Courtesy WSWHE BOCES
The Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES has named Dr. Turina Parker as the new WSWHE BOCES district superintendent and chief executive officer.
Parker has been assistant superintendent for educational and support programs for the WSWHE BOCES. She is set to begin her official duties as district superintendent on Aug. 16.
She replaces James Dexter, who is retiring in August after 12 years of service to WSWHE BOCES.
“Dr. Parker has demonstrated the ability to lead and work cooperatively across the region,” WSWHE BOCES President John A. Rieger said. “We are confident that Dr. Parker will build on our successes, fulfill our strategic plans, and provide a vision that will take the organization to the next level and provide even stronger support and opportunities for the education of our children and the school districts that we serve.”
With a career spanning 20 years, Parker is an experienced school district leader, with a passion for leading and supporting schools. She previously served as Director of Day Treatment and Principal at St. Catherine’s R. & E. May School in Albany, where her experience also included serving as the coordinator for curriculum and assistant principal.
She has served as assistant superintendent for educational and support programs for the past 14 years, including serving as principal for special programs, executive principal, and executive director for educational and support programs.
Her leadership experience includes directing the Early College Career Academy, as well as the school support services, personnel development, and employment training for adults divisions of WSWHE BOCES. She serves as a member of the Saratoga-Warren-Washington Workforce Development Board, and has maintained responsibilities for supporting students and leading principals, central office administrators and instructional personnel and classified staff.
Additionally, Parker teaches graduate students as an adjunct instructor at SUNY Plattsburgh.
“I am honored to serve the BOCES in this new capacity,” she said. “As district superintendent, I plan to nurture our valued partnerships with the component school districts and the community to provide opportunities for student success and local workforce development.”
Parker earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Master of Science degree in educational administration, and Master of Science degree in curriculum development and instructional technology from SUNY Albany. She earned a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Walden University. She is an alumnus of the state superintendent development program through SUNY Oswego.
She lives in Ballston Lake with her husband and has two daughters.
Officials said the search for a new district superintendent began in early 2022. The search process was guided by feedback received through a community survey which drew nearly 200 responses from area board of education members, school administrators, BOCES employees, students, community members and others. During the search process, Parker interviewed with the WSWHE BOCES board as well as with the superintendents of the component school districts, and other stakeholder groups. She was one of four candidates interviewed for the position.
She also recently met with the state Commissioner of Education for a final interview and assessment of her qualifications and experience. As BOCES district superintendents serve a dual role acting as both the chief executive officer of a local BOCES and as the regional representative of the Commissioner of Education, the approval of the commissioner was required.