Blueprint for Excellence: Strategic Plan charts a bright future for SWBOCES, region
Mission, Vision and Core Values identified in the plan provide a ‘guiding star’
Following months of collaborative input by stakeholders, Southern Westchester BOCES has adopted a strategic plan that charts a course for the future, prioritizes excellence and seeks to strengthen connections across the region.
The Blueprint for Excellence 2025-28 sets ambitious goals for student success, staff support and regional collaboration, and is designed to ensure that SWBOCES remains at the forefront of educational innovation.
The strategic planning process engaged stakeholders in workshops and discussions, tasking them with thinking critically and boldly about the opportunities presented in the years ahead. The plan is meant to be a living document.
The SWBOCES Board of Education and administration began the process by engaging the services of consultant Dr. Kevin McGowan. By early 2025, the mission and vision statements were drafted, along with core values that reflect the best of what SWBOCES aspires to be. Participants identified key priority areas and developed action plans throughout the Winter and Spring of 2025. The Board of Education adopted the strategic plan in May.
“This is our moment to dream big, to act boldly and to build a future that we can all be proud of together,” Dr. Coles said.
The plan reflects the diversity of those who contributed to it and those who will be served by it..
“Going into the strategic planning process, we really were committed to the process being collaborative - that we hear from all stakeholders,” Dr. Lyons said.
Work has begun on its implementation, with administrators in each BOCES center linking their goal-setting processes back to the plan. Throughout the 2025-26 school year, they will report on their progress, reconvening in the spring to assess their progress and adjust their goals accordingly.
A Guiding Star: Redefining Mission, Vision and Core Values
The Strategic Plan is centered around three pillars: the Student Experience, the Staff Experience, and Operations and Management.
Those translate in a number of meaningful ways, from learning environments where students feel safe, supported and heard to mental health resources and experiences like internships and college visits that prepare students for success.
The plan positions families and communities as central partners, benefiting from clear information, regular feedback opportunities and events that foster connection. Meanwhile, modern facilities, upgraded technology and skilled staff make SWBOCES a center of innovation and collaboration, ensuring that students, families and school districts all thrive together.
Underpinning those three pillars are the Mission, Vision and Core Values that, as Dr. Lyons put it, “give us a guiding star to help keep us on track.”
The Mission Statement speaks directly to supporting students, school districts and communities through “innovative, future-focused services and forward-thinking leadership.” The Vision is for SWBOCES to be proactive, responsive and student-centered, while also acting as a hub of support, expertise and innovation, and a model for our partners. The Core Values are service, integrity and equity, opportunity and access.
“We plan to anchor our work by asking the question: how does this work align with being future-focused and forward thinking? It’s an exciting time,” she said.
The LHRIC is committed to providing “service with integrity,” Dr. McDonnell said, and seeing that reflected in the strategic plan is heartening.
“That’s important because the students, when they come here, they feel like they’re at home and they feel valued,” said Ms. Jackson. “And I think that is what SWBOCES is all about.”
At the Center for Adult & Community Services, leaders are refining their goals to reflect strategic priorities. Coordinator of Adult Programs Betsy Evans sees strong alignment between the strategic plan and programs that offer access and opportunities to adult learners.
“Adult Education programs focus on maximizing student potential by providing affordable opportunities to advance skills through hands-on training,” Ms. Evans said.
Everyone here is on a shared mission to help students find their footing in the world, she said. Strong partnerships help to ensure success.
“We’re proud to be part of students’ long-term growth and success,” Ms. Baage said. “Southern Westchester BOCES employees are well versed in what we do and we really care about helping others succeed.”
A Brighter Future and a Collective Commitment
“What excites me most is that we have a roadmap,” said Ms. Clarke. “A strong strategic plan makes our thinking visible, both to the districts we serve and to our own staff,” she added. “It signals that we value transparency, that every voice matters. We are listening to and acting on the input of those within our organization. In this way, the plan not only guides our work well; it also shows our collective commitment to fostering trust, accountability and innovation for the benefit of the region.”
Dr. Coles shares that enthusiasm. The strategic plan aligns with New York State Education Department initiatives that put future-focused instruction in the spotlight. There is no time to play catch-up by being reactive to what’s happening in the world, said Dr. Coles.
“The future is bright for Southern Westchester BOCES and the years ahead are filled with opportunity,” Dr. Coles said. “We have developed a clear vision and a strong plan to build that future together.”
