BOE Activities
Welcome to the Board of Education event page.
Please watch for updates.
Board Members Take Advantage of Online Learning
Throughout the pandemic, Board members have been taking advantage of online learning opportunities through NYSSBA and the JLSBA. NYSSBA hosted many webinars on pandemic-related issues throughout the spring. In addition, a representative of the Board attended the NYSSBA Summer Law Virtual Conference, and 2 representatives attended the 2020 NYSSBA Virtual Annual Conference, held over multiple dates in October. Information learned from these events that can help our school district is shared with other Board members and the administration.
Board Member recognized as a member of 20 Under 40
Natalie Hurley, Board Member and Master Teacher, was recognized by the Watertown Daily Times as a member of the 20 Under 40 class for this year. These are young professionals who are selected for their leadership, success in their careers, and for volunteering and giving back to their communities.
Board Officers Training
President Kelly Milkowich and Vice President Sandra Young Klindt both attended the NYSSBA Board Officers Training held virtually on September 25th. Various presenters from NYSSBA shared best practices for performing the duties of board officers.
Jefferson-Lewis School Boards Association Workshop
Representatives of the Board, along with Assistant Superintendent Lisa Smith, attended a seminar on November 13th about school funding. The complexities and politics of the NYS Foundation Aid formula were discussed. In addition, important considerations were shared about PILOTs, the tax cap, and long range planning for school districts.
JLSBA Fall Dinner Meeting
On September 19th, a representative of the Board, along with Asst. Superintendent Lisa Smith, attended a presentation by Dominic D’Imperio, Director of the Office of Labor Relations and Legal Services at Jeff-Lewis BOCES. He discussed First Amendment considerations for schools as it pertains to students, employees, and the community.
New York State School Boards Association Annual Conference 2019
A representative of the Board attended the 2019 NYSSBA Annual Conference in Rochester on October 24-26. Information from schools around the state and experts from around the country was brought back to share with the rest of the Board and leadership team.
New Board Member Training
Tiffany S. Orcesi has completed the NYS Mandated Training for new board members through NYSSBA in Niagara Falls, NY, on August 23 & 24, 2019. The training included GOV 101: New School Board Member Academy and FIS 101: Fiscal Oversight Fundamentals.
Jeff- Lewis School Board Association Annual Meeting
On May 15th, representatives of the Board, along with Superintendent Barbara Case and Asst. Superintendent Lisa Smith, attended the JLSBA Annual Meeting. Regent Elizabeth Hakanson was the keynote speaker. She fielded questions and concerns from our area school districts. In addition, our own Board Vice President Natalie Hurley was voted in as Secretary/Treasurer of the Jeff-Lewis School Board Associaton. As a member of the leadership team, she will help develop the local continuing education programs for our area school boards over the next year.
National Honor Society Recognition Night
On April 11th, a representative of the Board, along with Superintendent Case and Ms. Karandy, attended the Jeff-Lewis School Boards Association recognition night at Watertown High School. All of the area's graduating seniors who are members of the National Honor Society were recognized for their academic achievements. Max DelSignore, Assistant Director of the Northern New York Community Foundation, gave a presentation on expressing gratitude. He encouraged the students to recognize and give thanks to people who help them, and to always look for ways to give back to their communities.
Jefferson-Lewis School Boards Association Workshop
Representatives of the Board attended a seminar on March 28th about ways to improve student engagement. Several local districts shared their initiatives with student directed IEPs as well as PBIS. This led to a lively dialogue and sharing of ideas among attendees to bring back to their own districts.
Jefferson-Lewis School Board Association Legislative Breakfast
Representatives of the Board, along with Superintendent Case and Mrs. Smith, attended the advocacy breakfast on March 8. Assemblyman Mark Walczyk, as well as representatives from Senator Ritchie’s and Representative Stefanik’s offices, were there to listen to education and funding concerns from their constituents. This allows them to better advocate for us in Albany and Washington, D.C.
Jefferson-Lewis School Boards Association Dinner
Representatives of the Board, along with Mrs. Smith, attended a seminar on February 5th about the JANUS decision and how it affects districts. Dominic D'Imperio, Esq., Director of the Office of Inter-Municipal Legal Services at Jeff-Lewis BOCES, presented the legal history and potential implications of the decision.
School Board Governance Training
School Board Member Kelly Milkowich, has completed the NYS Mandated School Board Governance Training to include “Essentials of School Board Governance”, as well as NYS Mandated School Board Fiscal Oversight Training to include “Fiscal Oversight Fundamentals”.
New York State School Boards Association Annual Conference 2018
Representatives of the Board attended the 2018 NYSSBA Annual Conference in New York City on October 25-27. Information from schools around the state and experts from around the country was brought back to share with the rest of the Board and leadership team.
JLSBA Fall Dinner Meeting
On September 27th, representatives of the Board, along with Superintendent Case, attended a presentation on the new Mental Health Education Law. Michelle DeOcampo, Special Projects Coordinator for the Mental Health Association in NYS, gave an overview of the law that makes NY the first state to mandate mental health education in schools. She emphasized that it is focusing on mental health as wellness, not illness, and includes teaching positive coping skills, relationship skills, and responsible decision making.
Educating the Class of 2030
On September 14th, a representative of the Board attended a NYSSBA workshop on educating students for the jobs of tomorrow. Commissioner Mary Ellen Elia, Bill Daggett, and representatives from IBM and Microsoft stressed how the world in 2030, when our current first graders will graduate high school, will look very different from today due to great advances in technology. They stressed how our curriculum will need to foster creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, and our students will need to be constant learners in order to be prepared for future jobs. They demonstrated a variety of up and coming technology, and shared some resources for teachers.
Jeff- Lewis School Board Association Annual Meeting
On May 30th, representatives of the Board attended the JLSBA Annual Meeting. Regent Elizabeth Hakanson was the keynote speaker. She discussed that changes to the APPR have been made, as well as in accounting for instruction time in hours instead of the traditional 180 days. She also fielded questions and concerns from our area school districts.
Board Member Recognized
At the May 7th Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Case presented Board of Education member, Natalie Hurley, with a Certificate of Achievement Award in recognition of her participation in New York State School Boards Association leadership development training Level 1 for 2018. Recognition is given to school board members who continually strive to enhance their knowledge and skills of school board governance. Congratulations to Ms. Hurley!
National Honor Society Recognition Night
On March 28th, a representative of the Board, along with Mrs. Case, Ms. Donaldson, and Ms. Karandy, attended the Jeff-Lewis School Boards Association recognition night at Watertown High School. All of the area's graduating seniors who are members of the National Honor Society were recognized for their academic achievements. Dr. Manoj Vora, a physician from Lowville, was the keynote speaker. He detailed his successful journey to climb the highest mountain on each of the 7 continents and encouraged students to follow their dreams.
Jefferson-Lewis School Board Association Legislative Breakfast
Representatives of the Board, along with Mrs. Case and Mrs. Smith attended the advocacy breakfast on February 2nd. Assemblywoman Jenne, as well as representatives from Senator Ritchie’s and Representative Stefanik’s offices, were there to listen to education and funding concerns from their constituents.
Jefferson-Lewis School Boards Association Workshop
Representatives of the Board, along with Mrs. Case and Mrs. Smith, attended a seminar on January 25th about advocating for our district during the state budget process. A representative from NYSSBA detailed some of the proposals being considered during this state budget cycle and what we could do to advocate for public education.
JLSBA Workshop
Representatives of the Board, along with Mrs. Moesel and Mrs. Smith, attended the JLSBA workshop on November 29th. Nathan Lehman, communications specialist with Jeff-Lewis BOCES, and administrators from other districts in the area shared ways to use social media to reach out to our communities.
JLSBA Fall Dinner Meeting
Mrs. Moesel, Mrs. Smith and a representative of the Board attended the Jeff-Lewis School Board Association meeting on November 1st. The presentation was on the need for a capital project in our BOCES buildings for overdue maintenance, energy efficiency, and ADA compliance. Since BOCES is an educational cooperative, the buildings are owned collectively by the 18 component districts for use by all of our students, so any project will need approval by a majority of the voters in the districts. Steve Todd, our BOCES District Superintendent, shared that there has been no capital project since 1969 when the buildings were built. If approved by the BOCES Board, a vote will be held, likely next spring.
School Board Governance Training
School Board Member Al Romano Jr., has completed the NYS Mandated School Board Governance Training to include “Essentials of School Board Governance”, as well as NYS Mandated School Board Fiscal Oversight Training to include “Fiscal Oversight Fundamentals”.
New York State School Boards Association Annual Conference
Representatives of the Board attended the 2017 NYSSBA Annual Conference in Lake Placid on October 12-14. Information from schools around the state and experts from around the country was brought back to share with the rest of the Board.
Board Member recognized as Master Teacher
Natalie Hurley was recognized as one of this year's Master Teachers by NYS. These 214 teachers in STEM fields are recognized for being active in and beyond their classrooms. She will engage in peer mentoring and teacher training over the next 4 years. Ms. Hurley is a math teacher at Indian River.
Jefferson-Lewis School Boards Association Workshop
Representatives of the Board, along with Mrs. Moesel, attended the JLSBA workshop on September 21st given by Barry Entwistle from the NYS School Boards Association. The discussion was on ways to strengthen the working relationship between a Superintendent and their School Board to help advance student achievement.
Jeff- Lewis School Board Association Annual Meeting
On May 18th, Superintendent Morrison, Lisa Smith, and a representative of the Board attended the JLSBA Annual Meeting. Regent Elizabeth Hakanson was the keynote speaker. She shared that the revised ESSA plan, with feedback from teachers, administrators and parents, will go to the Governor for review in June. She also fielded questions and concerns from our area school districts.
Board Member Recognized
Sandra Young Klindt received the Board Mastery Award from the NYS School Board Association for participating in leadership development opportunities totaling 250 points through NYSSBA.
Jefferson-Lewis School Boards Association Dinner with the Commissioner of Education
On April 10th, a representative of the Board, along with Superintendent Morrison and Mrs. Smith, attended a presentation by Commissioner MaryEllen Elia on the recent history and upcoming changes in education in NYS. She stressed that thoughtful, appropriate changes will be made to the curriculum and testing in NY and that there is extensive involvement from teachers in guiding these changes.
National Honor Society Recognition Night
On March 29th, a representative of the Board, along with Superintendent Morrison, Mrs. Donaldson, and Mrs. LaSage, attended the Jeff-Lewis School Boards Association recognition night at Watertown High School. All of the area's graduating seniors who are members of the National Honor Society were recognized for their academic achievements. Erin Hamlin, who has won Olympic and World medals in luge, was the guest speaker. She shared her story of growing up in Remsen, NY, and achieving her dream of competing at the world level.
Jefferson-Lewis School Boards Association Workshop “Sharing Services”
A representative of the Board, along with Mrs. Smith, attended a panel discussion on March 22nd about shared services. Superintendents and administrators from area districts discussed innovative ways that school districts have found to save money and present more opportunities to students through working with neighboring districts and sharing some other costs with municipalities.
Jefferson-Lewis School Boards Association Workshop “Launch-a-Leader”
On February 2nd, a representative of the Board, along with Mrs. Smith and other members of the administrative team, attended a workshop called “Launch-a-Leader”. Administrators from area schools, professors from the administrator development programs, and local politicians gave advice to Board members and potential school leaders on how to encourage future leaders and strengthen our own leadership skills.
Jefferson-Lewis School Board Association Legislative Breakfast
A representative of the Board, along with Mrs. Morrison and Mrs. Smith attended the advocacy breakfast on December 2nd. Assemblywoman Jenne, as well as representatives of Senator Ritchie’s and Representative Stefanik’s offices, were there to listen to education and funding concerns from their constituents.
Jefferson-Lewis School Board Association Workshop
A representative of the Board, along with Mrs. Morrison, attended the JLSBA workshop on November 30th given by Dr. Rick Timbs, Executive Director of the Statewide School Finance Consortium. The upcoming forecast for State Aid for the 2017-18 school year was presented, along with suggestions for ways to advocate for our schools with our elected representatives.
Administrative Student Presentation
Representatives of the Board, along with Mrs. Morrison and other members of the administrative team, attended a presentation at JCC on November 29th. Teachers who are working on their administrative coursework gave a presentation on possible programs that could be brought to General Brown.
Jefferson-Lewis School Board Association Workshop
A representative of the Board, along with Mrs. Morrison and other school representatives, attended a session October 26th to give input on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The State Education Department is looking to revise some parts of ESSA and held regional meetings to gather feedback from districts.
Jefferson-Lewis School Board Association Fall Dinner Meeting
A representative of the Board, along with Mrs. Morrison, attended the JLSBA meeting on September 22, 2016. Mr. John Warneck gave an update on the Tri-County Energy Consortium, where a group of schools and municipalities are coming together in a purchase agreement for solar energy. General Brown has become a member of the consortium, which should realize cost savings on our energy purchasing.
Board Member Recognized
Sandra Young Klindt received the Board Excellence Award from the NYS School Board Association for participating in several leadership development opportunities through NYSSBA in 2015.
JLSBA Honor Society Recognition Ceremony
A representative of the Board, along with Mrs. Morrison and Ms. Lane, attended the Jeff-Lewis School Board Association recognition ceremony at Watertown High School on March 23rd. The seniors who are in the National Honor Society were recognized for their achievements.
National School Boards Association Annual Conference
A representative of the Board, at no cost to the district, attended the 2016 NSBA Annual Conference in Boston on April 9-10. Information from schools around the country was brought back to share with the rest of the Board.
Meet the New Regent
On April 20th, a representative of the Board attended an Open House at BOCES to meet our area's new Regent at the State Education Department. Regent Elizabeth Hakanson came to Jefferson County to introduce herself to the educational community.
Jeff-Lewis School Boards Association Workshop
On May 11, a representative of the Board attended a workshop given by Trooper Xaymara Morales of the New York State Police. The discussion centered on the effects of social media, online bullying, and drug use among teens.
Jeff-Lewis School Boards Association Annual Meeting
A representative of the Board attended the JLSBA Annual meeting on May 19th. Regent Elizabeth Hakanson fielded questions from school board members and administrators on the future of education in NYS, including possible changes to APPR, student testing, and preparation of new teachers in college.