GREENE – Administrators and schools board members from several area districts met for an annual dinner Tuesday evening to recognize recent retirees, laud educational initiatives within the districts and reward the 2015 “School Board Member of the Year.”
Recently Retired DCMO-BOCES Superintendent William Tammaro was applauded for his 32-plus years of dedication and service to the students and school districts under the umbrella of the Chenango campus.
Norwich City School Board member Perry Owen reflected on Tammaro's achievements including his hand in implementing the regions first STEM program and the highly revered Associate Degree Business Program offered to students within the DCMO-BOCES regions of Chenango, Otsego, Delaware and Madison counties. The program offers free access to college degree options thanks to collaborative efforts between the Unatego Central School and Tompkins Cortland Community College.
“As long as [we] continue to put the students first and yourselves second we'll give more opportunities for our students to be globally competitive, which is what they need to be,” said Tammaro.
DCMO-BOCES board member Robert Rodgers was also recognized for his 14 years of dedication at that post. Prior to being elected to the Norwich Campus BOCES board in 2001, Rodgers spent 15 years on the Oxford Academy school board in addition to serving as CCSBA Vice President. Rodgers accomplished all of this in tandem with a career in the engineering department of the Raymond Corporation spanning more then 37 years.
A number of area public education institutions gave presentations highlighting new and innovative programs that forge new paths to graduate success.
Dr. David Wheeler, Superintendent of the Bainbridge-Guilford Central School District laid out his schools “Career Ready” Machinist Training Program and TC3 Associates Degree program that will enable three Graduates to leave high school with a college degree this year. “We're on pace to graduate at least ten with associates degrees every year from here on out,” said Wheeler. “And graduates that don't receive a college degree will have the ability to write 'some college' on an employment application because they will have complete some college credits rather than electives.”
Wheeler explained that one the most impactful factors to the success of the programs were the addition of two counselors that concentrate on career exploration rather that crisis intervention. The additional staff as allowed the district to take proactive direction that will set students up to succeed in a field of study or career upon high school graduation. “It is the job of the Superintendent and the school boards to work with other districts to the communities to bring these career pathways to our students”, said Wheeler.
Jeanne Shields was awarded the “School Board Member of the Year” award by CCSBA President Kristen Rumovicz. Shields has served on the B-G board since 1999 and has been subsequently active on policy, transportation, food service and LINKS committees.
A certificate commemorating the occasion from New York State 52nd District Senator Tom Libous was read and presented along with a citation form New York State Assemblyman Clifford Crouch.
“Jeanne was nominated by the CCSBA and her home district for being an active and engaged member in our organization. We meet approximately four to six time throughout the year and share what is happening in our schools and discuss ways to improve our own districts though collaboration,” said Rumovicz.