BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery Counties
Johnstown, NY 12095
Click here to download printer-friendly Sept. 29, 2021 meeting minutes
DATE
September 29, 2021
PLACE
HFM BOCES Board Room
KIND OF MEETING
Regular Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT
Harry Brooks, Carmen Caraco, Rebecca Cozzocrea, John DeValve, Jean LaPorta, Matt Sullivan and Kathryn Zajicek
OTHERS PRESENT
David Ziskin, District Superintendent; Aaron Bochniak, Assistant Superintendent; Jay DeTraglia, Assistant Superintendent; Kathi Lewis, School Business Official; Aaron Flynn, Human Resources Manager; Michael DiMezza, CTE Principal; Riley O’Malley, Coordinator of CTE; Jennifer Clear, Treasurer; Carden Smith, Computer Services Coordinator; Michael Rossi, West and Company CPAs and Christine Eaton, Clerk
CALL TO ORDER
President Brooks called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried to approve the agenda as presented and add any items introduced by unanimous vote.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
At 5:05 p.m. the Board convened the Audit Committee upon a motion made by John DeValve, seconded by Jean LaPorta and unanimously carried.
INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT PRESENTATION
Michael Rossi, Independent Auditor from West and Co., CPAs PC reviewed the 2020-21 Independent Audit with the Audit Committee.
ADJOURN AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Board adjourned the Audit Committee at 5:29 p.m upon a motion made by Matt Sullivan, seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea and unanimously carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Kathryn Zajicek made a motion, seconded by John DeValve to approve the minutes of the August 25, 2021 Regular Board meeting. This motion was unanimously carried.
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES REPORT
The Assistant Superintendent for Educational Service’s Partnership- Advocacy-Leadership Report included:
► CTE Program Re-Approval Presentation
► Opening of Schools
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR BOCES OPERATIONS AND COMPONENT DISTRICT SERVICES
The Assistant Superintendent for BOCES Operations and Component District Service’s Partnership-Advocacy-Leadership report included:
► Transportation
► ELC Schools Grant
► Transition
DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
The District Superintendent’s Partnership-Advocacy-Leadership report included:
► State Updates
► Vision-Mission-Core Beliefs
PERSONNEL ITEMS
Upon the District Superintendent’s recommendation, the following personnel items were presented to the Board for acceptance or approval. All new appointments are contingent upon receipt of Employment Eligibility Verification form.
Retired Substitute Bus Driver and Retired School Bus Attendant Rate of Pay
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried to increase the rates of pay for the following substitute positions effective September 20, 2021:
Retired Substitute Bus Drivers: $24.50* per hour
Retired Substitute School Bus Attendants: $16.00* per hour
*If a Bus Driver or School Bus Attendant retired from HFM BOCES at an hourly wage that is higher then the current retired substitute rate, that employee will receive the greater of the two rates. (SY 21-22 #102)
Establish Substitute Health Safety Risk Management Specialist Position and Rate
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried to establish the following substitute position and rate effective September 27, 2021:
Substitute Health Safety Risk Management Specialist – $36.00 per hour.
(SY 21-22 #103)
Rescind Appointment
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried to rescind the following appointment:
Michela Francisco – Teacher Aide with Special Education effective September 1, 2021.
(SY 21-22 #104)
Resignations
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried to accept the following resignations:
1. Chad Agerter, Position: School Bus Attendant to accept a Bus Driver position with HFM BOCES, Division: Regional Transportation (04/29/2021), Effective Date: 08/31/2021
2. Sarah Austin, Position: School Counselor, Division: Special Education, 09/01/2021, Effective Date: 10/11/2021
3. Heather Bozek, Position: Claims Auditor, Division: Business Office (10/31/2019), Effective Date: 09/13/2021
4. Kimberly Hale, Position: Special Education Teacher, Division: Special Education (09/01/2011), Effective Date: 10/09/2021
5. Tracie Rousseau, Position: Typist, Division: Regional Transportation (01/28/2021), Effective Date: 09/15/2021
6. Jamie Sedal-Ammann, Position: Art Teacher, Division: Special Education (09/01/2013), Effective Date: 09/24/2021
7. Bobbi White, Position: Teacher Aide, Division: Special Education (09/01/2020), Effective Date: 09/13/2021
(SY 21-22 #105, #106, #107, #108, #109, #110, #111)
Unpaid Leave Of Absence
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried to approve the following unpaid leaves of absence:
1. Amanda Eggleston, Position: Teacher Aide, Division: Special Education (09/01/2020), Effective Date: 09/01/2021-06/01/2022
2. Michael Hilton, Position: Health and Safety Officer, Division: HSRM (04/29/2021), Effective Date: 09/16/2021-09/25/2021
4. Debra McArthur, Position: Bus Driver, Division: Regional Transportation (08/27/2013), Effective Date: 09/01/2021-09/30/2021
(SY 21-22 #112, #113, #114)
Establish Positions
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried to establish the following positions:
1. POSITION: Part-time, Temporary Food Service Helper, PROGRAM/LOCATION: School Lunch Program, EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/20/2021
2. POSITION: 0.55 FTE Speech Therapist, PROGRAM/LOCATION: Itinerant Services, EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/01/2021
Appointments Certified Teachers
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried to appoint the following certified teachers:
Certified-Teachers
(Tenure will be contingent upon achievement of effective or highly effective APPR ratings necessary to receive tenure throughout his or her probationary period, consistent with the requirements of Education Law Sections 3012, 3012-c, 3012-d)
a. Name: Kristin Bellinger, Appointment Type: Probationary Title: Teacher on Special Assignment, Tenure Area: Instructional Support Services in Special Education, Salary: $56,602.00– Pro-rated to $50.658.00 – pending contract negotiations, Effective Date: 10/04/2021-10/03/2025, Department: Special Education, FTE: 1.0, Certification: Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6 – Professional and Students with Disabilities 5-9 Generalist – Professional
b. Name: Richard Noel, Appointment Type: Probationary, Title: English Teacher, Tenure Area: English, Salary: $41,097.00 pro-rated to $37,192.79 – pending contract negotiations, Effective Date: 09/30/2021-09/29/2025, Department: ADK, FTE: 1.0, Certification: English Language Arts 7-12 – Initial
(SY 21-22 #115, #116)
Appointments Certified Teachers Part-Time and/or Temporary
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried to appoint the following part-time and/or certified teachers:
a. Name: Eleanor Brown, Appointment Type: Part-time/Temporary, Title: Speech Therapist, Tenure Area: N/A, Salary: $87,516.55 pro-rated to $48,134.10 – pending contract negotiations, Effective Date: 09/01/2021 – 06/30/2022, Department: Itinerant Services, FTE: 0.55, Certification: Speech and Hearing Handicapped – Permanent
b. Name: Valerie Dutcher, Appointment Type: Part-time/Temporary, Title: ENL Teacher, Tenure Area: N/A, Salary:
$83,453.00 pro-rated to $33,047.38 pending contract negotiations, Effective Date: 09/07/2021-06/30/2022, Department: Itinerant Services, FTE: 0.4, Certification N-6 Permanent and Reading Teacher – Permanent
(SY 21-22 #117, #118)
Appointments – Civil Service
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried to approve the following Civil Service appointments:
a. Name: Chad Agerter, Appointment Type: Probationary CS Title: Bus Driver, Probationary Term: 09/01/2021 – 08/31/2022, Salary: $21.01 per hour, FTE: 1.0, Department: Regional Transportation
b. Name: Deborah Bramer, Appointment Type: Part-time/Temporary CS Title: Food Service Helper, Effective: 09/20/2021 – 06/30/2022
Salary: $14.21 per hour up to 17 hours per week, FTE: N/A, Department: School Lunch Program
c. Name: Juan Guzman-Martinez, Appointment Type: Probationary CS Title: Bus Driver, Probationary Term: 09/01/2021 – 08/31/2022, Salary: $21.01 per hour, FTE: 1.0, Department: Regional Transportation
d. Name: Denise Smith, Appointment Type: Probationary, CS Title: Human Resources Specialist, Effective: 10/04/2021 – 10/03/2022, Salary: $42,000.00 pro-rated to $31,325.00, FTE: 1.0, Department: Human Resources
(SY 21-22 #119, #120, #121, #122)
All Other Appointments
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried to approve the following all other appointments:
a. Recommend the Board approve the appointments of the substitutes listed below, with effective dates as noted. Employees are not eligible for benefits (health, dental, vision, long-term disability and life insurance).
Teacher – effective 9/30/2021
Georgia O’Neill
Hannah Bramer
M. Gary Avery
Teacher Aide – effective 09/29/2021
Hannah Bramer
M. Gary Avery
School Monitor– effective 09/30/2021
Hannah Bramer
M. Gary Avery
Substitute Food Service Helper – effective 9/01/2021
Gary Luck
Teacher Aide – effective 09/01/2021
Amanda Eggleston
Substitute Registered Professional Nurse (School) effective 09/01/2021
Darlene Vogt
School Bus Attendants– effective 09/01/21
Patricia Roten
Antoinette Walters
Mark Bramer
Substitute Health Safety Risk Management Specialist – effective 9/27/2021
Richard DePasquale
(SY 21-22 #123, #124, #125)
b. Recommend the Board approve the appointments and re-appointments of staff listed below for the 2021-22 school year, with effective dates as noted. Employees are not eligible for benefits (health, dental, vision, long term disability and life insurance).
1. Cheryl Bielli, Division: Special Education, Rate: $125.00 Per Diem, Term of Employment: 09/27/2021-06/30/2022, Not to Exceed: N/A, Position Category: Long-term Substitute
2. Heather Bozek, Division: Business Office, Rate: $20.00 Per Hour, Term of Employment: 09/14/2021-06/30/2022, Not to Exceed: N/A, Position Category: Deputy Claims Auditor
3. Denise Brower, Division: Operations, Rate: $31.00 Per Hour, Term of Employment: 10/01/2021-06/30/2022, Not to Exceed: N/A, Position Category: Casual Employee
4. Donna Decker, Division: ELC Schools Grant, Rate: $514.70 Per Diem, Term of Employment: 09/13/2021-07/31/2022, Not to Exceed: 136 Days, Position Category: COVID and ELC Grant Coordinator
5. Misty Dygert, Division: Business Office, Rate: $20.00 Per Hour, Term of Employment: 09/14/2021-06/30/2022, Not to Exceed: N/A, Position Category: Claims Auditor
(SY 21-22 #126, #127, #128, #129, 130)
c. Appoint the following employees listed below as mentors for the 2020-2021 school year effective July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. They will be paid no more than $1,000.00 for the school year depending on mentoring hours.
Heather Haas, Kristin Michaels, Anna Goderie, Heather Bozek, Lisa Gargiulo, Barbara Hatcher, Michelle Brown, Michael Schell, Hillary Cool, Hillary Cool, Rebecca Skretkowicz, Rebecca Skretkowicz
(SY 21-22 #131)
d. Appoint the following PTECH staff members to work up to one additional hour each day from September 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 for before school and/or after school student supervision when school is in session at their hourly rate.
Renee Stewart, Adrianne Morse
(SY 21-22 #132)
e. Approve the following PTECH staff member to work up to 100 hours for curriculum writing at a rate of $25.00 per hour from 07/01/2021-06/30/2022:
Vanessa Stark, Karen Napolitano, Kasey Mang, Lisa Garguilo
(SY 21-22 #132)
f. Appoint the following PTECH staff members to work up to one additional hour each day from September 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 for before school and/or after school student supervision when school is in session at the rate of $25.00 per hour:
Kayleigh Denney
(SY 21-22 #132)
g. 2021-22 Advisors
PTECH, Academics Club, Anna Goderie, Katherine Fazel,
PTECH, Drama Club, Cristin Murphy, Jacob Brode
PTECH, Student Government Association, Kayleigh Denney, Taylor VanSlyke,
PTECH, Future Business Leaders of America, Sandra Barkevich,
PTECH, FFA, Kasey Mang,
PTECH, Art Club, Melissa McGill,
PTECH, Gaming Club, Rodney Schuyler,
PTECH, Robotics, Sandra Barkevich,
Special Education, Autism Advisor, Annamarie Neri
(SY 21-22 #132, #133)
Amended Appointment
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried to amend the following appointment:
Ross, Shirley.
Adult Educator with Adult Literacy and Corrections Education, amending the August 11, 2021 appointment effective date from September 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021 through June 30,2022 with a temporary/full-time status. Salary remains the same. (SY 21-22 #134)
Snell, Tracie
Adult Educator with Adult Literacy and Corrections Education, amending the August 25, 2021 Board appointment effective date from September 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 with a temporary/full-time status. Salary remains the same. (SY 21-22 135)
Information Only
The following lateral Senior Account Clerk transfers took place during the month of September:
Tiffannie Brown – Transferred from the Business Office to Operations and Maintenance effective September 7, 2021.
Barbara Koehler – Transferred from the Adult Literacy and Corrections Education office to the Business Office effective September 8, 2021. (SY 21-22 #136)
Routine Business Items
CLAIMS AUDITOR REPORT
Matt Sullivan made a motion, seconded by Jean LaPorta, and unanimously carried to approve the Claims Auditor Report for the period of August 4, 2021 through August 25, 2021. (SY 21-22 #137)
TREASURER’S REPORT
Matt Sullivan made a motion, seconded by Jean LaPorta and unanimously carried to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the period of June 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021. (SY 21-22 #138)
EXTRACLASS REPORTS
Matt Sullivan made a motion to approve the July and August 2021 Extraclass Reports as submitted. This motion was seconded by Jean LaPorta and unanimously carried. (SY 21-22 #139)
BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS
Matt Sullivan made a motion, seconded by Jean LaPorta and unanimously carried to approve the budgetary adjustments through June 30, 2021 as submitted by the Chief Financial Officer. (SY 21-22 #140)
BUDGET TRANSFERS
Matt Sullivan made a motion, seconded by Jean LaPorta and unanimously carried to approve the budgetary transfers from April 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021 as submitted by the Chief Financial Officer. (SY 21-22 #141)
2021-22 SCHOOL LUNCH PRICING
Matt Sullivan made a motion, seconded by Jean LaPorta and unanimously carried to establish the 2021 school year breakfast and lunch prices as follows; adult milk at $0.80, adult breakfast at $2.78, adult lunch at $5.16 and student milk (a la carte) at $0.60. HFM BOCES is participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program which allows us the ability to feed the students for free. (SY 21-22 #142)
REVISED 2021-22 ANNUAL LEASES
Matt Sullivan made a motion, seconded by Jean Laporta and unanimously carried to approve the 2021-22 Distance Learning and annual classroom leases as submitted in the aggregated amount of $520,205. (SY 21-22 #143)
Business Items
GRANT
Jean LaPorta made a motion, seconded by John DeValve and unanimously carried to accept the following grant funds and authorize their suitable appropriation and expenditure, pursuant to State Education Department and/or local approvals:
School Library System – Aid for Automation $9,183
(SY 21-22 #144)
EMPIRE BLUECROSS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE RENEWAL
John DeValve made a motion to authorize the District Superintendent to renew the Empire MediBlue Freedom PPO plan with Empire BlueCross to provide Health Insurance to the HFM BOCES Medicare eligible retirees at a decrease of 2 percent effective January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. This motion was seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea and unanimously carried. (SY 21-22 #145)
OFFICE SPACE PERMIT AGREEMENT
Kathryn Zajicek made a motion, seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea and unanimously carried to authorize the District Superintendent to execute the Office Space Agreement by and between HFM BOCES and Fulton, Montgomery and Schoharie Counties Development Board, Inc., for use and occupancy of space located at 2620 Riverfront Center, Amsterdam, NY 12010. (SY 21-22 #146)
RESERVE FUND THROUGH JUNE 2021
Jean LaPorta made a motion to accept the Reserve Fund Report for the year ending June 30, 2021 as submitted by the Chief Financial Officer. This motion was seconded by John DeValve and unanimously carried. (SY 21-22 #147)
COMMERCIAL SERVICE AGREEMENT – ORKIN
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea and unanimously carried to authorize the District Superintendent to execute the Orkin Pest Control Commercial Services Agreement to provide pest control measures. (SY 21-22 #148)
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR SERVICES AGREEMENT – ICAN
Carmen Caraco made a motion to authorize the District Superintendent to execute the Independent Contractor Services Agreement by and between HFM BOCES and ICAN to provide 13 days of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training. This motion was seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried. (SY 21-22 #149)
RFB EXTENSION AND REVISED RFB RECOMMENDATIONS
Pursuant to the competitive bidding process, John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Carmen Caraco and unanimously carried to accept the RFB extension and revised RFB recommendations as noted by memoranda from the Purchasing Official in the following areas:
RFB 21-01 Protective Equipment and Supplies – PPE – See attached summary (SY 21-22 #150)
RFB 21-08RE Groceries – Driscoll Foods is no longer able to adhere to the pricing on four items they submitted on RFB 21-08RE Groceries, recommend the Board accept the new prices of the four items effective September 20, 2021. (SY 21-22 #151)
RFB 21-09RE Meat and Dairy – Driscoll Foods is no longer able to adhere to the pricing on two items they submitted on RFN 21-09RE, recommend the Board accept the new pricing of the two items effective September 20, 2021. (SY 21-22 #151)
2020-2021 INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT
Having been received and discussed by the Audit Committee, Matt Sullivan made a motion, seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea and unanimously carried to accept the 2020-2021 Independent Audit Report as prepared by West and Company. (SY 21-22 #152)
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR SERVICES AGREEMENT – HARRINGTON
Jean LaPorta made a motion to authorize the District Superintendent to execute the Independent Contractor Services Agreement by and between HFM BOCES and George Harrington to provide support as a part-time Facilities Consultant effective September 30, 2021 through June 30, 2022. This motion was seconded by Carmen Caraco and unanimously carried. (SY 21-22 #153)
2020-2021 ANNUAL INVESTMENT REPORT (Information only)
A copy of the 2020-2021 Annual Investment Report was given to the Board for information only.
CTE PROGRAM RE-APPROVAL – Veterinary and Animal Science
Kathryn Zajicek made a motion to approve the CTE program re-approval for Veterinary and Animal Science to be submitted to New York State Education Department. This motion was seconded by Carmen Caraco and unanimously carried. (SY 21-22 #155)
BOARD MEMBER REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Jean LaPorta talked to the Board about having Board Retreat on October 14, 2021 from 3pm to 6pm. Dr. Brooks read a thank you card sent to the Board of Education from Dr. Lorraine Hohenforst.
FUTURE MEETINGS
October 14, 2021 – Board Retreat 3:00 p.m., HFM BOCES Conference Center
October 27, 2021 – HFM BOCES Regular Board Meeting, 5:00 p.m., HFM BOCES Board Room
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business to come before the Board, John DeValve made a motion at 6:50 p.m. to adjourn the meeting. This motion was seconded by Kathryn Zajicek and unanimously carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Eaton
Clerk of the Board
