Public Information
Public Documents & Annual Notices
**If any documents on this page are not accessible to you, please send an email to publicrelations@moboces.org.**
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MOBOCES uses ParentSquare as its primary communication tool with employees and families, including about weather delays and closings and campus emergencies.
To download the free ParentSquare app, visit your app store and search for 'ParentSquare'.
To access ParentSquare via the Internet, please visit Parentsquare Website.
For Assistance: Families should contact the main office of their child's program at MOBOCES to receive an electronic invitation to join ParentSquare.
If you are not receiving ParentSquare messages, please check your spam folder. You can also contact support@parentsquare.com for technical assistance. -
Pesticide Notification
The Madison-Oneida BOCES uses Integrated Pest Management practices to reduce the use of pesticides in the BOCES buildings and on the grounds. It may be necessary, however, to use pesticides periodically during the school year. New York State law requires that schools maintain a list of staff and parents who wish to receive written notice forty-eight (48) hours prior to a pesticide application at their school facility if the school building will be occupied within seventy-two (72) hours of an application. If you wish to be included on this notification list or would like further information on the district's pesticides program, please contact the Deputy Superintendent at 315-361-5520.
Asbestos Notification
In accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1987 (AHERA), a copy of the Madison-Oneida BOCES building inspection report and management plan is available for review during business hours by appointment. Please contact the Director of Facilities at 315-361-5500 to set up an appointment or if you have any questions.
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Madison-Oneida BOCES, including the BOCES Consortium of Continuing Education, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic group sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, military status, veteran status disability, weight, age, or any other basis protected by New York State or federal non-discrimination laws in its programs and activities, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
MOBOCES will take steps to assure that the lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in CTE programs, which can be found on our CTE webpage. Admission to CTE programs is by application or invitation.
Information on the grievance process is available in our Board Policy on the Title IX Grievance Process.
Inquiries regarding the BOCES non-discrimination policies should be directed to the Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator:
Terry Macey, Director of Human Resources
4937 Spring Road, P.O. Box 168
Verona, NY 13478
Telephone: 315-361-5512
Email: tmacey@moboces.orgInquiries may also be addressed to:
The Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education
32 Old Slip, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10005
Telephone: 646-428-3800
Email: OCR.NewYork@ed.gov.If translation services are required please contact Kayla Roberts at kroberts@moboces.org.
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New York has implemented a "Distraction-Free Schools" policy for the 2025-26 school year, requiring all K-12 public schools to implement a bell-to-bell restriction on student use of internet-enabled personal devices, including cell phones. In compliance with this statewide mandate, MOBOCES has developed guidelines that prioritize a safe, supportive, and focused learning environment for every student.
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MOBOCES is committed to providing a safe school environment where students can receive a quality education free from disruption.
MOBOCES has expectations for conduct on school property, at school-sponsored functions, and on district-provided transportation. Those expectations and consequences for unacceptable conduct are outlined in the documents below.
Dignity Act Coordinators
- Molly LiBritz, Director Secondary Programs, 315-361-5700
- Owen Maranville, Director Middle Level Programs, 315-361-8404
- Amanda Hopkins, Director Elementary Programs, 315-361-8458
- Randy Raux, Director of Continuing Education, 315-361-5800
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It is the policy of the BOCES to follow the United States Copyright Law of 1976, as amended. Any use of computer or duplicating facilities by employees or students for infringing use of copyrighted materials is subject to appropriate disciplinary action as well as those civil remedies and criminal penalties that may be provided under federal law.
Read the full board policy governing copyrighted materials or contact our Records Access Officer at 315-361-5510 for more information.
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If you have questions or comments, please email Ghada Abouqamar.
Campus Safety Information – Surveillance Policy
New York State Department of Health – Flu Information for Schools and Childcare Facilities
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All New York State public schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) are required to test all potable water outlets for lead and post results and remediation action information on their website.
Q&A Regarding Lead Testing in Schools
What are the health effects of lead?
Lead is a metal that can harm children and adults when it gets into their bodies. Lead is a known neurotoxin, particularly harmful to the developing brain and nervous system of children under 6 years old. Lead can harm a young child's growth, behavior, and ability to learn. Lead exposure during pregnancy may contribute to low birth weight and developmental delays in infants. There are many sources of lead exposure in the environment, and it is important to reduce all lead exposure as much as possible. Water testing helps identify and correct possible sources of lead that contribute to exposure from drinking water.
What are the other sources of lead exposure?
Lead is a metal that has been used for centuries for many purposes, resulting in widespread distribution in the environment. Major sources of lead exposure include lead-based paint in older housing, and lead that built up over decades in soil and dust due to historical use of lead in gasoline, paint, and manufacturing. Lead can also be found in a number of consumer products, including certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, foods, plumbing materials, and cosmetics. Lead seldom occurs naturally in water supplies but drinking water could become a possible source of lead exposure if the building’s plumbing contains lead. The primary source of lead exposure for most children with elevated blood-lead levels is lead-based paint.
Should your child be tested for lead?
The risk to an individual child from past exposure to elevated lead in drinking water depends on many factors, including but not limited to, a child’s age, weight, amount of water consumed, and the amount of lead in the water. Children may also be exposed to other significant sources of lead including paint, soil, and dust. Since blood lead testing is the only way to determine a child’s blood lead level, parents should discuss their child’s health history with their child’s physician to determine if blood lead testing is appropriate. Pregnant women or women of childbearing age should also consider discussing this matter with their physician.
Additional Resources
For more information regarding the testing program or sampling results, contact Todd Vandresar, Director of Facilities, at 315-361-5750 or tvandresar@moboces.org.
NYS Health Department Lead Testing of School Drinking Water
NYS Education Department Lead Testing in School Drinking Water
NYS Health Department Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and Publications
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The purpose of the BOCES Professional Learning plan is to improve the quality of teaching and learning by ensuring teachers and leaders participate in substantial learning opportunities that allow them to grow professionally, remain current with their profession, and meet the learning needs of their students.
Read our full Professional Learning Plan.
The purpose of the NYS Standards-based Educator Evaluation and Support System (STEPS) is to support all teachers’ and principals’ professional growth as a part of a comprehensive, systematic approach to advancing excellence in teaching and learning aligned to the NYS Teaching Standards and the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework. STEPS is the state-required successor to the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) system.
Read our full STEPS plan.
Read our Principal APPR Plan.
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Should you have a concern about fraud or suspected abuses, you may anonymously report such concerns to the Board of Education President by calling 315-361-5510 and establishing a set time to call back to discuss such matters. Reports can also be made through the NYS Comptroller’s Office at this website.
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The BOCES Report Card is created by the New York State Education Department each year, and all BOCES are required to post it on their websites.
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Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) are required by law and regulations to prepare a regional plan for providing technology services in the supervisory district. Plans must address the requirements outlined in Education Law 1950(4)(c) and the related Part 115.1 of the Commissioner’s Regulations.
The Mohawk Regional Information Center, Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES, Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton BOCES, Madison-Oneida BOCES, and Oneida-Hekimer-Madison BOCES work together to maintain this plan. The plan benefits 49 school districts and 4 BOCES. -
Water safety starts at home. To stay safe at the beach, pool, ocean, or river, it’s important to develop essential water safety skills.
By taking proper precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of drowning and enhance your safety in and around water.
Tips for Safe Swimming
- Always swim with others; never enter the water alone. Keep an eye on each other.
- Always supervise your children around water.
- Stay within arm’s reach of a small child.
- Lifeguards do not replace the need for close supervision by a caregiver.
- If you or your child has a medical condition such as a seizure disorder or heart condition, look out for symptoms that could put them at risk.
- Non-swimmers should avoid water greater than chest deep – even the “shallow end” of a pool is over chest deep for most young children.
- Learn basic swimming and water safety skills.
- If using life jackets, remember they do not take the place of continuous and close adult supervision.
- Use of life jackets and other flotation devices when swimming can give a false sense of security and lead to entering water deeper than one’s comfort level or swimming ability.
- If you use one for swimming, choose a life jacket that is U.S. Coast Guard-approved (I-III label) and properly fitted.
- Air-filled swimming aids, such as water wings and floats, should not be used in place of approved life jackets.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol while swimming. They slow reaction time and impair judgment.
- Never dive into water less than 8 feet deep or of unknown depth or water conditions.
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with rescue breathing, first aid, and calling 911 can save a life and minimize injury.
- Check the weather forecast if swimming outside – avoid inclement weather, wear sunscreen, and be aware of extreme heat or fatigue.
- Keep water safety in mind when boating and always follow safe boating practices, including wearing a life jacket.
Drowning Prevention
Drowning can occur anywhere there is water, from lakes and pools to bathtubs and buckets.
Drowning happens quickly and quietly. People often think that if someone is not calling for help, they are not drowning. Remember that when someone is drowning, they are trying to breathe, not speak. It may appear that the person is splashing or waving, but this may be an involuntary response to try to stay afloat. Progression from struggling to drowning can happen in as few as 20 seconds. Any delay in rescue can be fatal.
What are the most common causes?
Children
- Lack of adult supervision around water, pools, bathtubs, and buckets of water. This is often at home – drowning can occur in as little as two inches of water.
- Pools that do not have four-sided fencing that isolates a home swimming pool from the house.
- Swimming alone or wandering into water.
- Swimming in public areas where there are no lifeguards.
- Not using approved life jackets while swimming and boating.
Everyone Else
- For older children, teenagers, and adults, drowning occurs most often in natural bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and the ocean.
- Drownings are often associated with boating and other water activities. Almost everyone who drowns while boating is not wearing a life jacket or other personal flotation device.
- Almost half of the people who drown are alone in the water at the time of the incident.
- Of people over age 14, almost half of drownings are associated with alcohol or drug use.
- Drowning is the most common cause of unintentional injury death for people with seizure disorders.
Additional Resources on Water Safety
NYS Health Swimming Safety Website
American Red Cross Water Safety Website
Local Low-Cost Options for Swimming Instruction
YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley (Oneida and Rome locations)