OGDENSBURG -- St. Lawrence-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) welcomed over 600 faculty, staff and administrators earlier this month to the opening day ceremony held at Ogdensburg Free Academy’s auditorium.

The  celebration marked the start of the academic year for the staffers who work for schools in the 18 BOCES component districts throughout St. Lawrence and Lewis counties.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Darin Saiff made opening remarks, along with District Superintendent Thomas Burns and Board of Education President Roger Bennett.

“Opening day gives us all the opportunity to reflect on what we accomplished last year and look forward to our goals for the new school year,” said Saiff.

Four employees received special recognition for exceptional service and dedication to the BOCES mission. Stephen Putman, Sara Lamica, Carrie Lake, and Mark Crandall were presented with awards. Additionally, Jamie Tupper, an alumna of BOCES Southwest Technical Education Center and Gouverneur Central School, was honored with a Hall of Fame Award for her contributions to her community.

Several BOCES employees were recognized for their years of dedicated service.

For more information about St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES, please visit www.sllboces.org.