Management Services 40

PROFILES IN SUCCESS: Philip Benante, Ed.D., Superintendent, Haldane Central School District

BOCES is frequently lauded as an organization that makes a difference. But, like any organization, it is only as good as the people involved: People like Haldane Superintendent Dr. Philip Benante, who, while benefiting from the many programs that BOCES offers its 18 component school districts and beyond, is also a key player in that programming.

Top among these is his involvement with the BOCES Center for Educational Leadership's college partnerships and initiatives. He currently teaches a course on educational research in the Future School Leaders Academy (FSLA), which prepares and certifies candidates as school and district leaders. “I thoroughly enjoy teaching the class and particularly like getting to know the FSLA students across the region,” says Benante. “It’s very rewarding and helps me be a better leader.”

He is also an active contributor in the Special Education Leadership Institute as a focus group leader. “This is incredibly important. Leadership positions in special education are extremely stressful, and the more support we can give these educators the better,” he says. Benante, who has a master's in Special Education and experience in a co-teaching position, can relate directly, but he believes that all administrators need to be closely connected to work with unique learners. “These are the students who stand to benefit the most – or lose the most – in our public-school settings,” he says.

Benante sits on the steering committee of the PNW BOCES ACTION Collaborative Network, which addresses equity related initiatives. He is also a co-facilitator in the monthly learning sessions of BOCES’ Chief School Administrators . As such he works with other superintendents in the 18 component school districts on best practices. This organization forms the basis for the advocacy work of school leaders at the state and federal level.

The Haldane superintendent has also represented PNW BOCES at the state level in NYCOSS – the New York State Council of School Superintendents, a statewide professional organization facilitating aspiring superintendents.

“Dr. Benante is an extraordinary leader, coveted partner and asset to our BOCES and educators in the region,” says PNW BOCES Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lynn Allen. “His continuous generosity of time and expertise has greatly enriched our BOCES and the region.”

But he is quick to point out that he and his district are beneficiaries of much of what BOCES has to offer. “BOCES provides an exceptional level of support,” he says. “We use BOCES programs and services in so many ways. As a small district, we don’t have extensive professional learning support, and so speakers offered through BOCES and all the professional learning programming offerings are extremely valuable.”

Haldane students take advantage of the wide range of offerings at the BOCES Career and Technical Education Center, from Animation to Sports Medicine to Auto Body, and the district’s students with special needs “greatly benefit from BOCES special education” options at Pines Bridge, Walden and Fox Meadow schools, Benante says.

According to Benante, PNW BOCES’ reputation goes far beyond the 18 Putnam/Northern Westchester school districts. "I always sought out PNW BOCES programming, even when I wasn’t in one of the component districts.”

CREATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Creative Services is a national and state level award-winning department that specializes in visual communications dedicated to the impact of creative and strategic design and video production services. PNW BOCES Creative Services Department is leading the creative resource landscape by helping school districts create a visual language through a wide array of solutions.

LYNN ALLEN, Ed.D

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

lallen@pnwboces.org (914) 248-2310

KAREN THORNTON

PR & MARKETING COORDINATOR

kthornton@pnwboces.org (914) 248-2231