 2008 – 2009 BOCES Opening Day
Orange-Ulster BOCES held their opening day ceremony on Tuesday, September 2nd. Terrence L. Olivo, COO and Carl P. Onken, President welcomed 1,200 plus BOCES employees to the new school year. Recognition was given to 87 staff employees for their 10, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service.
It is fitting that the 2008-2009 school year was launched at Goshen Historic Track. For approximately 20 plus years the BOCES Vo-Tech Center (now the Career and Technical Education Center) operated a Horse Care and Handling program at the track. One of the larger barns is still called the “BOCES Barn” and the classrooms still remain on the upper floor of the barn.
Amy Bull Crist (1906 – 1995), the “first lady of Orange County,” was instrumental in the establishment of Orange-Ulster BOCES and was also extremely influential in the preservation and expansion of the Goshen Historic Track and Hall of Fame.
 Mrs. Crist served as the first District Superintendent in Orange County and was a pioneer in education in the Mid-Hudson region. She began her career in education as a teacher in the Goosetown School in Hamptonburgh and the Cross Roads School in Montgomery, both one-room schoolhouses. She was principal of the Goodwill School, and in 1940, she made local history when she was appointed the first District Superintendent in Orange County. She held the position of District Superintendent from 1940 to 1974. She touched the lives of thousands of students during her professional career as a teacher, principal and finally District Superintendent. Her vision included comprehensive education for all young people. Programs for the gifted, the average student, as well as students with special needs were initiated under her leadership and still flourish today.
One of Amy’s passions was the Goshen Historic Track, of which she was the vice president for many years. She was active right to the end of her life; in fact, she was planning on attending the harness racing season premier the week she died.
Orange-Ulster BOCES Mission Statement
The mission of the Orange-Ulster BOCESis to serve our component districts and community in the development of continuous learners who will be successful in meeting the challenges of living in our society today and in the future.
We will accomplish this mission in a cost-effective manner with a dedicated, skilled caring staff providing quality educational services in a safe, nurturing and accessible environment.
- Text and photos courtesy of Betsy Xanthis, Orange-Ulster BOCES |
