Board Update
Highlights
January 2026
Mr. Michael Rullo to serve as Interim District Superintendent On October 21, the Sullivan BOCES Board of Education officially appointed Mr. Michael Rullo as Interim District Superintendent, effective January 1, 2026. This appointment follows the retirement of Dr. Robert M. Dufour on December 31, 2025.
Michael Rullo
In accordance with New York State Education Department protocols, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa designated Mr. Rullo to serve in this interim capacity. As the current District Superintendent of the Delaware-ChenangoMadison-Otsego (DCMO) BOCES, Mr. Rullo brings an extensive background in rural education leadership and strategic planning that aligns seamlessly with the mission of Sullivan BOCES. To ensure continuity during this interim period, the Board has also appointed Ms. Susan Schmidt as Chief Operating Officer. In this role, she will manage the dayto-day operations of the BOCES – a responsibility she has successfully navigated during previous District Superintendent vacancies. Together, Mr. Rullo and Ms. Schmidt will work closely with the Board of Education to maintain the organization’s goals and support component districts throughout this transition.
Sullivan BOCES Celebrates 75 Years!
On November 25, 2025, Sullivan BOCES celebrated 75 years of service, innovation, and commitment to students, educators, and the Sullivan County community. The celebration at SUNY Sullivan brought together local leaders, school representatives, and community partners to honor this milestone. Culinary students from BOCES and SUNY Sullivan teamed up to create a reception that showcased hands-on, career-focused learning. True to its mission, Sullivan BOCES also gave back. Proceeds from the commemorative journal were donated to the BOCES Backpack Program, providing food support to students in need. Thanks to sponsors and SUNY Sullivan, a $3,000 donation helped feed more than 50 families this holiday season. For generations, BOCES has been a place where students explore their passions, educators find support, and communities benefit from a shared commitment to helping every learner succeed.
Sullivan BOCES | 15 Sullivan Avenue Suite 1W, Liberty, New York 12754 | (845) 295-4000 | scboces.org
Classroom News PBIS Spotlight - Safety Seekers As part of our PBIS initiative, our Safety Seekers were recognized for leading by example. One student from each elementary class was honored for demonstrating a commitment to safety through responsible choices, looking out for others, and speaking up when needed.
Fifth Graders Take on the Catch My Breath Program Fifth-grade elementary students participated in a Sullivan 180 program called Catch My Breath, an anti-vaping initiative. To kick off the program, students took part in an Escape Room challenge and had a great time!
Students Take Flight: Building Their Own Model Planes Students learned about different types of vehicles as they wrapped up their unit on airplanes. To conclude the lesson, they built their own model planes, with staff assisting as they used tools such as hammers and screwdrivers, gaining hands-on experience in construction and engineering concepts.
Exploring Ancient Egypt Through Forensic Science Elementary students became forensic archaeologists as they conducted a CSI-style investigation into the mysterious death of King Tut. They meticulously examined evidence surrounding his mummy and, through a hands-on experiment, learned about ancient Egyptian preservation methods by mummifying apples.
Sullivan BOCES | 15 Sullivan Avenue Suite 1W, Liberty, New York 12754 | (845) 295-4000 | scboces.org
Career & Tech Center INSTANT ACCEPTANCE DAY AT SUNY SULLIVAN During SUNY Sullivan’s Instant Acceptance Day at Career & Tech, student Senecere Wall-Thomas proudly announced his acceptance to SUNY Sullivan. He will be the first in his family to attend college and plans to pursue a degree in Business. SUNY Sullivan admissions staff also met with a number of CTE students, sharing information about academic programs and future opportunities.
AUTO BODY / AUTO TECH
Forty-one Auto Tech and Auto Body seniors completed their OSHA 10-hour General Safety Training. This certification is a significant asset for future employment, adding another valuable credential to their growing portfolios.
HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
Student Nursing Assistants in Health Occupations II are preparing for their clinical rotations by learning about infection control and patient care practices.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Former Natural Resources student Robert Orr of Hammer Hydraulics and former Welding student Jacob Halloran worked with the AM and PM Natural Resources classes to remove two faulty hydraulic cylinders. They demonstrated how to disassemble the cylinders, complete a full rebuild, and reinstall them.
Sullivan BOCES | 15 Sullivan Avenue Suite 1W, Liberty, New York 12754 | (845) 295-4000 | scboces.org
2026-27 Budget Development There are three components to the BOCES budget: administrative, capital/rental and programs/services. Annually, local boards of education review their district’s needs and make decisions about BOCES services. As districts’ needs change every year, decisions to purchase specific BOCES services also vary from year to year. The information each school district provides in its Initial Services Request response is critical to the BOCES budget development process.
Administrative Budget (Voted)
Capital & Rental Budget (Not Voted)
Program/Service Budget (Not Voted)
Three Components of the BOCES Budget
Administrative
Capital/Rental
Program/Service
Each year, the BOCES collaborates Similar to a school district, the The administrative budget supports with its component districts to BOCES has capital needs, including the cost of the BOCES board of establish coser offerings and but not limited to roof replacements, education and central offices, approve the cost methodology for sitework, building renovations, including the district each program and service. A infrastructure upgrades and other superintendent, the business office BOCES program budget is similar capital project work that and human resources. The law also different from a school district districts face. In addition, based on requires that all Other Postbudget because each coser must program needs and limited space on Employment Benefits (OPEB cover all of its operating expenses its main campus, the BOCES rents retiree’s health insurance & and generate its own revenues. additional classrooms in order to Medicare reimbursements) be Essentially, the BOCES has over accommodate program needs due to included in the administrative forty mini budgets that are increases in enrollment. This is budget. This is another difference developed based on the needs of from a school district budget, in that particularly true for Career & Tech the participating districts. programs based on the surge in CTE the OPEB costs are included in a enrollment over the last few years. component district’s health insurance line items.
Key Dates April 15, 2026 - BOCES Annual Meeting April 28, 2026 - BOCES Board Member Election & Budget Vote Sullivan BOCES | 15 Sullivan Avenue Suite 1W, Liberty, New York 12754 | (845) 295-4000 | scboces.org