BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Hamilton-Fulton & Montgomery Counties
Johnstown, NY 12095
Click here for a printer-friendly version of the July 5, 2023 minutes.
DATE
July 5, 2023
PLACE
HFM BOCES Board Room
KIND OF MEETING
Reorganization Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT
Harry Brooks, Paula Brown-Weinstock, Rebecca Cozzocrea, Matt Sullivan and Kathryn Zajicek
MEMBER ABSENT
Carmen Caraco and Carolyn Wilcox
OTHERS PRESENT
David Ziskin, District Superintendent; Aaron Bochniak, Assistant Superintendent; Kathi Lewis, School Business Manager; William Bordak, Director of Human Resources 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
Matt Sullivan made a motion, seconded by Kathryn Zajicek to appoint the District Superintendent 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 Member Paula Brown-Weinstock.
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF PRESIDENT
The District Superintendent then asked for nominations for the office of President. Matt Sullivan made a motion, seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea, to nominate Harry Brooks to the office of President for the 2023-2024 school year. Matt Sullivan then made a motion, seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea, 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.
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT
Kathryn Zajicek made a motion, seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea, to nominate Matt Sullivan to the office of Vice President for the 2023-2024 school year. Kathryn Zajicek then made a motion, seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea to close the polls, temporarily suspend the rules and instruct the Clerk to cast one vote for Matt Sullivan to the office of Vice President. This motion carried unanimously.
OATH OF OFFICE REORGANIZATION APPOINTMENTS
Mr. Sullivan was administered the oath of office of Vice President. Upon the District Superintendent’s recommendation the following appointments for the 2023-2024 school year were presented for Board approval:
TITLE/PERSON/ORGANIZATION
Clerk of the Board
Christine Eaton
Treasurer
Jennifer Clear
Deputy Treasurer
Michelle Abrams
Claims Auditor ($30 per hour)
Misty Dygert
Deputy Internal Claims Auditor ($30 per hour)
Lorrie Hanifan
Extracurricular Accounts Treasurer
Carene Christensen
Asst. Treas. of Extracurricular Accts.
Jennifer Clear
Extra Class Faculty Auditor
Michelle Abrams
Extra Class Faculty Counselor
Michael Jacob (Special Ed)
Michael DiMezza (CTE)
Celeste Keane (PTECH)
Christine Carioto (ADK)
Extra Class Faculty Advisors (List appended to minutes)
Verifier of Purchase Orders
Lisa Royal
Purchasing Officer
Stephanie Dineen
Deputy Purchasing Officer
School Business Manager
Official Newspaper
The Leader Herald
Official Radio Stations
WENT, Gloversville
WCSS, Amsterdam
School Physician
St. Mary’s Health Care
Attorneys
Girvin and Ferlazzo, P.C.
Labor Relations
Robert Zordan Kevin Harren
Independent Auditors
West & Company CPAs, P.C.
Internal Auditors
Questar III BOCES
AHERA/SASS Designee and District Safety Officer
Health and Safety Supervisor
Data Protection Officer
Assistant Superintendent for Operations and District Services
Information Officer
Assistant Superintendent for Operations and District Services
Records Management Officer
Assistant Superintendent for Operations and District Services
Records Access Officer
Assistant Superintendent for Operations and District Services
Medicaid Compliance Officer
Michael DiMezza
Official Bank
NBT Bank
General Insurance
NYSIR – Mang Agency
Workers Compensation Insurance
PERMA – Robert J. Hoy Agency, Inc.
Health Insurance
MVP Health Care Inc. and Empire BlueCross
Dental Insurance
Delta Dental
Title IX Coordinator
Director of Human Resources and Assistant Director for Human Resources
ADA Compliance Officer
Assistant Superintendent for Operations and District Services
School Library System Council
(List appended to minutes)
Board Audit Committee
Committee of the Whole
NYSSBA Convention Voting Delegate
TBD
NYSSBA Voting Alternate
TBD
NYSSBA Legislative Liaison
TBD
Tobacco Free School Policy Liaison
Health and Safety Supervisor
Dignity Act Coordinators
(List appended to minutes)
Homeless Liaison/Migrant Education
Assistant Superintendent
Coordinator For Educational Services
Financial Advisor
Karen Moon, Vice President of Bernard Donegan Inc.
HFM BOCES Bond Counsel
Bernard P. Donegan, Inc.
Chief Emergency Officer
District Superintendent
Professional Learning Plan Team
(List appended to minutes)
APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENTS
Kathryn Zajicek made a motion, seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea, to approve the 2023-2024 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 2023-2024 school year were presented to the Board for approval:
Authorize the Assistant Superintendent for Operations and District Services 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 staff, substitutes, adult education staff, and temporary employees consistent with existing policies, for up to 45 days prior to official Board appointment
Authorize District Superintendent and Treasurer to borrow up to $500,000.00 in anticipation of revenues
Authorize the District Superintendent to execute section 211 applications
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 School Business Official to certify prevailing wage
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, Kathi Lewis and Michelle Abrams
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, Capital Region BOCES and Erie I BOCES
Re-adopt the Audit Committee Charter, effective July 1, 2023
Re-Adopt the Board Policy Manual, all sections and policies therein, effective July 1, 2023
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, 2023, 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
School Business Manager & Assistant Superintendent for Operations and District Services – $36,400 (combined)
Authorize three separate petty cash funds as follows:
Business Office (Michelle Abrams) $50
Career & Technical Education (Billie Hladik) $50
Special Education (Holly Anker) $50
Establish the following substitute staff pay rates for the school year 2023-2024:
| Substitute Positions | Rates Effective 7/1/2023 (all rates are inclusive of Summer Programs – unless otherwise delineated) |
||
| Certified Substitute Teacher | $ 125.00 | Per | Diem |
| Certified Substitute Teacher — Long Term | $ 140.00 | Per | Diem |
| Certified Substitute Teacher — Retired | $ 160.00 | Per | Diem |
| Certified Substitute Teacher — Regional Summer School | $ 20.77 | Per | Hour |
| Courier | $ 15.80 | Per | Hour |
| Custodial Worker | $ 15.35 | Per | Hour |
| Interpreter | $ 16.60 | Per | Hour |
| Lifeguard | $ 15.20 | Per | Hour |
| School Bus Attendant | $ 15.38 | Per | Hour |
| School Bus Attendant — Retired | $ 17.60 | Per | Hour |
| School Bus Driver | $ 21.93 | Per | Hour |
| School Bus Driver — Retired | $ 26.87 | Per | Hour |
| School Bus Driver Trainee | $ 19.74 | Per | Hour |
| School Nurse (LPN) | $ 110.00 | Per | Diem |
| School Nurse (RN) | $ 135.00 | Per | Diem |
| Teacher Aide/School Monitor | $ 15.50 | Per | Hour |
| Teacher Aide/School Monitor – Long Term | $ 105.00 | Per | Diem |
| Teacher Aide/School Monitor — Retired | $ 18.30 | Per | Hour |
| Typist | $ 16.05 | Per | Hour |
| Uncertified Substitute Teacher | $ 110.00 | Per | Diem |
| Uncertified Substitute Teacher — Long Term | $ 120.00 | Per | Diem |
| Uncertified Substitute Teacher — Regional Summer School | $ 15.38 | 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 CRG
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 $5,000,000.
Establish April 10, 2024, as the date for the next BOCES Annual Meeting
Establish April 24, 2024, 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 2023-2024:
Career/Technical Program (½ day) $3,162.00
Career/Technical Program (full day) 6,352.00
Establish the following ancillary pay rates for school year 2023-2024:
Retiree Scorers
$100/per diem
Regional Scoring Assistants
15/hour
Lifeguard
15.20/hour
Adult Educators
30/hour
Bus Driver Trainers
25/hour
Curriculum Writing
25/hour
Chaperones
25/hour
Summer Professional Development Participants
25/hour
Regional Summer School Teacher
40/hour
Regional Summer School Teaching Assistant
15/hour
TASC/HSE Coordinator
30.00/hour
TASC/HSE Examiner
25.00/hour
TASC/HSE Proctor
15.00/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 Matt Sullivan and seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea, to approve the reorganization resolutions for the 2023-2024 school year as presented. This motion was unanimously carried.
ADJOURNMENT
At 5:08 p.m. a motion was made by Kathryn Zajicek to adjourn the reorganization meeting and prepare to enter a special board meeting. This motion was seconded by Matt Sullivan and unanimously carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Eaton
Clerk of the Board
Extraclassroom Activity Fund
2023-2024.
| EXTRACLASSROOM ACTIVITY FUNDS | ||
| 07/01/2023-06/30/24 | ||
| A/C# | Fund Name | Faculty Advisor |
| 100 | Auto Body | John Ackermann |
| 102 | Auto A | Thomas Davis |
| 106 | Conservation | Adam Cancio/Craig Newkirk |
| 109 | Cosmetology A | Julie Mead |
| 110 | Cosmetology B | Valerie Charpentier |
| 115 | Digital Multimedia | Karen Garrison/ Dayna Peck |
| 133 | Foundations of Food | Amy Webb |
| 140 | PTECH Student Government | TBD |
| PTECH Academic Club | TBD | |
| PTECH Art Club | TBD | |
| PTECH Blacksmith Club | TBD | |
| PTECH Drama | TBD | |
| PTECH Debate and Gaming | TBD | |
| PTECH Future Business Leaders of America | TBD | |
| PTECH Equity and Inclusion | TBD | |
| PTECH Positivity Club | TBD | |
| PTECH Rock and Jazz Club | TBD | |
| PTECH Student Judicial Council | TBD | |
| PTECH Underwater Robotics Club | TBD | |
| PTECH Yearbook Club | TBD | |
| 141 | FFA | TBD |
| 142 | Veterinary & Animal Science | Meredith Tuppen |
| Construction Technology Program | Steven Derwin | |
HFM BOCES SCHOOL LIBRARY SYSTEM COUNCIL
| Name | District/Organization
|
| Carla Bengle-Mackey | Gloversville |
| Terri Brown | Northville |
| Laura Campagna | Amsterdam |
| Sarah Cordts | Broadalbin-Perth |
| Susan D’Entremont | CDLC |
| Lauren Goldman | Canajoharie |
| Crystal Keck | Johnstown |
| Amber Smith, Council Chair | Fonda-Fultonville |
| Christine Suhr | Wells |
| Dan Towne | FMCC |
| Eric Trahan | MVLS |
| Vacant | St. Mary’s |
Updated 7/1/23
DIGNITY ACT COORDINATORS
Charis Kakavelos CTE
Michael DiMezza CTE
Riley O’Malley CTE
Matthew Popp Special Education
Daniel Salvagni Special Education
Nadine Paul Special Education
Elizabeth Wild Special Education
Christine Carioto Adirondack Academy
Brian Garrity Adirondack Academy
Julie Blanchard Adirondack Academy
Celeste Keane PTECH
Kiante Jones PTECH
Professional Learning Plan Team 23-24 School Year
| The Professional Learning Plan Team | ||
| Name | Program | Role |
| Jay DeTraglia | HFM BOCES | Assistant Superintendent |
| Tara Caraco | Instructional Services | Coordinator |
| Chris Carioto | ADK | Principal |
| Brian Garrity | ADK | Coordinator |
| Russell Brown | ADK | Teacher |
| Mike DiMezza | CTE | Principal |
| Celeste Keane | PTech | Principal |
| Nancy Turnbull | SpEd | Teacher, Union President |
| Jeanne Halloran | PTech | Teacher |
| Vanessa Stark | PTech | Teacher |
| Anna Goderie | PTech | Teacher |
| Cody LaFountain | SpEd | Teacher |
| Michelle Rice | SpEd | Teacher |
| Alexandria Chace | SpEd | Teacher |
| Daniella Murphy | SpEd | Teacher |
| Jodi Eakin | SpEd | Curriculum Coach |
| Heather Bozek | Instructional Services | Coordinator of District Data |
| Christie Davis | FMCC | Director of External Partnerships and Applied Learning |
| Daniel Fogarty | FMCC | Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs |
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Following the Reorganizational Meeting, President Brooks called a special board meeting to order at 5:08 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Kathryn Zajicek made a motion, seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea and unanimously carried to waive the 48-hour notice and approve the agenda as presented and add or remove any items introduced by unanimous vote.
PROJECT PROPOSAL WATERSTONE EDUCATIONAL ADVISORS, LLC
Kathryn Zajicek made a motion to authorize the District Superintendent to execute the Project Proposal by and between HFM BOCES and Waterstone Educational Advisors, LLC to perform a two-day workshop and two half day follow up sessions during the 2023-2024 school year. This motion was seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea and unanimously carried. (SY 23-24 #1)
FUTURE MEETINGS
August 2, 2023 – HFM BOCES Regular Board Meeting – 4:30pm, HFM BOCES Board Room
August 30, 2023 – HFM BOCES Regular Board Meeting – 5pm, HFM BOCES Board Room
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business to come before the Board, Kathryn Zajicek made a motion at 5:16 p.m. to adjourn the meeting. This motion was seconded by Rebecca Cozzocrea and unanimously carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Eaton
Clerk of the Board
