The Onteora Schools Board of Education
consists of seven ELECTED OR APPOINTED TRUSTEES

Emily Sherry (president)   Cindy Bishop (Vice president)  
Valerie Storey  Meghann reimondo   sarah hemingway lynch  
Please Select any board members name for their biography

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Board of Education Responsibilities

THE BOARD MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO SET POLICIES THAT GOVERN THE EDUCATION OF ALL CHILDREN ATTENDING THE DISTRICT'S FIVE SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE DISTRICT.

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THESE RESPONSIBLE INCLUDE: ESTABLISHING POLICY; DEFINING DISTRICT PRIORITIES AND GOALS; MONITORING AND EVALUATING PROGRESS; APPROVING CONTRACTS, BONDS AND THE ANNUAL BUDGET; AND SELECTING AND EVALUATING THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

DEFINING PRIORITIES AND GOALS

In collaboration with the Administration, the Board defines annual District priorities and establishes specific goals, rationale and expected outcomes. It delegates to the Superintendent of Schools (the District's chief executive officer and educational leader) the authority to develop, operate and manage the educational programs to meet these goals.

MONITORING AND EVALUATING PROGRESS

The Superintendent and Central Administration regularly update the Board on progress towards goals, and Board meetings and study sessions are often devoted to presentations highlighting work in specific areas.

APPROVING CONTRACTS, BONDS AND THE ANNUAL BUDGET

The Board guides negotiations with the District’s five bargaining units and approves all final collective bargaining agreements and employment contracts, as well as vendor contracts.

The Superintendent, with some guidance from the Board and in concert with his/her staff, prepares and presents a recommended budget to the Board. After discussion and input from the community, the Board is responsible for approving a final budget to be presented for a community vote. The Board strives to approve a budget that effectively balances costs with maintaining Onteora's high instructional standards for students and staff.

SELECTING AND EVALUATING THE SUPERINTENDENT

Perhaps the most critical responsibility of a Board of Education is to select and evaluate the Superintendent. The Board provides regular feedback and a formal annual review.

SERVING ON COMMITTEES AND AS LIAISONS

Each board member serves on a number of committees, as well as a liaison to District schools and community groups. Click here for a list of committee assignments and liaison positions. 

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2022 - 2023 Board of Education Goals

1. Support the development of the District’s long-term, district-wide plan that addresses current challenges and opportunities that have already been identified, including declining enrollment, staff shortages, facilities needs, budget, student achievement, community impact, and the expansion of the middle school to add sixth graders. The Board acknowledges that additional challenges and opportunities will likely be discovered throughout the exploration process. The Board aims to accomplish this through input from the Superintendent, a Board ad hoc committee, the Shared Decision-Making committee, PTA’s as well as clear and consistent community outreach. In the next year, the Board plans to accomplish: Forming a Board ad hoc committee, holding at least one public meeting to discuss the District’s long-term plan, reviewing the Building Utilization and Grade Configuration Study by Dr. Kevin S. Baughman, and requesting at least one progress report from the Superintendent.

2. Support ongoing District initiatives that foster a positive culture and climate, including improving communications with our community, teaching students and staff about diversity, prioritizing the mental health of students and staff, advancing restorative justice training and practices, and continuing advocacy for more affordable housing, Universal Pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds, food security, and access to broadband service and cellular phone coverage.

Resolution Approved October 25, 2022