BOCES Team,

This year, we introduced a new framework to guide our work and measure our progress as an organization. It’s built on four key areas:

• Service: Student/Customer Service and Responsiveness- Deliver high-quality support and solutions to school districts and the community.
  

• Employee Engagement and Development- Foster a workplace where employees feel valued, heard, and motivated.

• Innovation and Collaboration- Encourage creative solutions and teamwork across departments and districts.

• Process Improvement and Efficiency- Streamline operations, reduce waste, and optimize resources.

These four frames provide a structure for setting goals, identifying challenges, and tracking our growth. At the heart of this work is our shared commitment to a growth mindset, the belief that our abilities and systems can improve with effort, feedback, and reflection.

One of the most valuable tools we have in this process is your voice. Your feedback through the 2025 employee sentiment survey helped shape this year’s organizational focus on employee engagement and development. Each department has set one goal in this area, specific to their team and the work they do.

This is the first year we are taking this structured, organization-wide approach. Some goals will be met. Others may need a little or a lot more work. These are not considered failures; it’s feedback. When we understand what didn’t work, we gain insight into where more support is needed and how to adjust moving forward. Departments are encouraged to repeat or revise goals as needed next year.

These goals are not currently for external reporting. They are still a work in progress and are part of our internal toolkit designed to help us measure and reflect on our own progress and to see the connection between our everyday work and the overall health of our organization.

Thank you for being part of this important first step. Your contributions are helping to build a stronger, more responsive, and more supportive Broome-Tioga BOCES.

Dr. Rebecca Stone

Superintendent, Broome-Tioga BOCES

On April 9, Broome-Tioga BOCES hosted its Annual Meeting, welcoming district superintendents and board members from across the region to learn more about the programs and services we offer.

The highlight of the evening was our students. From Oak Tree and the Work Experience Program to CTE, New Visions, Culinary Arts, and Special Olympics—students shared how their experiences at BOCES are helping them build skills, gain confidence, and prepare for life after graduation.

We're proud to provide real opportunities for students to explore their passions and plan for bright futures. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special night.

For the month of April, we will be conducting Asbestos triennial reinspections in all of our districts. Under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response ACT (AHERA), which was passed in 1986, schools were mandated to identify and manage asbestos-containing materials (ACM) to prevent health risks. The key requirements involve identifying asbestos-containing material through an initial inspection with six-month periodic inspections following every year thereafter. Every three years, a triennial reinspection must occur. Schools must develop and implement asbestos management plans to address ACMs, and they must also take appropriate actions, such as encapsulation or removal, to address asbestos hazards. An annual notification needs to be sent out by the district informing staff and parents regarding the availability of the Asbestos Management Plan and any response actions taken in the plan.

Lisa Knewasser was promoted to Health and Safety Compliance Specialist 1

We are proud to introduce our new Q-ware system for inputting work tickets.

This new system is designed to streamline our operations and improve efficiency.

You can access the Q-ware application on the BT BOCES My Apps dashboard.

To assist you in navigating this new system, we have also created a short instructional video on how to create a work ticket.

The video can be found on the BOCES Academy portal.

All staff have been enrolled in the course, but there is no requirement to take it.

The course should show as an optional course under their "my courses tab" called "BT:Operations and Maintenance"

Below are directions to locate the video.

Additionally, I have included the direct links below:

Q-ware software:

https://qware.app/#/login/BROOMETIOGABOCES

Work ticket tutorial:

https://btboces.brightspace.com/d2l/home/7256

As we transition from our old Schooldude system to the new Q-ware system, both systems will run concurrently until July 1, 2025.

This will provide ample time for everyone to familiarize themselves with the new Q-Ware system. After July 1, 2025, Schooldude will cease to function.

We believe that this new system will greatly enhance our productivity, and we appreciate your cooperation during this transition period.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Contractors are working on completing the interior, and the anticipated completion date is June 30 (without electric). Our site contractors have contacted NYSEG, and there is a possibility that the electric will be completed by the end of July. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held on May 9 at 1 pm.

The contractors will be doing trench work over spring break (April 18 – April 27). This work will be done is sections allowing for a section of the work area to be available to be driven over (schedule below).

The demo of 409 Glenwood has an anticipated start date of April 21 and should be completed by May 21. Just a reminder that once demolition begins, contractors will be onsite to carry out the demolition and ensure the safe removal of hazardous materials. To guarantee safety during this process, contractors will wear hazmat suits, and a third-party environmental review contractor will oversee and monitor the site.

The new O&M Building has been approved by SED. Bids have been received and awarded, and we anticipate work will start April 21 (with the demo of 409 Glenwood)

Thank you for your continued support of this project, and please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

The BBO celebrated the retirement of Bruce Hartquist. The BBO got together on a brisk but sunny day for a tour of the Capital Project site which was hosted by Johnny Garcia. We appreciated seeing the tangible evidence of work coming across our desks as budget transfers, bids, RFPs, invoices, and checks were issued. Also, Jamie Thorne led the team on a tour through the Education Center, which was an eye-opening experience for our newer employees.

The CBO has been conducting an interdepartmental exercise. This exercise is being spread out amongst our monthly department meetings and has been a collaborative effort to discuss and showcase various procedures and department work! It has been wonderful to work alongside each other and share more parts of our roles with other departments at the CBO.

Kristopher Helman was promoted from Accountant to District Business Coordinator

Robin Chalachan was promoted to Accountant

Over the past month, members of Document Services visited the GST BOCES print shop to learn more about their equipment and operations. By building relationships with other BOCES print shops, our team is gaining valuable insights, sharing ideas, and finding ways to improve efficiency and innovation.

With budget season approaching, the team is in full preparation mode. Last year alone, we mailed 89,251 budget postcards and 84,442 budget newsletters—making this one of the busiest times of year for our shop.

Our team leads, Amy Tomminello, Dusty Day, and Kerry Tinder, participated in the BOCES annual meeting, where we had the chance to showcase our work to superintendents and board members. It was a great opportunity to highlight the quality and range of services we provide.

We recently hosted our annual meeting, welcoming district superintendents and board members from across the region to learn more about the programs and services we offer. The highlight of the evening was our students. From Oak Tree and the Work Experience Program, to CTE, New Visions, Culinary Arts, and Special Olympics, students shared how their experiences at BOCES are helping them build skills, gain confidence, and prepare for life after graduation.

Our students often are treated to guests in our Criminal Justice program here at Broome-Tioga BOCES. Law enforcement, military and security personnel from across our region make their way on our main campus for lectures and demonstration. Recently, two representatives from the Broome County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team – both former BOCES students – visited Don Enwistle’s CJ classes, first offering a classroom presentation, then a close look at the “Bearcat,” which is the Sheriff’s Department’s SWAT armored vehicle.

Sgt. Quy Tran was the lead speaker, as he is a graduate on our Criminal Justice program (with Entwistle his teacher when he graduated from Johnson City High School in 2011). Deputy Derek Linebaugh (Susquehanna Valley 2012) joined him, and is a BOCES graduate of the CAD (Computer-Aided Design) program.

Check out the story from WBNG below.

Recently at West Learning Center, students from each class took a break to count down to a one-minute bubble-blowing activity set aside to draw attention to autism. It's just one activity that will put a spotlight on all of April as Autism Awareness Month. Julie Hanns, Community Schools Advisor, came up with the idea, ran it by Maria Keesler, WLC principal, and now the vision is to have this event be an annual one.

Why blowing bubbles? Well, blowing bubbles for autism is an activity used during Autism Awareness Month to raise awareness, celebrate the positive aspects of autism, and promote acceptance and understanding of individuals with ASD. Bubbles symbolize joy, hope and laughter, bringing people together and highlighting the creativity, individuality, and unique talents of autistic individuals. And smiles ... did we mention the smiles?

The BT BOCES Food Service team, along with Whitney Point Food Service, catered the meal for the All Boards meeting held in Whitney Point.

Members of the PLIC's Ed Tech Team Present at the NYSCATE Southern Tier ConnectEd Conference! On March 24, the PLIC EdTechTeam traveled to the NYSCATE Southern Tier ConnectED Conference hosted at the Elmira School District. Our team of specialists presented 12 sessions for over 600 attendees. The rooms were packed with teachers and leaders learning from our team. We received great feedback on the work our team has been doing and the thoughtfulness that is put into making these topics accessible to teachers and leaders. The topics included Embracing Generative AI in Education, UDL and Triple E Crosswalk, Accessibility by Design, and Empowering Diverse Learners: Leveraging AI for Differentiation. An overall great day, and great work by the team!

On April 10 and 11, the PLIC hosted the annual Seal of Biliteracy presentation day for students across the region. Throughout the two days, there were over 150 presentations in the Instructional Support Center by students from 16 districts, in 22 different languages. This day celebrated the work of HS students who were demonstrating their proficiency in at least one language other than English. The students presented their culminating projects to a panel of judges who spoke the presentation language and were evaluated used the state-provided rubric. Students who were successful will earn a Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma at graduation. Students and panelists were also treated to a special lunch, including a menu of various cultural cuisines, created and prepared by our own BOCES culinary students. All students involved in the two days were impressive in showcasing their skills!

Congratulations to all!

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee has been focused on strengthening staff support and development through inclusive practices and intentional collaboration. Here are some highlights of the committee’s recent work:

Supporting Staff Through Belonging
With a focus on building a culture of belonging, the committee is asking:

• What supports do staff need when facing daily challenges?

• What tools and resources can help staff decompress and debrief?

DEI Website Review
The committee is reviewing the DEI website to:

• Update priority areas

• Add celebrations and accomplishments from earlier initiatives

Workgroup Progress

• Accessibility: Finalized interpretation cards and a Google Translate QR Code card

• Affinity Groups: Launched a proposal form with suggestions to streamline it and include more visuals.

• Training Opportunities: DEI-related video resources have been identified and will be shared with the RIC to include in the BOCES Academy.

The committee remains committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every staff member feels supported, seen, and valued.

Last month, Alex Ackerman from the SCRIC and Dustin Andrus from the PLIC co-presented a session titled “Guide to Launching a Generative AI Pilot Program for Students” at the CoSN annual conference. During the session, Alex and Dustin highlighted the implementation journey of Binghamton High School's Generative AI Pilot Program, which aims to teach high school students how to use Generative AI safely and ethically within an academic setting. The session covered the development of teachers’ expertise in Generative AI, the creation of AI policy, the decision-making process for selecting an AI platform, and the strategic structure of the Pilot Program to ensure its success. Additionally, real examples were shared of how students were using generative AI in the classroom, along with insights from participating teachers and students.

Michelle Fata was promoted from a part-time IT Assistant to a full-time IT Assistant

Bret Albanese was promoted from PC/LAN to Associate Coordinator-Managed Services

Meghan Isham was promoted from PC/LAN to Associate Coordinator- Managed Services

Kyle Flemming was promoted from PC/LAN to Associate Coordinator- Managed Services

Taylor Ehrets was promoted from IT Assistant to PC/LAN Technician

Coen Salt was promoted from IT Assistant to PC/LAN Technician

Tim Miller was promoted to Assistant Director of IT Services

Kelly Twitchell was promoted to Assistant Director of Applications and Vendor Management

Our Communications and Public Relations team has had a busy and rewarding month helping tell the stories that matter most to our districts. One standout moment came from our team in Binghamton, where the Boys Basketball team brought home a state championship title—a historic achievement for the district and the community.

The celebration extended well beyond the court. Our team coordinated media coverage and school-wide celebrations and supported a community parade honoring the athletes. From the moment the final buzzer sounded, our team was on the court—capturing video and photos from the floor of the arena, preparing graphics for banners, posters, and social media, and creating apparel designs to help students, staff, and families share in the pride.

Behind the scenes, our team crafted messaging for parents and students, ensuring clear communication during a fast-moving and emotional event. It’s a powerful reminder that when our schools win, our entire community wins—and that story deserves to be told.

A special thank you to David Hermanovitch and Chris Whalen for their outstanding work supporting the district during this unforgettable championship season. Telling stories like this is one of the most meaningful and rewarding parts of what we do.

The Communications and Public Relations team recently produced an informational video to help school communities better understand the annual school budget process. Designed to explain what school budgets fund, how they are developed, and why voter participation matters, the video supports the upcoming statewide budget vote on May 20, 2025.

This resource has been distributed to all Broome-Tioga BOCES component districts and is also available for use as a public service announcement on local television stations.

Clear, accessible communication is critical when it comes to public education funding. The video aims to simplify complex information and highlight the importance of each resident’s vote in shaping the future of their local schools.

By developing this shared communication tool, our team continues to support districts in strengthening community engagement and transparency. Thank you to Regina Felice for writing the script and for Allen Lown for putting the video together.

ServiceNow Tip: How to Update Your Contact Information

Have you recently moved offices or classrooms? Please note that ServiceNow contact information does not update automatically. We need your help to ensure we have your current details so we can promptly address your technological needs.

To update your contact information, follow these steps:

1. Access ServiceNow: Go to MyApps and open ServiceNow.

2. Find the Update Contact Info Tile: Under "Popular Request Types," locate the tile labeled "Update Contact Info." If you cannot find this tile, you can use the search function to find the ticket type you need.

3. Update Your Information: Fill out only the portions of your contact information that have changed.

Take a moment to verify that your contact information, including your phone number and location, is accurate. This helps us provide better support to you. Thank you!

Working Smarter with AI Tools

You don’t need to be a tech expert to benefit from AI. Many tools, both built into programs you already use and freely available online, can help you save time, stay organized, and reduce daily stress.

Whether you're managing meetings, writing emails, or organizing tasks, here are some practical ways to use AI to lighten your workload:

Tools for Writing and Communication

Grammarly
Checks grammar, tone, and clarity in emails, documents, and web forms. Great for polishing your writing quickly and confidently.

Microsoft Copilot
Available in Outlook, Teams, and other Microsoft apps. Helps draft, edit, and summarize emails and documents right inside the tools you already use. Please note that Co-Pilot may be turned off in some Microsoft apps to protect data privacy.

Notebook LM
Upload documents and have the AI pull key points or generate summaries, one-pagers, or even a podcast based on your materials.

Tools for Meeting Notes and Summaries

Otter AI
Records and transcribes meetings in real time. It provides clear summaries you can revisit or share, making note-taking much easier.

Microsoft Teams Transcription
Built into Teams meetings, this feature allows you to record and transcribe the discussion for future reference or sharing.

Tools for Planning and Organization

Goblin Tools
Breaks big or overwhelming tasks into manageable steps. Perfect for anyone who struggles with task initiation or prioritization.

Notebook LM
Upload resources like manuals, reports, or training docs. Then ask questions to quickly find what you need, or generate materials like summaries or timelines.

Viva Insights in Teams & Outlook
Helps you build better workday habits by recommending focus time, reminding you to take breaks, and analyzing your schedule to prevent burnout.

Tools for Research and Brainstorming

ChatGPT and Other Chatbots
Generate ideas, outline documents, create content drafts, or answer questions about a topic quickly. Great for brainstorming and research support.

Notebook LM
Pull insights directly from documents you’ve uploaded and ask follow-up questions to dig deeper or reframe content for new uses.

Microsoft Copilot in Edge
Use the sidebar to ask questions, summarize articles or webpages, and gather quick answers based on what you’re currently viewing.

Tools for Visuals and Design

Microsoft Designer
Part of Microsoft 365, this tool helps you create professional flyers, graphics, and more using AI-generated layouts and design suggestions.

Canva with AI Features
Offers smart templates, magic design tools, and AI text generation to help you create polished visuals quickly.

A Note on Privacy & Best Practices

• When using any AI tool, never include or upload personal, private, or sensitive data, especially anything involving student Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

• Follow the 80/20 rule when using AI: let AI assist with 80% of the work (brainstorming, drafting, summarizing), but make sure you’re still doing the final 20%, reviewing, revising, and making decisions, to ensure accuracy, context, and professionalism.

Whether you're writing a report, organizing your day, or designing a presentation, these AI tools can help you do more with less stress. Pick one to try this week and explore how it can support your work. If you have questions or want help getting started, reach out to a member of the Ed Tech team for support!

This article was written and organized with the support of ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.