Dutchess BOCES

The District Superintendent serves as the liaison of the Commissioner of Education for the State of New York to 13 public school districts within Dutchess County. In this role, the District Superintendent supports the implementation of state and federal education law, the policies of the New York State Board of Regents, Commissioner's regulations, and attends to special assignments at the request of the Commissioner. In these roles, the District Superintendent is considered a state employee, and reports directly to the Commissioner and the Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy.

As Chief Executive Officer of Dutchess BOCES, the District Superintendent is responsible for providing leadership to component school districts within the supervisory district. In this capacity, the District Superintendent plans, administers, supervises, and evaluates regional support services and educational programs provided by the BOCES to serve the students of its 13 component school districts. In addition, the District Superintendent assists the component school districts, supporting their governance teams, and assisting boards of education in the recruitment and selection of school superintendents as needed.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Dutchess Board of Cooperative Educational Services is accountable to a seven member Board.

Candidate Qualifications: The successful candidate will be an experienced educational leader who has served as an administrator with growing responsibilities in a BOCES and/or school district. He or she will possess outstanding personal and professional characteristics and a strong educational background demonstrated by:

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Leadership - Being a "Leader of Leaders" - Lead by example, utilize the strength of teams, value and acknowledge staff, delegate authority, mentor and support others

Personal Attributes - People skills, active listener, dedicated, good sense of humor, approachable, honest, and respectful

Service Orientation - With high energy, commitment, and creativity, with relentless drive and patient persistence to support agency goals

Skilled Collaborator - Capable of engaging educational and workforce development stakeholders to create strong partnerships, evidence of successful management of long-term multi-agency projects

Student Centeredness - Focused on the needs of all students, and committed to the needs of diverse learners, with a belief that all students can succeed

Visionary Thinking - Ability to anticipate needs and be strategic, innovative, transformational, entrepreneurial, and forward thinking

Visibility - Being a visible, engaged, and collaborative education leader in the community

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Education Knowledge - Well-versed in New York State's P-20 educational systems, including education law requirements and regulations, policy, standards, and assessments

Experience - Strong working knowledge of BOCES, experience working in a BOCES highly preferred; evidence of successful collaboration with volunteer boards

Business Acumen - Aware of the operational and financial aspects of school finance and BOCES finance, including how to be cost effective and efficient while being a responsible steward of limited taxpayer dollars

Effective Communication - Skilled in representing the district in oral, written, and presentations and in written correspondence and reports

Government Knowledge - Understand the political arena, able to advocate for component districts and Dutchess BOCES, able to advise and work with legislators on education issues

Qualifications - A successful educator with classroom and leadership experience and a proven track record of data-driven decisions improving student achievement, community engagement, and school district climate and culture

Required Credentials - NYS Certification as a School District Administrator (SDA) or NYS Certification as a School District Leader (SDL)

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As specified in New York State Law, District Superintendents are appointed by the Board of Cooperative Educational Services with the approval of the Commissioner of Education. The Commissioner of the New York State Education Department and Dutchess BOCES Board of Education have appointed Dr. David O’Rourke, DS and CEO at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES; and Dr. Jonah Schenker, DS and CEO at Ulster BOCES, as search consultants.