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Meet the BOE

The Central Valley Central School District Board of Education is comprised of seven members, each elected to a three-year term.

To contact the board, email boe@cvalleycsd.org. (A copy of the email automatically forwards to each board member.)

The current members are:

  • Jason Sanchez (president)
  • Valerie Day (vice president)
  • Jonathan Boucher
  • Travis Costin
  • Matt Darrow
  • Jim Kramas
  • Rick Virkler

Jason Sanchez

Term expires June 30, 2025

A man with short brown hair and a beard smiles at the camera.

Jason attended the University of Rochester, earning his Bachelor of Arts in History in 1999. He earned his Master of Arts in Teaching in 2001. Jason began teaching in 2001. He received his Certificate of Advanced Studies from SUNY Cortland in 2010. He has worked as a teacher and an administrator for over twenty years. Jason is the Director of Pupil Personnel for Mount Markham Central School District. Jason lives in Mohawk with his wife Erin and their four children.

What are the most important issues you believe face the Board of Education of the Central Valley School District?

  • Student programs and opportunities—An essential role of the School District is to provide world class opportunities for students through programs that help our students compete in both career and college.
  • Fiscal Responsibility—The board must ensure that the school district has a vision for sustainability that is mindful of our businesses’ and residents’ resources.
  • Commmunity—Fostering community connections is important for the future of our community. I would like for our students to develop a love for our community and the value of working and living here after they have graduated.

Valerie Day

Term expires June 30, 2025

A woman with long dark hair smiles at the camera.

Jon Boucher

Term expires June 30, 2026

A firefighter smiles broadly for the camera, standing in front of a fire truck.

Jon is a lifelong resident of Ilion, having graduated from the former Ilion Jr/Sr High School in
1997 and Herkimer College in 1999. He serves as a professional firefighter and advanced EMT for the Village of Ilion Fire Department.

Jon has spent his career in the fire service with a passion for speaking at local schools and community centers to teach fire prevention. He also serves as a fire lieutenant, President of IFD Local 1185, and a certified peer support counselor to his fellow brothers and sisters. Over the past several years, Jon has volunteered and coached for local youth sports programs, and has a strong desire to serve the needs of the community.

Jon resides in Ilion, with his wife and two adolescent children.

What are the most important issues you believe face the Board of Education of the
Central Valley School District?

  • Education is much different today than it was in the past. The teachers and students of today are faced with many challenges of technology and diversity, therefore it is imperative to find ways to adapt to newer methods of teaching and learning.
  • Continuing to keep our students safe and secure at school, through SRO’s, safety plans and committees, and open  communication between school and home.
  • Striving to find ways for our district to become even more inclusive of all students,

through Pathways Academy, BOCES, sports, clubs, and extracurricular activities.

Travis Costin

Term expires June 30, 2026

A man smiles for the camera, wearing a blue hoodie with a white logo.

Matt Darrow

Term expires June 30, 2025

A man with short brown hair and a green shirt smiles at the camera.

Matt was born and raised in Ilion and has lived in the school district his entire life. He graduated from the Ilion Jr/Sr. High School in 1995 with a Regents diploma and attended Herkimer County Community College where he received an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He is currently employed as a School Resource Office at Frankfort CSD. He is the owner of R.A.M Property Maintenance, which provides mowing and snow plowing services for residential and commercial customers.

Matt is has volunteered as a coach for the Central Valley Intramurals Basketball Program, Ilion Pop Warner flag football program, Ilion AYSO soccer program, and Ilion Little League Baseball program. He is a member of the Ilion Elks Lodge. He has also served as a member of the Central Valley Foundation and was on the transportation committee for the proposed merger.

Matt is married and has three young children.

What are the most important issues you believe face the Board of Education of the Central Valley School District?

  • Student achievement – I feel that we need to ensure that all our children have access to the programs and support they need to be able to achieve their full potential and that our teachers should be properly supported to offer students excellent instruction.
  • Lack of Communication — There needs to be more communication with the staff, parents, and community members. We need to develop trust and effective communication with all stakeholders by communicating a vision for the district and why the option that was chosen is the best balance of all the needs.
  • Alignment of schools and consistency of curriculum — I feel we need to examine the alignment of our elementary schools. There are many factors that impact this issue and we need to figure out what is the best option for our students and staff. We should also need to have a consistency when it comes to the curriculum.
  • Transportation — We need to re-evaluate ways to ensure that students are not riding buses for long periods of time.

James “Jim” Kramas

Term expires June 30, 2027

A man with a mustache wearing a suit and tie.

I was born and raised in north-central Wisconsin. After high school, I enlisted in the Army and pursued a career in Special Forces. My military career concentrated on counter-terrorism operations, and I have had numerous combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. I retired from the Army’s Joint Special Operation Command in 1998.

I attended Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC, earning my Bachelor of Science in History and a Master of Public Administration degree from Oklahoma University. I was recruited and served as a senior security consultant and counterinsurgency expert in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2005 until 2016. I worked in several other positions in the security field and am currently semi-retired from the safety and security industry.

My wife (Sally) and I have been residents of the district for 18 years and raised three children.

What are the most important issues you believe face the Board of Education of the Central Valley School District?

A-B-Cs

 

A. Our students should have the opportunity to excel in their pursuit of academics, as well as athletics and after school activities. A blended student scholar–athlete/activities approach is key to allow our students to grow and foster lifelong skills that will propel them throughout their life.

B. Budget & Fiscal Responsibility - The BOE is entrusted with the responsibility to ensure that the district maintains a vision for fiscal responsibility that is mindful of the district’s precious resources.

C. Citizenship – An area that I plan to continue to foster is citizenship. Being a good citizen of our respective schools (district) and community will build respect, integrity, and leadership. I will encourage our students to develop a love for our community and their respective schools- to “be true to your school.”

s. There are no second chances at safety and security of our students, faculty and facilities. Safety and security are paramount. I will strongly advocate and carefully monitor with passion.

Rick Virkler

Term expires June 30, 2027

After college, Rick spent the first 14+ years of his career in Financial Services, with over 11 of those years as a Sales Manager at two Fortune 100 companies. During his time in Finance, Rick prepared budgets, managed both business and personal assets and managed a team of 150+ professionals. Holding several industry licenses, which included the FINRA Series 7 Registered Representative and Series 26 Registered Supervisory Principal, and completing his Chartered Financial Consultant “ChFC” designation from the American College.

After stepping back from that industry, Rick has spent the last several years as a Regional Sales Manager with Munson Machinery, where he has a much better work/life balance. Rick holds a BA in Political Science from Syracuse University, and resides in Mohawk with his wife Missy and four daughters.

He also splits his time between coaching Youth Softball and Basketball, being a member of the Central Valley Youth Softball Board, as well as being a member of the Mohawk Municipal Commission.

What are the most important issues you believe face the Board of Education of the Central Valley School District?

  • Fiscal Efficiency – With aid from COVID winding down in all districts in the next few years, it is extremely important for us to make smart financial moves that will keep us well positioned in the years to come.
  • Attracting and Retaining Faculty and Staff – We need our district to be a place where teachers, administrators, nurses and staff want to work. While fostering an environment that attracts talent, we can continue to build upon our already strong team of Teachers, Nurses, Staff and Administrators.
  • Safety and Security – With an ever-changing world around us, the need for safe and secure schools is paramount. When we send our children to school each day, we should all be comfortable knowing and trusting that they will all come home safely each day.