LIBERTY – Sullivan BOCES has received official notification from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) that Commissioner Betty A. Rosa has authorized the organization to proceed with the search to fill its District Superintendent vacancy, which was created following the retirement of Dr. Robert M. Dufour.

 This authorization follows the completion of a comprehensive study assessing Sullivan BOCES’ current organizational structure and service capacity. The study was required under Section 2201 of the New York State Education Law, which mandates that whenever a vacancy occurs in the Office of a District Superintendent, the Commissioner must determine whether redistricting or reorganization is advisable before a search can commence.

 Conducted by the independent consultant company, White and Partners LLC, the recently completed study evaluated Sullivan BOCES’ organizational structure, service capacity, administrative functions, and physical space. The collaborative process included extensive input and perspectives from both internal and external stakeholders, culminating in a final report submitted to NYSED by the June 30, 2026 deadline. Now that the Commissioner has completed the review and granted approval, Sullivan BOCES is officially opening the search for its next educational leader. The board anticipates a start date on or before January 1, 2027.

 Sullivan BOCES is working with the Broome-Tioga BOCES District Superintendent, Dr. Rebecca Stone, to conduct a confidential search. The process will incorporate feedback from students, faculty, staff, and component school districts gathered through the recent Organizational Study and Operational Analysis.