Board Update
Highlights
BOCES Welcomes New Board Members
April 2025
On April 22, the school boards voted on the slate of BOCES Board members. Incumbents Jackie Rutledge (Sullivan West CSD) and Keith Stryker (Tri-Valley CSD) were re-elected to the BOCES Board. The Board also welcomes three new members: Erin Abplanalp (Liberty CSD), Amador Laput (Eldred CSD), and Allyson Smith (At-Large, Rockland CSD)
Ms Abplanalp will serve the remainder of the three-year term, previously held by the late Anthony Sinacore (Liberty CSD), who had served on the Board since 2000 Mr Laput will complete the remaining year of Carol Bliefernich’s term (Eldred CSD) Ms Bliefernich will retire from the BOCES Board at the end of June
With the consolidation of the Livingston Manor and Roscoe CSDs, the Sullivan BOCES Board decided to remain a nine-member board of education to allow for the widest possible representation from its school districts. This decision allows for two At-Large seats on the BOCES Board. Beginning July 1, Linda Fisk, incumbent BOCES Board member from Livingston Manor CSD, will represent the Rockland CSD, and Allyson Smith has been elected At-Large member of the BOCES Board.
Board member Carol Park (Roscoe CSD) will also retire from the BOCES Board as of June 30. Both Ms. Park and Ms. Bliefernich have been dedicated members of the Board, and their many years of service are deeply appreciated. Sullivan BOCES is honored to have had such committed individuals contributing to its mission.
Sullivan BOCES 2025–26 Administrative Budget Approved
The Sullivan BOCES 2025–26 Administrative Budget, totaling $3.7 million, was unanimously approved by the BOCES’ component school boards on April 22. This unanimous support reflects a strong commitment to shared educational services and collaborative planning across Sullivan County.
Sullivan BOCES is grateful to its component districts for their continued support This partnership plays a vital role in helping BOCES deliver quality, cost-effective programs and services that benefit students, educators, and the broader community
The approval of the budget ensures that BOCES can continue to meet the evolving educational needs of our county while fostering innovation, efficiency, and student success
Allyson Smith
Amador Laput
Erin Abplanalp
Classroom News
Classroom Contributors Demonstrate PBIS Expectations
For the month of March, one student from each elementary class was selected for demonstrating the PBIS expectation: Classroom Contributor. These students went above and beyond in showing responsibility, participating actively, supporting their peers, and helping create a positive learning environment. BOCES was proud to recognize their efforts and celebrate the example they set for others.
Inspiring Kindness and Mindfulness
The Steam Fund brought an engaging and meaningful assembly to our elementary students. The students had a wonderful time learning about the Golden Rule and the importance of mindfulness in daily life. Programs like these inspire kindness, respect, and self-awareness in our students every day!
iTAP Students Power Up Creativity with Ozobot Robots
Students in the iTAP program recently finished a unit on energy and robots. Using Ozobots, the students designed and programmed robots with specific attributes and then wrote a story about their robots.
ELA Students Honor Heroes at Purple Heart Hall of Honor
English Language Arts students visited the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, NY, where they learned about soldiers who received the Purple Heart award. During their visit, students were given questions about service members who had received the Purple Heart and searched for answers as they explored the museum.
They experienced a hands-on timeline of military uniforms, learning the purpose behind each variation including differences in footwear Students had the opportunity to try on uniforms from the Civil War through the Afghanistan War
Career & Tech Center
CTE students played a major role in making the Sullivan BOCES Annual Meeting a success. Culinary Arts students prepared and served delicious food, while Animal Science students proudly showcased their animals. Natural Resources and Welding students shared highlights of their programs, giving attendees a firsthand look at their hands-on learning. Broadcasting/Music Production students set the tone for the evening with their music, and students from various other programs contributed by creating thoughtful raffle gifts. Their involvement highlighted the talent, teamwork, and real-world skills being developed across the CTE programs
CTE students from every program are competing in the Statewide SkillsUSA competition on April 23-25
Businesses across Sullivan County will participate in the Career & Tech Job Fair on April 30
Animal Science
Animal Science students are gaining hands-on experience this spring as they care for a variety of animals and witness the miracle of new life From feeding and grooming to assisting with the arrival of newborns, students are actively involved in every step of the process.
Natural Resources students have been getting their hands dirty with some major projects repairing the sprockets on a bulldozer, fixing a trailer, and installing a new set of tracks on the skid steer. These tasks give students valuable hands-on experience and a taste of hard work and teamwork!
Welding
Natural Resources
Our welding students took on an exciting project: rebuilding a go-kart from the ground up. From fabricating the frame to refining the details, they’re applying their skills in a hands-on, creative challenge that pushes their technical abilities in a fun and engaging way.
Food Services
Supporting School Nutrition Through Our Food Service Coser
The Sullivan BOCES Shared Food Service Management Coser offers comprehensive support to districts by overseeing all aspects of school nutrition programs. Services include expert menu planning that aligns with state and federal guidelines, integration of farm-to-table initiatives using locally sourced ingredients, and a strong focus on providing nutritious, appealing meals to students. The food service management team actively engages with stakeholders including students and district staff to gather feedback on current menu offerings and incorporate suggestions into future planning, ensuring continuous improvement and satisfaction across the school community.
OCES is excited to introduce Michael Weintraub as the newest member of the chool Lunch management team. Michael brings valuable experience in food ervice operations and a passion for serving healthy meals that fuel student learning. n his role, he will work closely with participating districts to improve meal rograms, support kitchen staff, and keep menus both nutritious and appealing.
he team recently participated in a week-long Food Service Managers Training and Workshop aimed at strengthening their collective efforts to help ensure consistency n information and menu planning The training also focused on aligning efforts across participating districts and Sullivan BOCES, with the goal of elevating all food service programs through shared knowledge and collaboration
Please join us in welcoming Michael to the team as we continue our commitment to healthy, studentcentered nutrition across Sullivan County!
Key Dates
May 15 - Sullivan County Valedictorian Recognition th May 22nd - Career & Tech National Technical Honor Society Induction
June 4 - Academic Achievement Luncheon th
June 5th - BOCES Sixth Grade Stepping Up Ceremony (Tentative)
June 5th - Career & Tech Awards Ceremony
June 6th - BOCES Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony (Tentative)
June 13th - Middle School Science Fair
June 24th - Career & Tech Recognition Ceremony
June 25th - Alternative / Special Education Graduation
Michael Weintraub