After more than three decades in public education, including the past seven years leading HFM BOCES, District Superintendent Dr. David Ziskin will retire July 16, concluding a career dedicated to serving students, schools, and communities across the region. 
“Over 33 years in education, no experience has been more meaningful or rewarding than the opportunity to work alongside you in service of the students, schools, and communities of Hamilton, Fulton, and Montgomery counties,” Ziskin said in a statement delivered to HFM BOCES staff members earlier this year. “The mission and core values of HFM BOCES are ones I believe in deeply, and I have been continually inspired by the dedication, expertise, and compassion each of you brings to this work every day.”
Throughout his career, Ziskin served as a teacher and administrator in local districts, including Amsterdam, Broadalbin-Perth, Fonda-Fultonville, and Fort Plain. In May 2019, the HFM BOCES Board of Education appointed Ziskin as district superintendent, recognizing his experience and commitment to expanding educational opportunities across the region. His leadership helped shape programs and partnerships that expanded opportunities for students across the HFM region.
During his tenure as district superintendent, HFM BOCES expanded access to career and technical education, strengthened partnerships with community organizations, advanced regional initiatives focused on student mental health and family support services, and launched the Community Schools Resources Cooperative Service to provide districts with additional support for students and families.
As HFM BOCES prepares for its next chapter, the Board of Education approved the appointment of Lauren J. Gemmill, District Superintendent and CEO of Capital Region BOCES, to serve as interim district superintendent following Ziskin’s retirement. Gemmill will lead the organization while the search for HFM BOCES’ next permanent leader continues.
“Dr. Ziskin’s leadership has made a profound and lasting difference for the students of our region,” said board president Matt Sullivan. “His focus on student well‑being and access to opportunity has strengthened every district we serve.”
Sullivan added that Ziskin’s collaborative approach helped strengthen HFM BOCES and its component districts.
“Dave’s commitment to collaboration and his ability to bring people together in support of children has elevated the work of HFM BOCES in ways that will continue to benefit students for years to come,” Sullivan said. “On behalf of the Board of Education, we are deeply grateful for his service and wish him the very best in his retirement.”
Ziskin’s work has been recognized at both the state and local levels. Most recently, he received the William Deming Award from the Rural Schools Association of New York State during the organization’s summer conference in Lake Placid. Named for one of the association’s founders, the award is presented to individuals who demonstrate tremendous energy, service and excellence on behalf of rural schools.
Last fall, The Family Counseling Center of Fulton County honored Ziskin with the Dr. David and Ann Lee Clough Award, recognizing his efforts to expand school-based mental health services and strengthen support systems for students and families throughout the HFM region.
Dr. Harry Brooks, past president and current board member of the HFM BOCES Board of Education, praised Ziskin and his team’s enduring commitment to student wellness and innovation in education.
“Throughout his career as a teacher and leader, his commitment to students and their wellness has been a hallmark of his service,” Brooks said.
“Dr. Ziskin and his leadership team at HFM BOCES broke new ground in launching the HFM Community Schools Resources initiative that has transformed how districts address student needs. It is this approach, one that puts the well-being of children at the center of every decision, that sets Dr. Ziskin apart.”
As he prepares to retire, Ziskin said the relationships he built throughout the region will be among the most meaningful parts of his career.
“Our organization’s commitment to students, especially those who need us most, has been a constant source of motivation for me,” Ziskin said. “What we do together truly matters, and I am profoundly grateful for the collaboration, professionalism, and shared purpose that define this BOCES. To have been part of this mission, and to have done so with such exceptional colleagues, has been a privilege I will always treasure.”
