Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES recently won Utica National Insurance Group’s School Safety Excellence Award for 2025 at the Titanium with Honors level.
This marks the eighth year in a row that Herkimer BOCES has been recognized with a Utica National Insurance Group School Safety Excellence Award and the fourth year in a row of winning the award at the Titanium with Honors level, which is the highest level.
“The Herkimer BOCES Safety Services team works closely with BOCES and component district administrators and staff to make our schools as safe as possible,” Herkimer BOCES Supervisor of Safety Services Adam Hutchinson said. “We’re thankful to Utica National Insurance Group for recognizing our safety efforts, and the most important thing is the continued safety of the students and staff in our region.”
Herkimer BOCES received its award at Utica National’s 43rd school safety seminar on April 2 in Syracuse. It was one of six such seminars the company hosts in the state. Herkimer BOCES officials accepted a certificate to commemorate the district's safety efforts and a check for $500 for use as reimbursement for and/or in connection with the school safety program.
The Herkimer BOCES Safety Services team leads safety efforts at Herkimer BOCES and component school districts. The Safety Services team includes Hutchinson, School Safety Advisor James Garcia, School Facilities Advisor Donald Maxwell and PBIS Coordinator Kellie Maxwell.
The Safety Excellence Award is presented annually and recognizes school districts’ and BOCES’ safety efforts as they work to help keep students, staff and visitors safe. For more than 50 years, Utica National has helped keep kids and school staff safe and currently insures more than 300 school districts in Upstate New York alone.
“Safety and health concerns continue to be a priority in our school districts,” said Mark Angelucci, senior vice president and head of Utica National's Specialty Lines. “Districts that go above and beyond to provide a safe, healthy and focused culture for learning are to be applauded, and we're pleased to count Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES among them.”
Utica National's School Safety Excellence Award Program has three levels – titanium, platinum and gold – in which schools can earn a meritorious distinction by meeting specific criteria to enhance overall safety. Through the program, schools with their own transportation, schools with contract transportation and BOCES are evaluated. Categories covered include bullying prevention programs, playground safety and other areas, and are measured using specific, quantifiable surveys.
Angelucci noted that, beyond the recognition itself, an added benefit of following the safety program is the chance to pinpoint specific threats to safety.
“The time to address those threats is before a loss happens, which really helps contribute to the safety culture that districts are working toward,” Angelucci said.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES recently won Utica National Insurance Group’s School Safety Excellence Award for 2025 at the Titanium with Honors level. This was the eighth year in a row Herkimer BOCES has won the award, and fourth straight year winning it at the highest Titanium with Honors level. Pictured, the Herkimer BOCES Safety Services team poses with the 2025 award, and the previous seven awards are on the wall behind them. From left: School Safety Advisor James Garcia, Supervisor of Safety Services Adam Hutchinson, PBIS Coordinator Kellie Maxwell and School Facilities Advisor Donald Maxwell.