What are the responsibilities and job description for the District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer position at New York State School Boards Association?
District/Company:
Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery Board of Cooperative Educational Services
Location:
Johnstown, NY
Position Description:
The HFM Board of Cooperative Educational Services is seeking a collaborative, regional-focused leader to build trust and unify component districts through inclusive decision-making and shared governance. The next District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer must be a relationship-centered, student-driven, and politically savvy leader who can balance vision, collaboration and courage while deeply understanding and advancing the region. The successful candidate will continue our momentum in providing efficient, innovative programs and services in response to the needs of our component school communities.
HFM BOCES is working with the Capital Region BOCES District Superintendent to conduct a confidential search, a process that has incorporated feedback from students, faculty and staff, as well as our component superintendents.
The Board will offer a three-year contract with regionally competitive salary, commensurate with preparation, qualifications and experience, and record of the successful candidate, as well as an attractive benefits package. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will be appointed in October 2026.
About the Position
HFM BOCES is seeking an exceptional educational leader to serve as District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer.
The District Superintendent serves as the liaison between the New York State Education Department and the 15 component school districts within the HFM BOCES region. In this role, the District Superintendent supports the implementation of New York State Education Law, Board of Regents policies and the Commissioner's Regulations while providing regional leadership and guidance to component school districts.
As Chief Executive Officer of HFM BOCES, the District Superintendent provides leadership for regional programs, services and initiatives developed in partnership with component districts and community stakeholders. Responsibilities include supporting component districts through educational consulting, superintendent searches, regional planning and collaboration with the State Education Department on a variety of educational and operational initiatives.
Qualifications:
Visionary, Strategic and Forward-Thinking. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement a clear, forward-thinking vision for regional educational services. Experience leading system-wide strategic planning with measurable outcomes. Strong understanding of the evolving role of BOCES in supporting component districts and the ability to anticipate educational, workforce, and legislative trends and respond proactively.
Commitment to Student Success and Equity. Deep commitment to improving outcomes for all learners, including special populations and adult learners. Experience promoting equitable access to programs, services, and career pathways, and knowledge of diverse instructional models, including CTE, special education, and alternative programs.
Collaborative and Partnership-Oriented. Proven success building trust and partnerships with: component district superintendents and boards, educators and staff, and families and community stakeholders. Possesses the ability to balance the needs of multiple districts while maintaining a cohesive vision.
Instructional and Programmatic Experience. Strong understanding of curriculum, instruction, and assessment across multiple program areas. Demonstrates a commitment to program relevance aligned with regional workforce and higher education needs, and experience leading innovation.
Advocacy and External Relations. Effective advocate at local, regional, and state levels. Demonstrated ability to build and sustain partnerships with business and industry, higher education institutions and government and community organizations. Knowledge of New York State education policy and legislative processes.
Integrity and Ethical Decision-Making. Honest and transparent communicator who builds credibility through consistency, fairness and accountability. Is student-centered in decision-making. Demonstrates empathy and emotional intelligence. Combines approachability with the ability to make tough decisions.
Mentoring and Leadership Development. Possesses the ability to mentor, support, and cultivate the growth of component superintendents, particularly new superintendents as they begin their tenure in the role. The ideal candidate will support leaders in navigating the complexities of governance, community relations, fiscal responsibility and strategic planning.
For the full list of candidate qualifications please visit: https://www.hfmboces.org/hfmboces-superintendent-search/
Salary Range:
The Board will offer a three-year contract with regionally competitive salary, commensurate with preparation, qualifications and experience, and record of the successful candidate, as well as an attractive benefits package.
Position Available:
October 2026 (anticipated)
Application Deadline:
5 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026
Contact Information:
Application Procedures Candidates should send one email containing all of the following attachments by 5 p.m. on July 10, 2026:
- Cover letter
- Current resume
- Completed PDF application form (application and details can be found on: https://www.hfmboces.org/hfmboces-superintendent-search/)
- Official transcripts
- All teaching and administrative certificates
- Three letters of recommendation
Materials should be emailed to:
Lauren J. Gemmill, District Superintendent c/o Nicole Coleman Capital Region BOCES
900 Watervliet-Shaker Road
Albany, NY 12205
518.862.4901
nicole.coleman@neric.org
Inquiries
Email: lauren.gemmill@neric.org
Applicants should not contact members of the HFM BOCES Board or BOCES personnel. All inquiries must be directed to Lauren Gemmill.
Application Deadline: 5 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026.