|
 Closing
Day program focuses
on celebrations, challenges
Staff praised for their teamwork and accomplishments
The annual HFM BOCES closing day program in June was both a
happy and sad affair -- with colleagues honoring four
retirees and six co-workers who reached their
20-years-of-service mark while also pausing to remember
three members of the HFM BOCES "family" who passed away
during the school year.
HFM BOCES Board of Education President Robert Townsend
opened the program with a moment of silence to honor former
HFM BOCES board member Peter Raneri, Sr. who died in January
at the age of 94. "His love for children will be missed,"
said Mr. Townsend, noting that Mr. Raneri "made a difference
in thousands of lives over his more than 40 years' of
service."
 Both
Mr. Raneri and retiring HFM BOCES Board of Education Vice
President Josephine Watts were honored the previous evening
by the remaining HFM BOCES board members who bestowed on
them the newly created "Board of Education Legacy Award."
The Legacy Award was created to honor HFM BOCES board
members following 10 years' of service. Accepting on behalf
of Mr. Raneri was his son, Peter Raneri, Jr. (For more on
Mrs. Watts' retirement,
click here.)
Tributes were also offered to Patricia McVeigh, an
occupational therapist at HFM BOCES, who died May 27
following an
automobile accident, and John "Jack" Brewer, who served
as superintendent of the Lake Pleasant Central School
District from 1986-2007. Mr. Brewer died on June 9 at the
age of 63.
Challenges and distractions
Mr. Townsend noted that the 2007-08 school year included a
number of "challenges and distractions" -- and he praised
the administrative team for handling them "so the rest of
the organization could remain focused on your
responsibilities." Among those challenges, he said, were the
mid-year retirements of Associate Superintendent Linda
Edwards and Board Clerk Linda Newton. However, he said,
Karen Fagan and Christine Eaton have done an admirable job
taking on those respective roles.
Also resolved during the school year was a major change in
health insurance plans that will go into effect July 1.
Employees were reminded to make sure they use their new
insurance cards when seeking medical services or buying
prescriptions.
District Superintdent Dr. Geoffrey H. Davis said new state
regulations will have an impact on both HFM BOCES and its
employees, including new limitations on hiring retired
administrators to serve as interim administrators while
districts look to hire permanent employees.
Also on the horizon, he said, are changes in how employees'
optional tax-sheltered annuities are managed. HFM BOCES is
considering participating in New York State's Deferred
Compensation Plan (457) as an alternative. |
