordon, Terry
Appointment: Marching Band Director
Salary: $2,250
Name: Orilio, Ryan
Appointment: Yearbook/ Technical Advisor
Salary: $2,450
Name: Bello, Brianne
Appointment: Yearbook/Financial Advisor
Salary: $2,450
Name: Meyer, Chanel
Appointment: Language Club Advisor
Salary: $1,520
Name:Sheldon, Nicholas
Appointment:UN Club Advisor
Salary: $1,520
Name: Lampert, Caroline
Appointment: Senior National Honor Society
Salary: $1,520
Name: Manning- Hayes, Susan
Appointment: Junior National Honor Society
Salary: $1,520
Name: Bello, Brianne
Appointment: SADD Advisor
Salary: $1,520
Name: McCutcheon, Heather
Appointment: Art Club Advisor
Salary: $1,520
Name: Baker, Talia
Appointment: National FFA Advisor
Salary:$1,520
Name: Jory, Cheryl
Appointment: 6th Grade Advisor
Salary: $1,670
Name: Bailey, Jennifer
Appointment: 7th Grade Co-Advisor
Salary: $835
Name: Harris, Shannon
Appointment: 7th Grade Co-Advisor
Salary: $835
Name: Lalonde, Jillian
Appointment: 8th Grade Advisor
Salary: $1,670
Name: McGraw, Dana
Appointment: Middle School Yearbook
Salary: $1,670
Name: Paul, Heather
Appointment: Pep Club
Salary:$1,520
Name: Lalonde, Jillian
Appointment: Fall Theatrical Production Advisor
Salary:$1,850
Name: Ritzel, Russell
Appointment: Fall Theatrical Assistant Advisor
Salary: $885
2021-2022 College Now Instructor Appointments:
Salary: Per HFA Contract $300 per course
Name: Jones, Brooke
- English I: College Writing
- English II: Intro to Literature
Name: Scalise, Laura
- Intro to Psychology
Name: McCutcheon, Heather
- Into to Computer Graphics & Design
- Intro to Ceramics (Fall & Spring)
Name:Zorn, Leah
- Basic Drawing
- Basic Painting
Name: Meyer, Chanel
- Spanish I
- Spanish II
Name: Watkins, Matthew
- Public Speaking
Name: Wolanski, Hollie
- Pre-Calculus
- Calculus
Name: Beardslee, Sarah
- Statistics
2021-2022 Advanced Placement Instructors:
Salary: Per HFA Contract $300 per course
Name: Lampert, Caroline
- AP US History & Government
Name: Sheldon, Nicholas
- AP European History
APPR Lead Evaluator/Evaluators Recertification Resolution (Teachers): Mr. Lewis moved, and Ms. Gilbert seconded the following Board resolution: “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 5:0. (Material filed in the supplemental file dated 09-15-21)
Board of Education Reports:
President’s Update: President Crandall mentioned that the Owen D. Young CSD representative, Linda Tharp, passed away, leaving her BOCES Board seat vacant. Her replacement will be Holly Pullis, who is currently serving on their school board. President Crandall also commended our administrators and staff for all of the work that was done in order to have a great opening of school this year.
Future Meeting Dates/Agenda Items: The next scheduled BOE meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, possibly at the Herkimer Elementary Cafeteria. Place will be confirmed at a later time. The Audit meeting will take place at 5:30, with the regular BOE meeting to follow. Mrs. Ploss will confirm if the Curriculum Council presentations will take place that night. A discussion followed stating that if possible, the Board would prefer to have the presentations in person as opposed to digital.
Public Comment: Due to a mix-up on the Herkimer CSD website regarding the start time of the meeting, there were a few members of the public that arrived to the meeting at 6:26 p.m. and were given the opportunity to address the Board of Education with some concerns. Ms. Hollie Cassella asked the Board for thoughtful reconsideration regarding athletic eligibility for the fall season due to the difficult year that our students had to endure.
Meeting Evaluation:
Mr. Lewis filled in for Mr. Petucci as this evening’s meeting evaluator, and presented his review of the September 15, 2021 Board of Education meeting.
Ms. Gilbert moved, and Mr. Carney 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 5:0.
Executive Session:
The Board moved into Executive Session at 6:55 p.m. The Board exited Executive Session at 7:01 p.m.
Adjournment: On a motion made by Ms. Gilbert and seconded by Mr. Carney, the BOE adjourned the public meeting at 7:02 p.m. All voted in favor 5:0.