HFM BOCES Service Award

HFM's board clerk wins Service Award

Linda Newton was stunned when she heard her name called.

"I can't believe it," she said over and over again during the Sept. 5 Opening Day program for HFM BOCES staff, which included an announcement of the 2006 HFM BOCES Service Award Winner. "I had no idea."

Ms. Newton has worked for HFM BOCES for more than 20 years. She serves as clerk to the BOCES Board of Education. Her responsibilities also include handling health and dental insurance for more than 300 BOCES employees and almost 60 retirees.

"Linda Newton, in a quiet and unassuming manner, is a tremendous resource both for the staff and the Board of Education," said HFM BOCES Superintendent Geoffrey H. Davis.

"She is our primary liaison for both active employees and retirees in the highly controversial arena of health insurance, and has served the Board as Clerk for 20 years. She was very moved by this recognition, a richly deserved issuance by the Board, earned through nomination by her peers."

Nominations sought for HFM Service Award

HFM BOCES is inviting staff, local educators, residents, business and community leaders to nominate individuals for the HFM BOCES Service Award for 2007.

Nominees will be considered based
on their contributions in helping BOCES meet its mission of enhancing education through leadership, services and programs enabling individuals, school districts and the community to achieve their standards of excellence.

The HFM BOCES Service Award for 2005 went to Helena Kilgore,
an account clerk who heads up HFM's payroll department. Helena has worked for HFM BOCES since 1974, holding a number of positions during her tenure. She has since announced her plan to retire, effective May 2007.

Past honors have been given to 11 people

The HFM BOCES Service Award honors have been bestowed as follows:

• 1995-1996 - Deborah Booth

• 1996-1997 - Glenn Marcucio

• 1997-1998 - Cynthia Fratianni

• 1998-1999 - Anita Gaffney

• 1999-2000 - Patricia Maderic

• 2000-2001 - Jean Papa

• 2001-2002 - Peter Raneri

• 2002-2003 - Thomas Flynn

• 2003-2004 - Helen Neet

• 2004-2005 - Helena Kilgore 

• 2005-2006 - Linda Newton