BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Hamilton-Fulton & Montgomery Counties
Johnstown, NY 12095
DATE
July 7, 2021
PLACE
Central Administration Office, Board Room
KIND OF MEETING
Reorganization Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT
Harry Brooks, Carmen Caraco, Rebecca Cozzocrea, John DeValve, Jean LaPorta, Matt Sullivan, Kathryn Zajicek
OTHERS PRESENT
David Ziskin, District Superintendent; Lorraine Hohenforst, Deputy Superintendent; Kathi Lewis, School Business Manager; Aaron Flynn, Human Resources Manager; Craig Clark, Communications Specialist and Christine Eaton, Clerk
CALL TO ORDER
The reorganization meeting of HFM BOCES was called to order by Board Clerk at 5:01 p.m.
TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Harry Brooks 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 Board Members Carmen Caraco, Rebecca Cozzocrea, Matt Sullivan and Kathryn Zajicek.
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF PRESIDENT
The Board Clerk then asked for nominations for the office of President. John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Carmen Caraco, to nominate Harry Brooks to the office of President for the 2021-2022 school year. John DeValve then made a motion, seconded by Carmen Caraco, 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.
OATH OF OFFICE
Dr. Brooks was then administered the oath of office of Board President.
PRESIDENT ASSUMES LEADERSHIP
At this time, President Brooks assumed leadership of the meeting.
President Brooks then requested nominations for the office of Vice President.
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT
John DeValve made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek, to nominate Jean LaPorta to the office of Vice President for the 2021-2022 school year. John DeValve then made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zjicek 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
Mrs. LaPorta was administered the oath of office of Vice President.
REORGANIZATION APPOINTMENTS
Upon the District Superintendent’s recommendation the following appointments for the 2021-2022 school year were presented for Board approval:
TITLE: Clerk of the Board
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Christine Eaton
TITLE: Treasurer
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Jennifer Clear
TITLE: Claims Auditor ($20 per hour)
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Heather Bozek
TITLE: Deputy Internal Claims Auditor ($20 per hour)
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: TBA
TITLE: Extracurricular Accounts Treasurer
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Jayette Miller
TITLE: Asst. Treas. of Extracurricular Accts.
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Jennifer Clear
TITLE: Extra Class Faculty Auditor
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Michelle Abrams
TITLE: Extra Class Faculty Counselor
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Michael Jacob (Special Ed), Michael DiMezza (CTE), Matthew Davis (PTECH), Christine Carioto (ADK)
TITLE: Extra Class Faculty Advisors
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: (List appended to minutes)
TITLE: Verifier of Purchase Orders
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Tiffannie Brown, Lisa Royal
TITLE: Purchasing Officer
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Stephanie Dineen
TITLE: Deputy Purchasing Officer
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Kathi Lewis
TITLE: Official Newspapers
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: The Leader Herald, The Recorder, The Gazette
TITLE: Official Radio Stations
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: WENT, Gloversville, WCSS, Amsterdam
TITLE: School Physician
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: TBD
TITLE: Attorneys
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Girvin and Ferlazzo,P.C.
TITLE: Auditors
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: West & Company CPAs, P.C.
TITLE: Internal Auditors
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Questar III BOCES
TITLE: AHERA/SASS Designee and District Safety Officer
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Jessica Kirby-Barnes
TITLE: Data Protection Officer
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Deputy Superintendent through 8/31/21 and Assistant Superintendent for BOCES Operations and Component District Services effective 9/1/21.
TITLE: Information Officer
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Deputy Superintendent through 8/31/21 and Assistant Superintendent for BOCES Operations and Component District Services effective 9/1/21.
TITLE: Records Management Officer
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Deputy Superintendent through 8/31/21 and Assistant Superintendent for BOCES Operations and Component District Services effective 9/1/21.
TITLE: Records Access Officer
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Deputy Superintendent through 8/31/21 and Assistant Superintendent for BOCES Operations and Component District Services effective 9/1/21.
TITLE: Official Bank
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: NBT Bank
TITLE: General Insurance
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: NYSIR – Mang Agency
TITLE: Workers Compensation Insurance
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: NYSIF – Robert J. Hoy Agency, Inc.
TITLE: Health Insurance
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Empire BlueCross
TITLE: Dental Insurance
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Delta Dental
TITLE: Compliance Officers
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Human Resources Manager, Deputy Superintendent through 8/31/21 and Assistant Superintendent for BOCES Operations and Component District Services effective 9/1/21.
TITLE: School Library System Council
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: (List appended to minutes)
TITLE: Board Audit Committee
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Committee of the Whole
TITLE: NYSSBA Voting Delegate
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: TBD
TITLE: NYSSBA Voting Alternate
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: TBD
TITLE: NYSSBA Legislative Liaison
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: TBD
TITLE: Tobacco Free School Policy Liaison
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Jessica Kirby-Barnes
TITLE: Dignity Act Coordinators
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: (List appended to minutes)
TITLE: Homeless Liaison/Migrant Education Coordinator
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Jay DeTraglia
TITLE: Financial Advisor
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: Karen Moon, Vice President of Bernard Donegan Inc.
TITLE: HFM BOCES Bond Counsel
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: M. Corneilia Cahill, Esq. of Hiscock & Barclay LLP
TITLE: Chief Emergency Officer
PERSON/ORGANIZATION: District Superintendent
APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENTS
Jean LaPorta made a motion, seconded by Matt Sullivan, to approve the 2021-2022 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 2021-2022 school year were presented to the Board for approval:
Authorize the Deputy Superintendent through 8/31/21 and Assistant Superintendent for BOCES Operations and Component District Services effective 9/1/21 to certify all payrolls
Authorize the District Superintendent to sign and file all applications and certifications for federal and state funds
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, Jennifer Clear to use an electronic check signature to authenticate checks issued on the BOCES accounts and to process transfers as required. Authorize Kathi Lewis and Michelle Abrams to use an electronic check signature to authenticate payroll checks in the absence of the Treasurer. Authorize the Kathi Lewis and Michelle Abrams to use an electronic check signature to authenticate accounts payable checks in the absence of the Treasurer. Authorize Kathi Lewis and Michelle Abrams to process transfers in the absence of the Treasurer
Authorize the following employees with single signature authority: Jennifer Clear and Kathi Lewis
Authorize Kathi Lewis and Stephanie Dineen to use electronic purchasing account
Authorize the District 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, 2021
Re-Adopt the Board Policy Manual, all sections and policies therein, effective July 1, 2021
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, 2021, 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 2021-2022:
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) $125.00 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 $12.50 per hour
Substitute Teacher Aides required to travel from the student’s home $12.50 per hour
Substitute Interpreters $13.75 per hour
Substitute Typist $13.25per hour
Substitute Couriers $13.00 per hour
Substitute Custodial Worker $12.63 per hour
Substitute Food Service Director I $151.67 per day
Substitute Food Service Helper $12.63 per hour
Substitute School Monitor $12.50 per hour
Substitute School Bus Attendants $12.63 per hour
Substitute School Bus Driver $17.85 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 $13.25 per hour
Regional Summer School/Enrichment Substitute School Monitors $12.50 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 13, 2022, as the date for the next BOCES Annual Meeting
Establish April 27, 2022, 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 2021-2022:
Career/Technical Program (½ day) $2,945.00
Career/Technical Program (full day) 5,535.00
Establish the following ancillary pay rates for school year 2021-2022:
Retiree Scorers $100/per diem
Regional Scoring Assistants 15/hour
Lifeguard 12.50/hour
Adult Educators 30/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
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 Carmen Caraco and seconded by John DeValve, to approve the reorganization resolutions for the 2021-2022 school year as presented. This motion was unanimously carried.
ADJOURNMENT
At 5:10 p.m. a motion was made by John DeValve to adjourn the reorganization meeting and prepare to enter a special board meeting. This motion was seconded by Carmen Caraco and unanimously carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Eaton
Clerk of the Board
Extraclassroom Activity Fund 2021- 2022
- 100 Auto Body John Ackermann
- 102 Auto A Thomas Davis
- 106 Conservation Adam Cancio
- 109 Cosmetology A Julie Mead
- 110 Cosmetology B Valerie Charpentier
- 115 Digital Multimedia Andrew Huth
- 133 Foundations of Food Rebecca Skretkowicz
- 140 PTECH Student Government TBD
- PTECH Academic Club TBD
- PTECH Art Club TBD
- PTECH Blacksmith Club TBD
- PTECH Drama and Glee Club, TBD
PTECH Future Business Leaders of America, TBD - PTECH Rock and Jazz Club, TBD
- PTECH Student Judicial Council, TBD
- PTECH Underwater Robotics Club TBD
- PTECH Yearbook Club, TBD
- FFA TBD
- Veterinary & Animal Science Meredith Tuppen
- Construction Technology Program Steven Derwin
HFM BOCES SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEM COUNCIL
Laura Campagna Amsterdam 07/01/20 – 6/30/23
Amber Smith Fonda-Fultonville 7/1/19 – 6/30/22
Karen Johnson OESJ 07/1/21-06/30/24
Carla Bengle-Mackey Gloversville 7/1/20-6/30/23
Crystal Keck Johnstown 07/1/21 – 6/30/24
Terri Brown Northville 071/20 – 6/30/23
TBD St. Mary’s Institute 7/1/18 – 6/30/22
Christine Suhr (Chair) Wells 7/1/19- 6/30/22
Susan D’Entremont CDLC 07/1/21 – 6/30/24
Dan Towne FMCC 7/1/20 – 6/30/23
Eric Trahan Public Libraries Representative Mohawk Valley Library System 7/1/20- 6/30/23
DIGNITY ACT COORDINATORS
Charis Dimitriou CTE
Michael DiMezza CTE
Riley O’Malley CTE
Matthew Popp Special Education
Daniel Salvagni Special Education
Tammy Dingman Special Education
Stacy Marzullo Special Education
Christine Carioto Adirondack Academy
Brian Garrity Adirondack Academy
Julie Blanchard Adirondack Academy
Matthew Davis PTECH
Celeste Keane PTECH
