Capital Region BOCES held its Annual Meeting and Dinner on Wednesday, April 9, at the Career and Technical Education Center, Albany Campus. Attended by the BOCES Board of Education and school board members and leaders of component districts, the purpose of the meeting was to present the tentative administrative, capital and program budgets for the 2025-26 school year.
Naomi Hoffman, Board President, called the meeting to order and introduced board candidates, Bruce Tryon, Matt Tedeschi, Heather Soroka and Indica Jaycox as well as board members Kevin Kutzscher, Lynne Lenhardt, Catherine Lewis, John Phelan and Kimberly Tulle. Kevin Kutzscher, an outgoing board member, was recognized for 30 years of service on the BOCES board. BOCES students, Skylar Britton, Schalmont Central School District, and Ryan Cacchiotti, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District, led the meeting attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
After the pledge, District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer Lauren Gemmill presented a video, “CRB Buddies,” which highlights Airline Academy’s Big Buddy program. Pairing younger students with older students as mentors, the program is effectively improving communication skills and positive self-image, while building strong connections among students.
As part of her presentation of the 2025-26 proposed administrative budget, Deputy District Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Elizabeth Wood shared a video, entitled “Building New Opportunities,” which showcases the need for the BOCES Career and Technical Education Extension Center. Currently under construction, the 46,377 square foot state-of-the- art facility is anticipated to be completed in time for the start of the 2025-26 school year. The CTE Extension Center not only allows BOCES to answer the ever-growing demand for CTE but illustrates an investment in our component districts and students.
Together, both videos demonstrate the impact and extent of BOCES’ programs and how they strive to support all students — from creating heartwarming connections to providing students with the skills and opportunities to succeed when they enter the workforce. Additionally, they exemplify BOCES’ commitments of service, value, excellence, improvement and leadership
Following Dr. Wood’s budget presentation, attendees enjoyed a three-course meal prepared by students from the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Technology program at the Career and Technical Education Center, Albany Campus. On the menu was a grilled romaine hearts salad, Pork Wellington accompanied by chantilly potatoes, haricots verts and a Black Forest mousse dome. Students created every aspect of the meal with guidance from their teachers, chefs Erica Weakley, Paul Dolan and Paul Rother.
School boards to vote on Capital Region BOCES Administrative Budget
School board members from Capital Region BOCES component districts will vote Wednesday, April 23, on the proposed Capital Region BOCES administrative budget, which totals $15,674,431 and is 7.7 percent of the $203 million BOCES budget. The administrative budget encompasses retiree health insurance costs and operational expenses, including human resources, payroll, benefits, accounting and billing, and leadership support of those functions. It is the only part of the BOCES budget on which component school boards vote.