The New York State Education Commissioner has issued an order scheduling the first board of education election for the new Ilion-Mohawk Central School District.

According to Commissioner John King, the vote will take place from Noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, at the Ilion Junior-Senior High School.

Residents will elect seven members to the new board and the candidates that receive the greatest number of votes will serve the longest terms.

Three board members will serve for three-year terms expiring June 30, 2016; two members will serve for two-year terms expiring June 30, 2015; and two members will serve one-year terms expiring June 30, 2014.

Petitions for board candidates are available at the Ilion or Mohawk school district office. Candidates must collect at least 25 signatures of legal voters in the combined district and must return the petitions to the school district offices no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, March 11.

Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES District Superintendent Mark Vivacqua will determine the order of candidates on the ballot at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 11, at the Ilion Junior-Senior High School.

The order from King also places Vivacqua in charge of the election and appoints 26 residents to a Board of Canvass for the vote. To view a full list of the Board of Canvass members, you can visit www.herkimer-boces.org.

The Board of Canvass will inspect the voting machines and poll books, supervise the conduct of the voting, canvass the ballots following the closing of the polls and report the results to Vivacqua and the state Education Department.

Absentee ballots are expected to be available beginning late in the day on Tuesday, March 12 at the Mohawk and Ilion district offices. To check about availability, call the Ilion district office at 315-894-9934 or the Mohawk district office at 315-867-2904.