SBI Honors Retiring RSCSD Educator

Provided Photo

By Bryon Ackerman

The Oneida-Madison- Herkimer Counties School Boards Institute recently presented its 2026 Student Achievement Awards and Distinguished Service Awards to students and school officials in the region.

This year’s event also included a special recognition for James Van Wormer, who has worked in local education for 53 years including serving the past 18 years as the O-MH SBI executive coordinator.

Van Wormer received both a Distinguished Service Award and the New York State School Board Association’s Crystal Apple Award, which is presented in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding leadership and service to the students of New York state.

During the event, Van Wormer spoke to the room full of school officials, teachers, counselors and students.

He thanked the SBI and NYSSBA for the awards and thanked his family and others. Van Wormer said he appreciates the award.

“But this award should go to everyone,” Van Wormer said. “You are the people who deserve this award. You are the people that are there daily working to make sure that your students succeed.”

The O-M-H SBI includes 35 school districts in Herkimer- Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES, Oneida-Herkimer- Madison BOCES and Madison-Oneida BOCES. New York State School Boards Association Area 5 Director William Miller and Member Relations Manager Patrick Longo presented Van Wormer with the Crystal Apple Award. ...

Photo Caption: Oneida-Madison-Herkimer Counties School Boards Institute 2026 Distinguished Service Awards were given out at the Twin Ponds Golf and Country Club in New York Mills. Winners, pictured from left: Thomas Piatti, Richfield Springs Central School District superintendent; William Dowsland, Hamilton Central School District superintendent; Pamela Dymes, Stockbridge Valley Central School District secretary to the superintendent/district clerk; James Van Wormer, former Oneida-Madison-Herkimer Counties School Boards Institute executive coordinator; Brian Bellair, Whitesboro Central School District superintendent, and Julia Scranton, Clinton Central School District secretary to the superintendent/district clerk.