BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Hamilton-Fulton & Montgomery Counties
Johnstown, NY 12095
View the July 1, 2020 Reorganizational Meeting video
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DATE
July 1, 2020
PLACE
Central Administration Office, Board Room and virtually via Webex by calling 1-646-992-2010 access code: 129 629 3922
KIND OF MEETING
Reorganization Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT
James Beirlein, Harry Brooks, Carmen Caraco, John DeValve, Jean LaPorta, Gustavo Sacerio and Allan Turnbull
OTHERS PRESENT
David Ziskin, District Superintendent; Lorraine Hohenforst, Deputy Superintendent; Kathi Lewis, School Business Manager; Craig Clark, Communications Specialist; Ashley Onyon, Reporter with the Leader Herald and Christine Eaton, Clerk
CALL TO ORDER
The reorganization meeting of HFM BOCES was called to order by Board Clerk at 5:00 p.m.
TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON
Allan Turnbull made a motion, seconded by Jean LaPorta to appoint the Board Clerk as the temporary chairperson of the reorganizational meeting. This motion carried unanimously.
OATH OF OFFICE
At this time the Clerk administered the oath of office to reelected Board Members Jean LaPorta and John DeValve.
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF PRESIDENT
The Board Clerk then asked for nominations for the office of President. John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Jean LaPorta, to nominate Harry Brooks to the office of President for the 2020-2021 school year. James Beirlein then made a motion, seconded by Allan Turnbull, to close the polls, temporarily suspend the rules and instruct the Clerk to cast one vote for Harry Brooks to the office of President. This motion was unanimously carried.
PRESIDENT ASSUMES LEADERSHIP
At this time, President Brooks assumed leadership of the meeting.
President Brooksthen requested nominations for the office of Vice President.
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT
James Beirlein made a motion, seconded by John DeValve, to nominate Jean LaPorta to the office of Vice President for the 2020-2021 school year. John DeValve then made a motion, seconded by James Beirlein to close the polls, temporarily suspend the rules and instruct the Clerk to cast one vote for Jean LaPorta to the office of Vice President. This motion carried unanimously.
OATH OF OFFICE
Dr. Brooks was then administered the oath of office of Board President.
OATH OF OFFICE
Mrs. LaPorta was administered the oath of office of Vice President.
REORGANIZATION APPOINTMENTS
Upon the District Superintendent’s recommendation the following appointments for the 2020-2021 school year were presented for Board approval:
Clerk of the Board, Christine Eaton
Treasurer, Jennifer Clear
Claims Auditor ($20 per hour). Heather Mello
Deputy Internal Claims Auditor ($20 per hour), TBD
Extracurricular Accounts Treasurer, Jayette Miller
Asst. Treas. of Extracurricular Accts., Treasurer of the Board
Extra Class Faculty Auditor, Treasurer of the Board
Extra Class Faculty Counselor, Michael Jacob (Special Ed), Michael DiMezza (CTE), Matthew Davis (PTECH), Christine Carioto (ADK)
Extra Class Faculty Advisors (List appended to minutes)
Verifier of Purchase Orders, Tiffannie Brown, Lisa Royal
Purchasing Officer, Stephanie Dineen
Deputy Purchasing Officer, School Business Manager
Official Newspapers, The Leader Herald, The Recorder, The Gazette
Official Radio Stations, WENT, Gloversville, WCSS, Amsterdam
School Physician, Paul G. Comber, MD, PhD, St. Mary’s Healthcare
Attorneys, Girvin and Ferlazzo, P.C.
Auditors, West & Company CPAs, P.C.
Internal Auditors, Questar III BOCES
AHERA/SASS Designee and District Safety Officer, Jessica Kirby-Barnes
Data Protection Officer, Deputy Superintendent
Information Officer, Deputy Superintendent
Records Management Officer, Deputy Superintendent
Records Access Officer, Deputy Superintendent
Official Bank, NBT Bank
General Insurance, NYSIR – Mang Agency
Workers Compensation Insurance, NYSIF – Robert J. Hoy Agency, Inc.
Health Insurance, Empire BlueCross
Dental Insurance, Delta Dental
Compliance Officers, Human Resources Manager, Deputy Superintendent
School Library System Council, (List appended to minutes)
Board Audit Committee, Committee of the Whole
NYSSBA Voting Delegate, TBD
NYSSBA Voting Alternate, TBD
NYSSBA Legislative Liaison, TBD
Tobacco Free School Policy Liaison, Jessica Kirby-Barnes
Dignity Act Coordinators, (List appended to minutes)
Homeless Liaison/Migrant Education, School Business Manager Coordinator
Financial Advisor, Karen Moon, Vice President of Bernard Donegan Inc.
HFM BOCES Bond Counsel, M. Corneilia Cahill, Esq. of Hiscock & Barclay LLP
APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENTS
Jean LaPorta made a motion, seconded by John DeValve, to approve the 2020-2021 reorganization appointments as presented, making note that positions left in the to be determined status will be approved by the Board as they are filled. This motion carried unanimously.
REORGANIZATIONAL RESOLUTIONS
Upon the District Superintendent’s recommendation the following resolutions for the 2020-2021 school year were presented to the Board for approval:
Authorize the Deputy Superintendent to certify all payrolls
Authorize the District Superintendent to sign and file all applications and certifications for federal and state funds
Authorize the Deputy Superintendent to assume the duties of the District Superintendent in the District Superintendent’s absence
Authorize the District Superintendent to employ non-instructional and instructional substitutes, adult education staff, and temporary employees
Authorize District Superintendent and Treasurer to borrow up to $500,000.00 in anticipation of revenues
Authorize School Business Manager, to transfer budgetary appropriations up to $10,000
Authorize the capitalizing threshold at $5,000
Authorize Treasurer, with approval of District Superintendent, to invest funds within legal limitations
Authorize the transfer of up to $2,000,000.00 (two million dollars) from funds with available balances to the General Fund to cover cash flow needs, with repayment to be made within one year, as permitted when borrowing between funds. In discussion with our local auditors, it is recommended that in order to avoid legal costs and interest associated with the issuance of RANs, BOCES use the internal transfer option to cover cash flow needs
Authorize the Treasurer of the BOCES to use an electronic check signature to authenticate checks issued on the BOCES accounts and to process transfers as required. Authorize the School Business Manager to use an electronic check signature to authenticate payroll checks in the absence of the Treasurer. Authorize the School Business Manager to use an electronic check signature to authenticate accounts payable checks in the absence of the Treasurer. Authorize the School Business Manager to process transfers in the absence of the Treasurer
Authorize the following employees with single signature authority: Treasurer and School Business Manager
Authorize the District Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and School Business Manager, or their designee to approve staff mileage, conference attendance, and payment/reimbursement within budgetary appropriations
Authorize director-principals and principals to suspend students for up to five days
Authorize BOCES to participate in cooperative bidding of supplies, services, equipment, and janitorial products with public school districts and municipalities of Fulton, Montgomery, and Hamilton Counties as well as DCMO BOCES
Re-adopt the Audit Committee Charter, effective July 1, 2020
Re-Adopt the Board Policy Manual, all sections and policies therein, effective July 1, 2020
Re-Adopt the Constitutionally Protected Prayer in the Schools Certification
Adopt the last Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. as BOCES board meeting date and time, except as otherwise indicated on the annual board meeting dates calendar
Adopt the HFM BOCES mileage chart effective July 1, 2020, and authorize the School Business Manager to amend the chart as required during the course of the school year
Authorize the Board President and/or District Superintendent to sign contracts on behalf of the Board of Education
Confirm HFM credit card limits as follows:
District Superintendent – $25,000
Deputy Superintendent and School Business Manager – $36,400 (combined)
Establish three separate petty cash funds as follows:
Business Office (Jennifer Clear) $50
Career & Technical Education (Lorrie Hanifan) $50
Special Education (Holly Anker) $50
Authorize two school lunch point of sale drawer change accounts as follows:
HFM BOCES Main Campus – Tracey Buley – $100 Glebe Street – Margaret Ugalde – $50
Establish the following substitute staff pay rates for the school year 2020-2021:
Long-Term Substitute Teachers – Certified $125.00 per diem
Long-Term Substitute Teachers – Uncertified $105.00 per diem
Certified Substitute Teachers $95.00 per diem
Uncertified Substitute Teachers $85.00 per diem
Substitute School Nurses (RN) $95.00 per diem
Substitute School Nurses (LPN) $85.00 per diem
Substitute Clinical Nurses (RN) $160.00 per diem
Substitute Clinical Nurses (LPN) $150.00 per diem
Long-Term Substitute Teacher Aides $85.00 per day
Substitute Teacher Aides $11.80 per hourSubstitute Teacher Aides required to travel from the student’s home $11.80 per hour
Substitute Interpreters $13.57 per hour
Substitute Typist $12.98 per hour
Substitute Couriers $12.63 per hour
Substitute Custodial Worker $11.92 per hour
Substitute Food Service Director I $151.67 per day
Substitute Food Service Helper $11.92 per hour
Substitute School Monitor $11.80 per hour
Substitute School Bus Attendants $12.03 per hour
Substitute School Bus Driver $17.00 per hour
Retired Substitute School Bus Driver $20.00 per hour
Substitute Automotive Mechanic Helper $18.00 per hour
Long-term Regional Summer School/Enrichment Certified Substitute Teachers $16.15 per hour
Regional Summer School/Enrichment Certified Substitute Teachers $14.62 per hour
Regional Summer/Enrichment School Uncertified Substitute Teachers $13.08 per hour
Regional Summer School/Enrichment Substitute Nurse (RN) $14.62 per hour
Regional Summer School/Enrichment Substitute Typist $12.98 per hour
Regional Summer School/Enrichment Substitute School Monitors $11.80 per hour
Authorize board member and administrative attendance at approved conferences and meetings including the authority to expend funds associated with these activities
Authorize membership in Mohawk-Sacandaga School Boards Association, Capital Area School Development Association, New York State School Boards Association, Rural Schools Association, Fulton-Montgomery County Regional Chamber of Commerce, American Association of Educational Service Agencies, Statewide BOCES P/R – Erie I, BOCES the Energy Pricing Consortium, BOCES Education Consortium and the Fulton County CGR
Authorize the District Superintendent and School Business Manager to approve business related travel reimbursement at the latest available published IRS rate
Authorize bonding of all HFM BOCES employees up to $100,000 plus an additional $900,000 coverage per loss
Establish April 14, 2021, as the date for the next BOCES Annual Meeting
Establish April 28, 2021, as the date on which each component school board shall conduct a public meeting for the purpose of voting on the BOCES administrative budget and candidates to fill vacancies on the BOCES Board of Education, pursuant to Section 1950 of Education Law
Establish the following Adult Services Tuitions for school year 2020-2021:
Career/Technical Program (½ day) $2,945.00
Career/Technical Program (full day) 5,000.00
Establish the following ancillary pay rates for school year 2020-2021:
Retiree Scorers $100/per diem
Regional Scoring Assistants 15/hour
Lifeguard 11.80/hour
Adult Educators 25/hour
Bus Driver Trainers 25/hour
Curriculum Writing 25/hour
Summer Professional Development Participants 25/hour
Regional Summer School Teacher 30/hour
Regional Summer School Teaching Assistant 15/hour
TASC/HSE Coordinator 25.00/hour
TASC/HSE Examiner 20.00/hour
TASC/HSE Proctor 13.52/hour
Regional Enrichment Summer Program Teacher 30/hour
Regional Enrichment Summer Program Teacher Assistant 15/hour
Reaffirm that the Hamilton-Fulton & Montgomery BOCES is a non-discriminatory employer
Reaffirm that alternative communications will be used to assist the handicapped
Reaffirm that BOCES meetings will be held in locations most accessible to the handicapped
Reaffirm BOCES commitment to comply with The Freedom of Information Act and The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Reaffirm BOCES commitment to comply with the Open Meeting Law
Reaffirm BOCES commitment to comply with Title IX
Reaffirm BOCES commitment to comply with the American Disabilities Act (ADA)
Reaffirm BOCES commitment to comply with the Annual School Integrated Pest Management notification requirements
Reaffirm charge for transcripts for adult students $5.00 per transcript
Reaffirm a photocopy fee of $0.25 per face sheet
Reaffirm that secretarial fees associated with the retrieval of information shall be at the actual pay rates for the person(s) performing the retrieval tasks
APPROVAL OF REORGANIZATION RESOLUTIONS
A motion was made by Jean LaPorta and seconded by John DeValve, to approve the reorganization resolutions for the 2020-2021 school year as presented. This motion was unanimously carried.
ADJOURNMENT
At 5:11 p.m. a motion was made by Allan Turnbull to adjourn the reorganization meeting and prepare to enter a special board meeting. This motion was seconded by John DeValve and unanimously carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Eaton
Clerk of the Board
