July 2004
Contact: Holly Brooker
(845) 255-1450 xt. 1301

Len Cane Elected as President Ulster County School Boards Association

The Ulster County School Boards Association (UCSBA) announced its 2004-2005 slate of officers at their annual reorganization meeting. Taking over as president is Kingston resident and Ulster BOCES Board of Education member Len Cane.

With more than 25 years of school board service, Cane’s record speaks for itself.

He has represented Kingston City Schools Consolidated as a member of the Ulster BOCES Board of Education for the past 21 years, serving five years as president from 1996-2001 and three years as vice president from 1993-1996. Before joining the Ulster BOCES Board, he served as a member of the Kingston City Schools Board from 1976-1981, holding the position of president for one year and vice president for two years.

In October 2002, Cane’s outstanding school board service was recognized by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) when he was presented with the Statewide Distinguished Service Award. This honor is presented each year to the one current or former school board member among the 7,500 in the State who has done the most for public education and the children of his or her community. Of his leadership plans for UCSBA, Cane says he would like to help the association move into a position where schools in Ulster County can initiate and immediately respond to legislative issues impacting our schools and students. He also wishes to get more board members and officials active in the association.

Other officers elected to one-year terms include Onteora’s Kathleen Hochman as vice president and Kingston’s Maureen Bowers as recording secretary. Ulster BOCES District Superintendent Martin Ruglis will serve as executive secretary and treasurer.

Over 90 members strong, UCSBA meets bi-monthly and is made up of the ten public education providers in Ulster County, including Ellenville, Highland, Kingston, New Paltz, Onteora, Rondout Valley, Saugerties, Ulster BOCES, Wallkill, and West Park. One of the Association’s primary objectives is to voice the opinions of its members on legislative and other pertinent matters. Other focuses include encouraging cooperation among member boards in the interest of better education, providing for the exchange of information about and assisting its members with school problems, and working to further the mutual objectives of UCSBA and the New York State School Boards Association.

Other UCSBA business of the evening included a presentation and candid discussion with New York State Regent Harry Phillips, who spoke about the NYS assessment system, Regent’s exams, Campaign for Fiscal Equity issues, and the Board of Regents State Aid Proposal. UCSBA brings relevant speakers to its meetings on a regular basis to address topics, programs, and items of interest to the county’s school board members.

For more information about the Ulster County School Boards Association, contact Martin Ruglis at 845-255-3040.