Rick Virkler getting sworn in to the Board of Education by Shawn Maxson

HERKIMER – Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Board of Education President Holly Pullis and Vice President Ronald Loiacono were re-elected to one-year terms during the board’s annual reorganization meeting on Thursday, July 10, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center.

Pullis and Loiacono have served in their current board leadership positions since January 2023.

The board also recognized Pullis, Samuel Luce and Janine Lynch for being re-elected to the board and welcomed new board member Rick Virkler. The board members were elected by component school district board members in April to three-year terms from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.

Pullis represents Owen D. Young Central School District on the Herkimer BOCES Board of Education, Loiacono represents Mount Markham Central School District, Luce represents Herkimer Central School District, Lynch represents West Canada Valley Central School District and Virkler represents Central Valley Central School District. Virkler replaces former BOCES board member Travis Costin, who didn’t seek re-election.

During the reorganization meeting, board members also approved the board’s meeting schedule for the 2025-26 school year. The meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will take place at the Herkimer BOCES William E. Busacker Complex at 352 Gros Blvd. in Herkimer. Meetings typically take place on the second Thursday of the month except where noted below. The following is the board meeting schedule:

  • Aug. 14, 2025

  • Aug. 28, 2025 (special meeting)

  • Sept. 11, 2025

  • Oct. 9, 2025

  • Nov. 6, 2025 (first Thursday)

  • Dec. 11, 2025

  • Jan. 8, 2026

  • Feb. 12, 2026

  • March 12, 2026

  • April 16, 2026 (third Thursday)

  • May 21, 2026 (third Thursday)

  • June 11, 2026

  • July 9, 2026 (reorganization and regular meeting)

Additionally, the Board of Education scheduled the Herkimer BOCES 2026 Annual Meeting for Thursday, April 2, 2026, and the special meeting of component districts to vote on the BOCES administrative budget and board election for Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Robert Virkler sworn in to the Board of Education by Shawn Maxson
Rick Virkler is sworn in as a member of the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Board of Education by Board Clerk Shawn Maxson during the board’s reorganization meeting on Thursday, July 10, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center. Virkler represents Central Valley Central School District on the Herkimer BOCES Board of Education and will serve a three-year term through June 30, 2028.

Samuel Luce sworn in to the Board of Education by Shawn Maxson after getting re-elected
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Board of Education member Samuel Luce is sworn in to a new three-year term by Board Clerk Shawn Maxson during the board’s reorganization meeting on Thursday, July 10, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center. Luce represents Herkimer Central School District on the Herkimer BOCES Board of Education.

Janine Lynch  sworn in to the Board of Education by Shawn Maxson after getting re-elected
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Board of Education member Janine Lynch is sworn in to a new three-year term by Board Clerk Shawn Maxson during the board’s reorganization meeting on Thursday, July 10, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center. Lynch represents West Canada Valley Central School District on the Herkimer BOCES Board of Education.

Ronald Loiacano sworn in as Board of Education vice president by Shawn Maxson after getting re-elected to the position
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Board of Education Vice President Ronald Loiacono is sworn in to a new one-year term as vice president by Board Clerk Shawn Maxson during the board’s reorganization meeting on Thursday, July 10, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center. Loiacono represents Mount Markham Central School District on the Herkimer BOCES Board of Education and has served as vice president since January 2023.