Board of Education

Board Membership

Members of the board are volunteers who are elected by members of the Boards of Education of our component school districts to serve for three-year terms. Learn about board membership and elections.

Duties and responsibilities of the board include:

  • Provide shared educational services to our component schools.
  • Conduct needs assessments and long-range planning for BOCES and component school districts.
  • Employ teachers and support staff to carry out BOCES programs.
  • Prepare an annual BOCES budget and oversee annual expenditures.
  • Set policies for the organization and plans for future growth and change.
  • Appoint BOCES district superintendents (subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Education).
  • Work closely with the Capital Region BOCES district superintendent to implement state laws and board policies and directions.

To contact the Board of Education, email boe@neric.org.

2022-23 Meeting Schedule

Meetings are generally held at 5:30 p.m. at 900 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Albany, unless otherwise noted. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Board Clerk Mary Beth Bruno at 518-862-4920 or mary.bruno@neric.org.

  • Thursday, July 14, 2022; Meeting begins at 5:15 p.m.
  • Monday, August 15, 2022
  • Monday, Sept. 12, 2022
  • Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022 (Schoharie CTE)
  • Monday, Nov. 14, 2022
  • Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022
  • Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023
  • Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023
  • Monday, March 29, 2023; Annual Meeting – begins at 4 p.m. (Albany CTE)
  • Monday, April 17, 2023
  • Monday, May 15, 2023
  • Thursday, June 15, 2023; Meeting begins at 5 p.m. 
  • Monday, July 17, 2023

2022-2023 Board Meeting Schedule – One-Page Printer-Friendly Version

If you have trouble accessing this file, please email boces360@neric.org, call 518-464-3954 or report a website accessibility issue.  

Board Members

Headshot of John Phelan

John Phelan

President
Elected: 1994
Current term ends: 2023
Home district: Guilderland Central School District


Capital Region BOCES Board Member Naomi Hoffman

Naomi Hoffman

Vice-President

Elected: 2020
Current term ends: 2023
Home district: Shenendehowa Central School District
Member of: Shenendehowa Central School District Board of Education


Capital Region BOCES Board Member Brian Backus, wearing a red shirt with white piping, smiles for the camera.

Brian Backus

Elected: 2021
Current term ends: 2024
Home district: Niskayuna Central School District


Headshot of John Bergeron

John Bergeron

Elected: 1976
Current term ends: 2023
Home district: Schenectady City School District 
Member of: Tech Valley High School Board of Education


Headshot of Nancy Del Prado

Nancy delPrado

Elected: 2014
Current term ends: 2023
Home district: Mohonasen Central School District


Headshot of Kevin Kutzscher

Kevin Kutzscher

Elected: 1995
Current term ends: 2025
Home district: Sharon Springs Central School District
Member of: Tech Valley High School Board of Education 


Headshot of Lynne Lenhardt

Lynne Lenhardt

Elected: 1997
Current term ends: 2024
Home district: Bethlehem Central School District
Member of: Tech Valley High School Board of Education


Heather Soroka

Elected: 2018
Current term ends: 2025 
Home district: Watervliet City School District
Member of: Watervliet City School District Board of Education


Matthew Tedeschi

Matthew Tedeschi

Elected: 2019
Current term ends: 2025
Home district: Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District 
Member of: Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District Board of Education


Bruce Tryon

Elected: 2022
Current term ends: 2025
Home district: Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School District