GST BOCES has a plan for the future of the organization. Our Strategic Plan concentrates all efforts, resources, activities and energies toward a single goal. Beliefs are the driving force of the plan which formally express the organization's the fundamental values and character.

Our Mission
The GST BOCES is an innovative educational service organization driven by
customer needs and a commitment to excellence, whose mission is to ensure the success of our diverse learners, parents, community members, schools and businesses by providing collaboratively inspired, cost-effective, quality programs in an atmosphere that is safe and supportive.

Core Beliefs
We believe that…

• Quality customer service and cost effectiveness are critical to our mission. 
• Teamwork is essential to success.
• Continuous improvement promotes excellence.
• Learners are our first priority.
• Building healthy relationships enables success for all.
• Every individual’s unique abilities can be cultivated.
• Everyone is entitled to a safe and supportive environment.
• Communication is a shared responsibility.
• Community involvement is essential to our success.
• Education fosters a higher quality of life.
• Embracing diversity strengthens the organization.

Parameters

• We will always make decisions in the best interest of our learners.
• We will not allow our customers’ needs to go unmet.
• We will only employ and retain respectful, professional, trustworthy, willing and loyal people.
• We will always work collaboratively.
• We will not accept failure.
• We will not tolerate any behavior or environment that is degrading or unsafe.

Objectives

• 100 percent of our customer needs will be met 100 percent of the time.
• 100 percent of the schools in the GST BOCES region will receive the necessary BOCES support to ensure that their students meet the NYS Learning Standards and diploma requirements.
• 100 percent of the learners who come to GST BOCES for educational programs will acquire their desired certificate, marketable occupational skills and effective life skills.
• 100 percent of our employees will rate the BOCES climate as satisfactory and collaborative.

Strategies

• We will ensure that high quality, cost-effective programs and services are developed collaboratively with stakeholders and focus on customer needs.
• We will design and implement programs and services to assist component school districts to improve student achievement.
• We will ensure that all instructional programs are continuously improving and meeting the needs of learners and other stakeholders.
• We will develop a participatory and collaborative culture.
• We will develop a formal communication system to ensure that all staff, clients, and community members can receive and respond to the information they need in a timely fashion.

Kermit Bossard, Board member, GST BOCES
Don Chatfield, Board member, GST BOCES
Deb Condie, Transcribing Typist, Bush, Career Development Council
Mike Doherty, Director, Chemung ARC, Elmira
Lydia Eldridge, Administrator of Computer Services, Bush
Wendy Field, Principal, Career & Technical Education, Bush
Mary Beth Fiore, Superintendent, Elmira Heights Central School District
Lori Flaitz, Teacher Aide, Alternative Education, Wildwood
Glenn Fried, Dean, Continuing Education, Elmira College, Elmira
Jim Gallagher, Psychologist, Career & Technical Education/Alternative Education, Coopers & Wildwood
Sam Gauss, Principal, Career & Technical Education, Coopers
Dorie Hughson, Secretary to the Superintendent, Coopers
Sandra Kasson, Special Education Teacher, Hornell High School
Evanna Koska, Transitional GED Teacher, Spencer & Watkins
Kris Manns, Instructional Support, Transcribing Typist, Bush
Tony Micha, District Superintendent, GST BOCES
Kelly Moravec, Teacher Aide, Special Education, Hornell High School
Chris Roser, Superintendent, Avoca Central School District
Mike Skelly, Bath Village Trustee & Assistant Principal, Broadway Middle School, Elmira City School District
Dan Wallenbeck, Information Technology Manager, Wildwood

Betty DeNardo, Training Coordinator, Coopers
Horst Graefe, Assistant Superintendent, Coopers
Chris Weinman, Career & Technical Education Executive Director, Wildwood

Download the GST BOCES strategic plan, created in July 2006 in PDF Format.