BOCES Team,

Your input drives change. Thank you to the 1,050 employees who participated in this year’s Employee Sentiment Survey—our highest response rate yet at 79%, up from 67% last year.

Celebrations:

• Job satisfaction: 87% of employees are happy to be part of BOCES, stayed the same.

• Fulfillment: 84% of employees find their job rewarding, up 2%

• Work environment: 67% find it positive and motivating, up 2%.

• Leadership engagement: 77% feel their manager cares about them as a person, a 4% increase.

• Work-life balance: 80% enjoy their time at work, up 4%.

• Belonging: 77% feel connected to the organization and 81% feel connected to their coworkers.

Opportunities:

• Workload and staffing: 66% find workload manageable, up from 63%, but staffing shortages and redundant tasks persist.

• Career growth: 65% feel supported in career goals, a 2% increase showing there is still work to be done.

• Decision-making: Fewer employees feel their contributions are valued—78%, down from 83%. BOCES succeeds because of you.

What’s Being Done:

• Workload and Staffing: Leadership is assessing staffing shortages and ways to streamline tasks to reduce unnecessary work.

• Communication and Visibility: Administrators are working to improve transparency, increase direct engagement, and ensure employees are informed.

• Career Growth: Efforts are underway to expand professional development opportunities and clarify pathways for advancement.

• Recognizing Contributions: We’re evaluating ways to ensure employees feel heard and valued in decision-making.

This survey is not just data—it’s a roadmap for action. Leadership is committed to continuous improvement, but lasting change happens through ongoing dialogue. Your voice shapes our future. More updates will follow as we move forward together.

Dr. Rebecca Stone

Superintendent, Broome-Tioga BOCES

Broome-Tioga BOCES Superintendent Dr. Rebecca Stone joined district superintendents from across New York State for BOCES Advocacy Day in Albany on Feb. 26. They met with lawmakers to advocate for legislative priorities that support BOCES programs and students.

Key issues included updating the BOCES aid formula to better support teacher salaries, ensuring full funding for school aid, extending exemptions for retirees working in education, and aligning lease agreements for public entities. Dr. Stone emphasized that these changes are essential to maintaining high-quality educational opportunities for students.

BOCES of NYS continues to work with legislators to secure funding and policies that strengthen education across the state.

We are 3 weeks away from the deadline to submit nominations for the 2025 Ron Dougherty Award!

Since 2002, BOCES has annually selected the one employee who best exemplifies the spirit and dedication that were the hallmarks of Mr. Dougherty’s many years of service to our schools and our community. A member of the BOCES Board of Trustees from 1976 to 2006 (its president from 1985 to 2005), Mr. Dougherty also served on the Tioga Central School board for 11 years. He is a former Tioga County legislator and past president of the Broome-Tioga School Boards Association. He also was instrumental in the formation of the Broome-Tioga Coalition for Education and in 2003 received the regional Jefferson Award.

The Ron Dougherty Award is given to the BOCES employee who embodies Mr. Dougherty’s selfless commitment and dedication to our BOCES and our community ... someone who “walks the walk” in their commitment to personal and professional growth and community involvement.

As we have each year, we invite all BOCES employees to participate in this outstanding recognition by nominating a colleague for consideration.

Attached is a nomination form for the 2025 Ron Dougherty Award. We ask that you take the time to think about the many co-workers who have inspired you with their energy, devotion, and raw talent, and then put those thoughts to paper in the form of a nomination. The winner will be announced at our annual Employee Recognition Ceremony on May 14.

Please note: Nomination forms must be submitted to Tara Adee on or before Monday, April 7. Completed forms can be emailed or sent interoffice to Human Resources/mail code ISC2.

The DEI Committee has been working to foster a stronger sense of belonging for all employees by focusing on three key areas: accessibility, training, and affinity groups.

• Accessibility: Identifying barriers that employees face in their daily work, including facility improvements and language access. New signage is being developed to help non-English speakers navigate our spaces, with options to use Google Translate or request a translator. Leadership has also been assessing the facility with the help of O&M to find areas where we can make improvements to physical barriers.

• Training Opportunities: Exploring new professional development options through the BOCES Academy to provide training on topics related to belonging and inclusion.

• Affinity Groups: Encouraging employees to build community through shared experiences. Current affinity groups include LGBTQ+IA, Living Clean and Sober, Single Parents, and Spoonies (a group for those suffering from chronic illness). If you are interested in joining or starting a group, visit the website to learn more and fill out an interest form.

Greetings from Health and Safety!

So far March has brought good things to the Health and Safety Department! We have a new Health and Safety Compliance Specialist! His name is Kollin VanZandt, and he is a recent Binghamton University Graduate who has a passion for Health and Safety. I have no doubt Kollin will bring great things to this department, and I look forward to working with him. We have been busy visiting our six component districts to get Kollin introduced to everyone and show him the vast area our program covers.

We have also been working on making sure all of our districts have up to date plans that are required under New York State regulation, such as Hazardous Communication, Chemical Hygiene and Right to Know plans. Kollin will be working on getting his Asbestos Inspector and Management Planner Certification as well as Playground Inspection Certification and Certified Code Enforcer. Next week we will attend an annual AESHP ( Association of Safety and Health Professionals ) Conference in Saratoga New York. At this Conference Kollin will get to meet our fellow Health and Safety Professionals from BOCES all across New York State. This is a very exciting time for our program!

Welcome to our BTBOCES family Kollin!

Once spring is finally here, contractors will return to the site to begin the Building Fit-Out phase, which involves completing the interior and preparing the facility for its intended use. Unfortunately, the electric will not be hooked up until August, but we anticipate being ready to go for the start of the school year. Stayed tuned for information about a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Reminder that contractors will be doing some trench work over spring break (April 18 – April 27). This work will be done in sections allowing for a section of the work area to be available to be driven over. We have requested that there be a flagger on-site during this construction.

We are working through the procurement process and hope to begin demolition by the end of April.

Just a reminder that once demolition begins, contractors will be on-site to carry out the demolition and ensure the safe removal of hazardous materials. To guarantee safety during this process, contractors will wear hazmat suits, and a third-party environmental review contractor will oversee and monitor the site.

The entryways at the Central Business Office are currently being updated. They are looking really

nice!

Thank you for your continued support of this project and please let us know if you have any

questions or concerns.

The Business Office team has been working on transitioning to digital accounts payable processing and claims auditing. Right now, the team is in the testing phase but is looking forward to less paper in the future. We are hiring for a contracts coordinator, if you know someone who is interested have them apply here: Job Posting - Broome-Tioga BOCES

The CBO has been conducting an interdepartmental exercise. This exercise is being spread out amongst our monthly department meetings and has been a collaborative effort to discuss and showcase various procedures and department work! It has been wonderful to work alongside each other and share more parts of our roles with other departments at the CBO.

We are hiring for Account Clerks in our Accounts Payable department! If you or someone you know is interested, please visit the BT BOCES careers website for more information. Link is below.

The Document Services team is focused on improving efficiency and expanding our capabilities. This month, team leads will be touring the GST BOCES print shop to explore their printing operations. This visit will help us collaborate, share expertise, and identify opportunities to enhance our own services.

Over Spring Break, we will be undergoing a server update for WebCRD to ensure a smooth and reliable experience for our users. As part of this update, we need to consolidate storage space. Files that have not been printed in the last 15 months will be deleted from our system. If you have stored files you wish to keep, we encourage you to download or copy them before Spring Break to prevent data loss. There should be no service interruptions during this update.

Additionally, we are reviewing our delivery routes to improve efficiency and enhance service. By streamlining routes, we aim to provide the fastest and most reliable document delivery in the region.

We appreciate your cooperation and support as we continue to refine our processes and strengthen our services.

We hosted our annual Trades Advisory Committee Breakfast recently, and attendance was overwhelming.

Steve Moschak, principal for our Career Development Center at Broome-Tioga BOCES, which has a strong and direct connection with our community partners, said participation in the this year’s breakfast broke the previous high, with 198 in attendance.

Our keynote speaker was George Slavik, or Slavik and Co. Inc.

At the event, partners were offered a detailed overview/review CTE and Career Development Center updates activities. Afterward, the partners met in the CTE classrooms and various other locations throughout our main campus to discuss issues facing their businesses, new innovations in the field, and the possibilities of guest speakers and student internship opportunities.

Students of BOCES' New Visions Law & Government Academy put on a "Legislative Breakfast" last month, inviting local elected officials to come to Broome-Tioga BOCES to discuss education topics in New York State. Check out the story from WBNG, where they spoke to some students and instructor Ani Loew about the event:

A group of BOCES Culinary Arts students were featured by WBNG on how they were working on perfecting some unique dishes, and how they could see those dishes in local restaurants in the future. Check out the story on WBNG's website:

In February, we hosted a Farm to School Taste Test at the Harpursville Central School District, featuring a special guest. Students at W.A. Olmsted Elementary enjoyed Chopped NY Beef & Cheese Sandwiches and had the chance to meet Dan Honig, owner of Happy Meat Valley Company, which sources beef from local New York farms. More than 95% of the elementary students expressed that they loved or liked the dish! WIVT WBGH NewsChannel 34 also joined us to showcase the NY Thursday Farm to School Taste Test in our monthly segment (Click on the link below to watch the story).

The Chopped NY Beef & Cheese Sandwich was also served at Chenango Valley CSD, Maine-Endwell CSD, and Union-Endicott CSD, receiving positive feedback from students. As a result, the sandwich will be featured on the menu at the end of March and throughout the next school year. The Farm to School Taste Tests rotate across the 15 Broome-Tioga BOCES School Districts. The Broome-Tioga Farm to School Program is a partnership between the Broome-Tioga BOCES, Rural Health Network of South Central New York (Food & Health Network), and Cornell Cooperative Extension-Broome County.

The PLIC team led and co-facilitated a variety of professional learning opportunities for the region on Friday, March 14th. Highlights from each of the regional sessions are included below.

Over 50 MS and HS PE teachers convened at the Pad Climbing gym to learn more about rock climbing as a lifelong fitness opportunity. Led by Dustin Andrus and the staff at the gym, the teachers learned about bouldering, top roping, and the physical and social benefits of climbing as a lifelong fitness opportunity.

Over 50 elementary physical education teachers joined together to share promising practices in physical education instruction. Presentations were led by teachers around the region and included the following topics: Teaching health concepts in PE, spicing up your warm-ups, aerobic drumming, and teaching fitness concepts in PE. Teachers left energized and had new ideas that they could use immediately in the PE program.

Harpursville teachers of preK through sixth grade came together to learn about intensifying instruction for students who need to accelerate progress for the remainder of the school year. They brought diagnostic data to identify specific “next first step” teaching points targeted to skill needs, and to match evidence-based instructional strategies to the skill needs.

Over 30 elementary, secondary, and K-12 school librarians gathered together to share innovative lessons and student-centered programs in the school library. School librarians presented to their colleagues on a range of topics, including media literacy, elementary library research, implementing centers and escape rooms, fostering a love of lifelong learning, leveraging tech tools and podcasting for authentic student projects, and integrating new organizational methods to enhance students’ access. In the afternoon, librarians met in district teams to debrief the morning and develop next steps. Participants left with fresh ideas, new connections, and actionable steps to bring their learning back to their districts.

Over 200 Music and Art teachers gathered at Union Endicott High School for the 8th Annual Fine Arts Day. Participants engaged in over 36 breakout rooms with topics including: Games for Music Literacy, Bookmaking, AI in the Fine Arts Classroom, studies in Cubism, and Folk Dance. The keynote, provided by Tim Needles, inspired participants to enhance student opportunities to tap into their creative side. Participants left with new ideas, renewed connections, and opportunity to reflect on best practices.

Social workers and counselors from around the BT BOCES region came together for a full-day of learning at the Binghamton University Downtown Center. They had opportunities to learn more about Wellness, mindfulness, bridging sensory modulation and SEL, Solution Focused Brief Therapy and more. This professional learning opportunity was a partnership between the Family Violence Prevention Council of Broome County, Binghamton University, and BT BOCES. Dodie Ainslie, Sarah DeLarco, and Mackenzie Kollar from the PLIC team were session presenters.

Earlier this winter, several staff of the SCRIC conducted a cybersecurity tabletop exercise at Sherburne-Earlville Central School District. This was no ordinary tabletop; two teams competed in the Game of CIRP (Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan), answering questions and thinking through scenarios in a race to the finish. District staff learned how to navigate potential cybersecurity events in a fun and informative way to be prepared for anything that comes their way.

Christina Ormsby- Promoted from Software Support Specialist to Associate Coordinator- Managed Services

Did you know that there is now a new chat support channel rolled out for BT BOCES in ServiceNow?

In addition to calling the SCRIC Technical Assistance Center or submitting a ticket, users will now have access to a new chat interface in ServiceNow. To use this feature, simply click on the “Chat” button in the bottom right corner of the ServiceNow portal and follow the prompts. You can choose from existing topics or ask a question to get results from the extensive Knowledge Base.

If you prefer not to use the chat option, you can still open a self-service support ticket or call the SCRIC Service Desk directly at (607) 766-3800 to speak with a support agent.

The Communications and Public Relations Department has been busy over the past month, continuing its work to support school districts with strategic messaging, crisis planning, and public engagement.

Last month, our team conducted a crisis communication tabletop exercise, guiding participants through a simulated drill involving an anonymous online threat directed at a school district. These exercises help districts prepare for real-life emergencies by testing response plans, strengthening coordination, and ensuring clear communication during critical moments.

We also submitted several entries to the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) contest, which recognizes excellence in school communications across the country. These awards highlight the outstanding work being done to inform and engage school communities.

In addition to crisis planning and national recognition, our department remained active in day-to-day communications, creating 800 Facebook posts across the districts we serve. These posts help keep families informed, celebrate student and staff achievements, and share important updates.

As we move into the spring, our team continues to focus on supporting districts with strategic storytelling, crisis readiness, and community engagement.

In the fast-paced world of education, staying organized and managing time effectively is crucial for both school administrators and teachers. With the right tools and techniques, you can transform your daily routine and boost productivity. Below are five must-know Outlook Calendar tricks that will help you streamline your schedule, enhance collaboration, and ensure you never miss an important event. Get ready to take your time management skills to the next level!

1. Color-Coding Events: Use different colors to categorize events. For example, you can use one color for classes, another for meetings, and another for deadlines. This makes it easier to quickly identify the type of event at a glance.

1. Open your Outlook Calendar.

2. Click on an event you want to color-code.

3. In the event window, look for the "Categorize" button (usually represented by a colored square).

4. Choose a color category from the list or create a new one by selecting "All Categories" and then "New."

2. Scheduling Assistant: Use the Scheduling Assistant feature to find the best time for meetings. This tool shows the availability of all participants, making it easier to schedule meetings without conflicts.

1. Open a new meeting request by clicking "New Meeting" in the Calendar view.

2. Add the required attendees in the "To" field.

3. Click on the "Scheduling Assistant" tab.

4. You'll see a grid showing the availability of all attendees. Adjust the meeting time based on their availability.

3. Recurring Events: Set up recurring events for regular classes or meetings. This saves time and ensures that these events are consistently added to your calendar without having to manually input them each time.

1. Open a new event or meeting request.

2. Click on the "Recurrence" button in the event window.

3. Set the recurrence pattern (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) and specify the start and end dates.

4. Save the event, and it will automatically appear on your calendar according to the recurrence pattern.

4. Sharing Calendars: Share your calendar with colleagues or students. This can help with transparency and coordination, allowing others to see your availability and schedule meetings accordingly.

1. In the Calendar view, click on "Share Calendar" in the ribbon.

2. Choose the calendar you want to share.

3. Enter the email addresses of the people you want to share with.

4. Set the permission level (e.g., "Can view all details," "Can edit," etc.).

5. Click "Send" to share your calendar.

5. Reminders and Notifications: Set reminders and notifications for important events. This ensures you never miss a meeting or deadline. You can customize the timing of these reminders to suit your needs.

1. Open an event or meeting request.

2. Look for the "Reminder" dropdown menu in the event window.

3. Choose the time before the event when you want to receive a reminder (e.g., 15 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day).

4. Save the event, and you'll receive a notification at the specified time.

By incorporating these Outlook Calendar tips into your daily routine, you'll find yourself more organized, efficient, and ready to tackle the challenges of the school year with confidence.

Credit: Microsoft Copilot assisted with compiling some of the contents of this article.