There are four candidates for the three Herkimer Central School District Board of Education seats that are up for election during the school budget vote from noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, in the Herkimer Middle-High School Library Media Center.
All three seats are for three-year terms from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
The four candidates are: William Vivlamore, Audrey Piccione, incumbent Scott Petucci and incumbent Joseph Lamanna.
Get to know more about the candidates below:
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Name: William Vivlamore
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Years of Residency in the District: 18.
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Why are you running for the Board of Education?
I am running for a position on the Board of Education because I believe strong schools are a large part of the foundation of a strong community. I’m passionate about ensuring every student has access to quality education, supportive resources and opportunities to succeed. I want to use my experience, leadership and commitment to help make thoughtful decisions that support the students, families and teachers of our district.
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What skills or perspectives would you bring to the board?
Having raised a family in the district, including three children that graduated in the last five years, I’ve seen all that the district has to offer and also experienced times in which there was a need for improvement. I would bring a diverse, professional background, rooted in leadership, communication and public service. I have a strong commitment to transparency, community engagement, accountability and a sincere passion for supporting the students, families and educators to help ensure our district continues to grow and succeed. While my children have graduated and moved onto higher education, I feel a strong desire to advocate for the next generation and help ensure that the district’s voice is heard for generations to come.
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Name: Audrey Piccione
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Years of Residency in the District: 40 years.
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Why are you running for the Board of Education?
As a parent of two children in the Herkimer School District, I’m personally invested in the success and well-being of all students. I’m running for the Herkimer school board because I want to take a more active role in shaping the future of our schools, support and sustain important initiatives and capital projects, and help keep the district moving in a positive direction for students, families, faculty and the community. I also believe that our schools are strongest when everyone is involved, and I want to encourage students, families and staff to have a voice, stay engaged and work together.
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What skills or perspectives would you bring to the board?
I hold a Master of Science in community health education from SUNY Cortland, along with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and women’s studies from SUNY Oneonta. I am a proud alumna of Herkimer College and Herkimer High School. For nearly 18 years, I have worked at Arc Herkimer, where I currently serve as associate vice president, supporting inclusive services and programs that empower individuals with disabilities and promote community engagement.
I am a lifelong resident of Herkimer that has built my life and career around serving others and strengthening our community. I am deeply committed to service through my active involvement throughout our community. I am an active member of the Mohawk Valley Rotary, serve on the Herkimer Housing Authority board, am a former Pop Warner board member and have volunteered my time coaching Pop Warner cheerleading. Through these roles, I have contributed to initiatives that support local families and improve quality of life in our community.
I hope to bring a positive and compassionate perspective, along with innovative thinking, to support the success of all students and the broader school community. My experience with budgeting and program development will help ensure responsible decision-making and effective, impactful initiatives across the district.
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Name: Scott Petucci
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Years of Residency in the District: I have lived in Herkimer my entire life; I will be 55 in May.
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Why are you running for the Board of Education?
I am a lifelong resident of Herkimer and a graduate of the district, along with my wife. Two out of three of our children have graduated from Herkimer with one to graduate in 2028. I am running for the school board to give back to my community and to volunteer my time for the betterment of the Herkimer Central School District. There isn’t a more important part of our community than our school district. I will continue to work hard to ensure all of the students, faculty and staff are treated fairly and have the best experiences possible while being part of the district.
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What skills or perspectives would you bring to the board?
If re-elected, this will be my fourth term on the board, so I will bring that extensive experience to my next term. I have experience assisting in eight previous budgets, working with three superintendents, three business officials and a multitude of board workshops conducted by the legal counsel for the district. I have assisted in our latest superintendent search, have run the policy committee shortly after I started on the board and served on the health and safety committee. I have been through numerous disciplinary actions of both staff and students that were led by our superintendents and legal counsel, while being dictated by New York state laws. I have also been involved in the tenure process for our faculty, the replacement of two long-time high school principals and the hiring of three new principals. Outside of my school board experience, I have almost 21 years of state government experience, 18 years of teaching college courses and 15-plus years of coaching multiple sports at numerous levels.
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Name: Joe Lamanna
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Years of Residency in the District: 18 years.
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Why are you running for the Board of Education?
I initially ran for the Board of Education to advocate for children and to gain a deeper understanding of what happens in our schools beyond the classroom and athletic events. My first year was eye-opening – I learned about the various committees, the significant time you must commit as a board member and the importance of staying informed about the district’s day-to-day operations.
Now, five years later, I am serving as vice president and seeking my third term. I am proud of the progress we have made at Herkimer during my time on the board. If you have never attended a Board of Education meeting, I encourage you to do so. It’s a valuable opportunity to stay informed about your local schools and to see firsthand the great work being done in Herkimer, alongside our dedicated and talented administration and staff.
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What skills or perspectives would you bring to the board?
One of my greatest strengths as a Board of Education member is my strong understanding of the budget and daily operations of the district. My professional background in finance and budgeting, which I apply in my work every day, allows me to analyze and make informed decisions that support fiscal responsibility.
Through my work on the Policy Committee, I have developed a clear understanding of the purpose, development and implementation of district policies. In addition, my background in construction management provides valuable insight as a member of the Facilities Committee, particularly as we continue to make improvements and upgrades to ensure Herkimer remains an excellent learning environment for our students.
Just as important, I value teamwork and advocacy. I’ve worked closely with other board members, administrators and community partners, including advocating to keep a school resource officer in our schools to support student safety. I approach this role with a focus on being open, making informed decisions and always putting students, staff and our community first.
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