Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES welcomes our new District Superintendent D.J. Shepardson, who started on Oct. 1.
The Herkimer BOCES Board of Education selected Shepardson as the new district
superintendent and chief executive officer in June and formally appointed him in July.
At the time, Herkimer BOCES Board President Holly Pullis said the board was impressed with Shepardson’s knowledge, skills and leadership abilities.
“In reviewing all the candidates, the board looked for a new leader who would continue to advance the exceptional work of this BOCES in providing quality programs and services to our component districts,” Pullis said. “We believe Mr. Shepardson is the right person to do that, and we appreciated the collaborative approach that he will bring to the role.”
Until becoming Herkimer BOCES district superintendent, Shepardson served as the superintendent of West Canada Valley Central School District since 2015. Prior to this role, he served as elementary principal and a social studies teacher in West Canada Valley, for a total of 25 years in that district. He has been active in various regional committees through Herkimer BOCES related to Career and Technical Education programming, finances and facilities planning. He has experience coaching multiple sports and now represents Herkimer County superintendents with Section III Athletics and serves as the Center State Conference president, overseeing 24 athletics directors.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Utica College; a master’s degree in adult education from SUNY Buffalo; and a certificate in school district leader/school business leader from SUNY Stony Brook.
"I am honored to have been selected as the next district superintendent of the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES. As a lifelong resident of Herkimer County, I look forward to working with our local school boards, school superintendents, government leaders and community partners to provide expanded opportunities for students in our region,” Shepardson said, when he was selected for the position. “This BOCES is an important resource to our region with a highly dedicated staff committed to supporting our communities. I am certainly humbled by this opportunity and look forward to continuing the outstanding work being done."