At its November 12 meeting, the Questar III Board of Education accepted Assistant Superintendent Dr. Andy DeFeo’s resignation letter for purpose of retirement after 16 years of service.
During his time at Questar III DeFeo served in a wide range of capacities, touching nearly every part of the organization and its service region.
He was originally appointed as Administrator of Technology and District-based Support Services in 1999 after serving as a director at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES, principal at Ravena High School and assistant principal at Guilderland High School.
In 2002, DeFeo was promoted to assistant superintendent. In this role he oversaw a wide range of support services such as arts-in-education, communications, distance learning, health and safety, IT, Odyssey of the Mind and state aid planning.
In 2009, he assumed leadership of the organization’s career and technical education (CTE) program – an area he supervised right up to his retirement.
Reflecting back on his experience at the BOCES DeFeo said he is pleased at the relationships and results achieved in collaboration with countless staff and district leaders. This includes:
- Expanding and strengthening career and technical education (CTE), including adding hands-on programs and partnerships with business, industry and higher education.
- Raising the technical endorsement rate and lowering discipline referrals at the CTE educational centers.
- Facilitating the development and implementation of four different strategic plans for the BOCES and long-range planning processes for several local districts.
- Conducting dozens of superintendent searches for local school boards.
- Working with superintendents and BOCES staff to develop, revamp or strengthen services.
Looking forward, DeFeo said the organization is primed for continued growth and leadership – and he is ready to focus on other interests.
“This BOCES is and will continue to be a statewide leader. Its ability to facilitate collaboration, share information, mobilize resources or simply provide districts with service, learning and excellence is powerful. I am proud to be a small part of this wonderful work and group of people, from the classroom to the board room, over the past 16 years,” DeFeo said.
DeFeo plans to spend time with family and pursuing interests associated with his career work and in the field of aviation as a certified flight instructor.
Best wishes, Andy.
