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

Cindy Bishop (president)  rick knutsen  (Vice President)

  Caroline Jerome  JENNY JARED  RORY SMITH  Aubrey O’Neal  Faedra Dagirmanjian
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 four 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 four 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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2026 - 2027 DISTRICT Goals

Healthy and Safety - Use of Artificial Intelligence and Technology
As the administration continues its work with BOCES in a pilot program to develop sound and thoughtful policies on the safe and effective use of Artificial Intelligence in the district, the board will seek to increase engagement and knowledge in the parent and guardian community on the issues surrounding AI and tech through outreach programs. The district should move toward a clear, easy-to-understand set of districtwide expectations regarding the safe and ethical use of AI on schoolwork.

 

Culture and Climate
The Board is committed to creating and nurturing an environment in which every student is supported, engaged, and progressing on their individual path. The Board will prioritize whole-student well-being by supporting programs that meet our students where they are, and offer them the academic, extracurricular, and life-skill-building opportunities that will put them in the best position to succeed and become lifelong learners. The board will additionally support the administration’s efforts to foster a culturally responsive-sustaining education framework, which is the centerpiece of New York State’s transition to the “Portrait of a Graduate” blueprint for future graduates.

 

In-Person Learning
In an increasingly online and isolated society, being present for educational instruction, including arriving on time at the start of each school day and having daily human interaction and play is crucial. It both fosters a productive, vibrant and equitable learning environment for our students and improves their mental health, social skills, and academic development

Regular attendance is a core value of our district, which allows our students to be present for themselves and each other. The board will support and monitor the administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce absenteeism and increase in-person engagement for our students.

 

Academic
The Board supports providing robust professional development opportunities to inspire our educators and students and to ensure our teaching is following best practices in a rapidly evolving world. This includes continued support for the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Additionally, The Board commits to monitoring and improving student success by ensuring shifts in curriculum, course offerings, instruction, and professional development needed to align with Portrait of a Graduate by Fall 2027, including identifying enhanced academic growth opportunities for all students.

 

Fiscal Planning and Oversight
The Board will support the creation of an annual budget that prioritizes student needs and a long-term fiscal plan that prioritizes the continued financial health and sustainability of the district.

The Board will continue to advance the next steps in the creation of a unified K-12 central campus that is strategically planned, future-focused, financially and environmentally sustainable, and an optimal learning environment for all the students in our district. The board will strive on an ongoing basis to provide clear, understandable information to the public. The Administration will make the long-term plan available to the public and provide progress updates as they become available

 

Communication
The Board recognizes the paramount importance of developing respectful and collaborative relationships with our community partners. To that end, we will continue to partner with our BOCES consultant and district administration to implement improvements in our communications strategies. The Board and administration will communicate its priorities, report its progress on initiatives, and address community concerns in detail through presentations at our public board meetings, monthly Board Briefs, quarterly District newsletters and public events.