BOCES Employee Newsletter

As we return from spring break and move into the final stretch of the school year, it is time to refocus on the work that matters most and prepare our students for success beyond graduation. Across Broome-Tioga BOCES, that work is taking shape through our alignment with the New York State Education Department’s NY Inspires initiative.

NY Inspires is a statewide effort to rethink how we define student success. It challenges us to think beyond traditional measures of success and focus on the knowledge, skills, and experiences students need to thrive in college, careers, and life. Each day, I see that vision coming to life across our programs.

In late March, students from across the region earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. This recognition reflects more than language proficiency. It represents critical thinking, communication skills, and cultural awareness. These are essential components of NY Inspires and show how our students are building skills that extend beyond the classroom and prepare them to become global citizens.

On April 20, students from our Sisterhood of the Trades were showcased at the annual BOCES Expo in Albany. This event highlights the depth and breadth of our programs and the many pathways available to students. Sisterhood of the Trades is a program that empowers young women to explore careers in skilled trades. Through hands-on experiences and mentorship, these students are building confidence, developing technical skills, and expanding access to career pathways that have traditionally been underrepresented.

We are also seeing this work in action through SkillsUSA and other career and technical education opportunities. This week our CTE students will take part in a state competition and demonstrate technical expertise, professionalism, and leadership. They are applying what they have learned in our classrooms in a real-world setting and are gaining the confidence needed to succeed. This hands-on, applied learning defines the future of education and creates graduates who are ready to learn, grow, create, work, and contribute.

NY Inspires is not a single program or initiative. It is a shared commitment that is reflected in classrooms, partnerships, and experiences across our region. One of the ways this commitment takes shape is through regionalization.

Regionalization is an approach supported by the New York State Education Department that focuses on shared planning, services, and resources across school districts, while maintaining local control. Through BOCES, districts collaborate to reduce duplication, strengthen programs, and ensure students have access to high-quality experiences.

Our non-instructional teams support this work each and every day. School Nutrition Services recently supported a regional leadership dinner for superintendents and board members.

Our BOCES Business Office keeps districts aligned with procedures and standards. They do this through standardized processes and participation in audits to maintain continuity of service. We also provide shared services through our Central Business Office, which offers guidance and expertise during the annual school budgeting process. Our CBO team makes sure all the numbers add up and ensures financial accuracy for all of our districts.

The South Central Regional Information Center is also a good example of regional collaboration in action. They serve our districts as well as the component districts of two other BOCES. They continue to expand services and recently added Managed Information Technology Service for additional districts in the region.

New services and expanded support reflect our continued focus on regionalization. Our Human Resources Department has also expanded services through the Employee Assistance Program. This service is now offered to three additional districts, which reduces costs and strengthens support for staff.

These efforts reflect our focus on collaboration and regionalization, words you are going to hear a lot in the future. This work will continue to grow in the years ahead and remain a key strategy in how we support our districts and create better opportunities for our students, staff, and community.

Dr. Rebecca Stone
Superintendent, Broome-Tioga BOCES

The education center addition and renovation project continues to move forward, with contractors preparing the site for construction. Over spring break, crews will be working on extending the water line to the new addition. As activity on campus increases, please continue to follow all posted "No Parking" and "Do Not Enter" signs to help keep everyone safe. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as this exciting project gets underway.

As part of the project, New York State requires a SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan). This plan helps keep dirt, mud, and other materials from washing into storm drains and waterways during construction. To meet these requirements, contractors are continuing final SWPPP inspections in the BTTC (Broome-Tioga Trades Complex) and O&M areas. You may see signs, fencing, or contractors working in these locations. Please do not walk or drive through areas that do not yet have grass or appear unfinished unless you have checked that it is safe to do so.

At the Broome-Tioga Trades Complex and O&M buildings, contractors are taking advantage of the warmer weather to complete the final details. Metal trim work at the BTTC building is now complete, and painting will begin once temperatures are warm enough. A few final items remain at the O&M building, including painting the exterior doors and completing the paving.

Thank you for your continued support of this project. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

The month of April has been a busy one for Health and Safety. A lot of time has been spent preparing for Lead in Drinking Water Testing. A new requirement from the Department of Health requests that all school districts create a sampling plan to use during water testing and a remediation plan to use once lab results are received. Both plans must include not only potable water sources to be tested, but also all non-potable water sources in the building.

· Examples of potable water sources are those used for drinking or cooking.

· Non-potable sources are any water outlet not used for drinking or cooking such as handwashing or dishwashing sinks.

All outlets need to be assigned an ID number and recorded in the plans. Non-potable outlets must also have “No Drinking “signs posted near them, and the district must provide some form of education as to why the water source should not be used for consumption.

BT BOCES testing will begin in early May. Once testing is complete, the samples will be analyzed at a lab, and all test results will be posted on the district website. Parents and staff will be notified if there are any outlets above the recommended action level of 5 ppb.

Fire inspections start in May. The compliance period will begin on May 15 and run through the end of June. All fire reports must be submitted to the NYSED Business Portal by July 1. A reminder list of items that the Fire Marshall will be checking during inspections will be coming out soon.

Health and Safety has also been busy helping our component districts with items such as new AED purchases and indoor air quality testing. It is a busy time of year for sure!

If you get reimbursed for things like mileage, travel, or cell phone expenses, you can have those payments sent straight to your bank account. Just fill out the ACH form for employee reimbursements located on our Staff Hub at the link below to get set up.

The BBO Team is also hard at work balancing the Instuctional Programs' physical inventory, but keeping things light with teambuilding exercises designed to foster healthy competition!

As we head into the last stretch of the fiscal year, an important reminder of important payroll dates coming up in July.

The first payroll for the 2026-2027 fiscal year will be on Thursday, July 9, 2026. This creates a three-week span from the final payroll of the 2025-2026 fiscal year (June 18, 2026).

This timing happens occasionally, and we want to share why it happens: paying contractual 12-month employees on July 2, 2026, would mean issuing 1/26 of the annual salary after two days of work - a significant prepayment that is discouraged by our internal auditors.

For hourly staff and any contractual extra hours worked during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, there will be an additional payroll on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Please reach out to the payroll department at payroll1@btboces.org with any questions.

As School District budget season winds down, the Budget and Financial Analysis department is putting the final touches on district budgets after months of focused work and collaboration. This year, the process comes with added uncertainty, as it is likely the New York State budget will not be finalized before Boards of Education are required to adopt their budgets. Through careful analysis and ongoing support, the department has helped ensure that district budgets remain balanced, responsible, and aligned with key priorities despite shifting variables.

Meanwhile, other departments are beginning to prepare for fiscal year-end, getting ready to support a smooth and accurate close in the months ahead.

We are hiring for a payroll clerk in our payroll department. If you or someone you know is interested, please visit the BT BOCES website for more information.

At Chenango Forks, our team completed installation of a new plaque display on the cafeteria wall, creating a clean and organized way to showcase recognitions within the space. The finished installation enhances the look of the area while providing a dedicated place to highlight student accomplishments.

The New York State Seal of Biliteracy is an award given to students who have demonstrated proficiency in two or more languages by graduation, highlighting their dedication, academic achievement, and readiness to engage in a global society. Document Services was proud to support and participate in the day’s recognition efforts, with Amy Tomminello and her dog Marni attending and connecting with students. The project was very well received, with positive feedback from staff, and Marni built a great connection with the students throughout the event.

A lot is happening across BOCES. The Communications and Public Relations team is working behind the scenes to make sure people see it, understand it, and value it.

This spring, the team partnered with Document Services on campus designs for the new Practical Nursing building. From early design concepts to final visuals, the goal is simple. When people walk in, they know what the program stands for and why it matters.

The team also pushed hard on media coverage. More stories are getting out across the region. That means more people are seeing the work happening in classrooms, programs, and districts every day.

One highlight is the PLIC Seal of Biliteracy. This was an opportunity to showcase student achievement and real outcomes to a broader audience through media coverage. Students are graduating with skills that open doors. The community is starting to see that more clearly.

Budget season is another major focus. The team worked with districts to map out key dates and expectations. Clear communication at the right time helps districts stay on track and avoid last-minute issues.

Next up are budget newsletters. These are not just required documents. They are one of the main ways the public learns how school funding works. The team takes complex information and makes it readable and useful. When people understand where their money goes, trust follows.

This work does not always show up in one place. It shows up everywhere. In the news, in district materials, and in the way BOCES is understood across the region.

We are proud to celebrate LeAndra Yarrell, representing our Broome-Tioga BOCES District-Based Oak Tree program. (She is in the Windsor district at C.R. Weeks Elementary in the K-2 Oak Tree classroom.)

Mrs. Yarrell has been recognized by New York State Senator Lea Webb as part of the Educators Inspiring a Generation 2026 Award. This honor highlights Mrs. Yarrell’s outstanding commitment to student success, innovative teaching practices, and leadership within our educational community.

Mrs. Yarrell, your passion and dedication make a lasting difference in the lives of your students and colleagues each day. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.

The 15th annual Robotics Competition hosted by SUNY Broome and BT BOCES took place in mid-April, with students from all around the region competing in eight different events showcasing their robotics skills.

Local news channel News34 stopped by the event to get some footage, as well as conduct an interview with P-Tech Engineering Teacher Matt Hamilton-Jones. Check out the story below!

While winter weather may have delayed our plans, it certainly didn’t dampen our spirit! Due to school closures in December, BOCES Food Service postponed our annual holiday celebration, but we were excited to finally come together in March to enjoy the occasion as a team.

Held in Vestal this year, the event gave us a much-appreciated opportunity to reconnect, relax, and celebrate the hard work and dedication of our staff amongst the 15 districts we serve. Despite the change in timing, all our favorite traditions remained in place. Staff members enjoyed an amazing meal, the festive gift auction, raffle prizes, and more. Each attendee also brought a nonperishable donation for Vestal’s food pantry, adding a meaningful way to give back to the community.

Dinner was catered by two of our valued brokers, Link 2 Hospitality and Singer Flihan Equipment, whose support and partnership continue to play an important role in our program’s success. Many staff shared that this was the best holiday event they have attended yet.

In addition to our internal celebration, BOCES School Nutrition Service also catered for the Broome-Tioga School Boards Association joint dinner held at Chenango Forks in March. A great deal of time and effort goes into an event of this scale—from ordering food and supplies to carefully planning menu items based on the equipment available on-site. Once again, our food service team did not disappoint, receiving many compliments from the participating districts for a job well done.

Students from across the region came to BT BOCES on March 24 and 25 to share their culminating projects towards earning the Seal of Biliteracy. The culminating projects include students researching a topic of their choice, reading authentic texts, and presenting in a language other than English. On the presentation day, they present their projects to a panel of teachers or community members who are proficient in the language they were presenting in. The panel evaluates students using a rubric provided by NYSED to determine their proficiency in the language.

This year, we are celebrating 194 students who successfully present their projects in 28 different languages! Participating districts included Binghamton, Chenango Forks, Chenango Valley, Deposit, Greene, Harpursville, Johnson City, Maine-Endwell , Newark Valley, Seton Catholic, Sidney, Union-Endicott, Vestal, and Windsor. Congratulations to the students and their teachers on this notable accomplishment!

Click here to view photos from each district.

Are you interested in participating in the YMCA of Broome County Corporate Challenge? Join us on June 11 at SUNY Broome as we come together with other local businesses for an evening of fun, fitness, and camaraderie. Use the links (in the flyer) to register. Make sure to select Broome-Tioga BOCES as your team. The team captain, Kerri Bullock, will be in contact with all registered team members prior to the race.

Last month, members of the SCRIC attended the 5th Annual RIC One Data Privacy and Security Service (DPSS) Conference, which convenes data protection officers and privacy professionals from across New York for networking, learning, and collaboration.

With 500 attendees, this year’s conference was the largest to date and was particularly meaningful for the SCRIC, as Saige Hupman and Ashleen Speen served as co-chairs. Jason Moreno and Philip Sage also did an excellent job presenting during breakout sessions.

The DEI Committee is continuing work to strengthen how employees feel supported, heard, and connected across Broome-Tioga BOCES. A key focus is listening to staff in a more direct way. We received a lot of great feedback from the 2026 employee sentiment survey, but the committee is considering hosting small focus groups to gain more specific insight across the organization. These sessions will give employees the chance to share honest feedback about their experience and how they view belonging across BOCES. The goal is to better understand where employees feel heard and where follow-through needs to improve.

The committee is also expanding training opportunities for all BOCES staff.

Upcoming sessions include:

• April 27: Unconscious Bias training

• May 14: Microaggressions training

• July 23: Unconscious Bias session
  
  

If you or an employee would like to attend these in-person training sessions, please click on the link below to sign up. These trainings are free to attend but registration is required.

The committee is also considering offering Dignity Index training and making these sessions available to more employees, including paraprofessionals and leadership teams. The Dignity Index is a simple way to look at how we talk to each other, especially during difficult conversations.

Another area of focus is defining what strong workplace expectations look like across the organization. This work is centered on “corporate character.” It will help clarify how staff are expected to communicate, collaborate, and support one another. The goal is to create consistency across all departments and align this work with the BOCES mission and values.

The committee is also working to improve communication. This includes sharing updates, resources, and opportunities more consistently so employees know how to get involved and stay informed.

There’s been a lot of discussion in the media lately about screen time and technology use. While we know that not all screen time is created equal, the quality of engagement often outweighs the quantity of minutes. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that the health of students’ digital ecosystems (the apps, tools, and habits we engage with) has a greater impact than minutes alone. A healthy digital ecosystem supports learning and development, while a less intentional one can compete with sleep, movement, and focus.

As educators, we have opportunities to support students in becoming more mindful technology users. This doesn’t require a full overhaul! Small, realistic shifts can make a meaningful difference.

Start With Awareness

We’ve all experienced digital distraction. You pick up your phone to check the weather and find yourself 10 minutes later mid-scroll on social media.

One simple strategy for both adults and students when turning to a device is to pause and ask: "Why am I picking this up right now?" If the answer isn’t clear, it may be a habit rather than a need. Briefly naming the intention can help bring attention back under control. This doesn’t have to happen every time! Even occasional pauses help cultivate healthier long-term habits.

Active vs. Passive Use
Distinguishing between active and passive use is key. Collaborating on a shared document or using accessibility tools to ensure every learner can succeed is purposeful and intentional. Other uses can become more passive, such as clicking through tasks without thought or focusing more on points than actual learning.

Helping students notice the difference can be powerful. You might occasionally model questions like:

• Why am I using this tool right now?
• Is this helping me learn, create, or connect?
• Am I in control of this tool or is it controlling my attention?

Small Shifts for Big Impact

You don’t need to redesign your classroom routines to support healthier tech habits. Try introducing one manageable shift that students can observe and eventually mirror.

For the Classroom & Office:

• Name the Task: Ask students to state their purpose before opening a device or tab.
• Try Focus Times: When possible, reduce notifications or distractions during planning or independent work time.
• Limit Open Tabs: Encourage closing unnecessary tabs during work time to support focus.
• Reset: Engage in tech-free moments to reestablish connection and attention.

For Personal Well-being:

• Notice Patterns: Pay attention to when devices are picked up out of habit versus purpose.
• Set Boundaries: Silencing non-essential notifications or using built-in app timers can reduce interruptions and help you stay mindful of your digital boundaries.
• Invest Off-Screen: Prioritize analog breaks (movement, reading, or hobbies) to help reset focus and energy.

This work isn’t about doing everything perfectly or all at once, even trying one idea occasionally can make a difference. Supporting healthy digital habits for ourselves and our students can positively influence other areas of life beyond school. In the long run, small moments of awareness help teachers and students build habits that support learning, regardless of the setting.