A local attorney and chairman of the City of Utica Republican Committee is announcing his candidacy for Utica School Board. 

Joseph Hobika Jr. is a graduate of Hamilton College and Syracuse University of Law. In announcing his candidacy, Hobika outlined a four-point plan to improve Utica schools.

  1. Safety and Security
  2. Correcting the school district funding formula
  3. Fiscal Planning
  4. Student Achievement

Hobika has been the City of Utica's Empire Zone Coordinator, Brownfield Coordinator, Executive Director of, and General Counsel to the Utica IDA, and Executive Director of the Utica Brownfield Revitalization Corporation. Additionally, he's served on several boards, including the Mohawk Valley Water Authority, Oneida County Sports Commission, and the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce.

Area voters will decided on school budgets and board members on May 15.

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