TST BOCES Appoints New District Superintendent
The Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Board of Education is excited to announce the appointment of Ms. Lily Talcott as the new District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer of TST BOCES.
Talcott, who has served as deputy superintendent in the Ithaca City School District since 2018, was officially appointed this morning by the TST BOCES Board of Education.
“We are delighted to welcome Lily [Talcott] as our new district superintendent”, Linda Competillo, President of the TST Board of Education, said. "The candidate pool for the position was stellar, but she truly stood out as the best fit to join our ‘TST family’”. We are excited about what we will accomplish together in the years ahead!”
Talcott will succeed Dr. Jeffrey Matteson, who transitioned to the role of Senior Deputy Commissioner at the New York State Education Department in December 2023.
The search for a new district superintendent began in late 2023, with the position advertised through national and state professional organizations, as well as various print and online publications. The search process was enriched by community feedback collected through a robust Thought Exchange, resulting in a strong pool of candidates. Talcott was selected after a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation process.
Following her selection by the Board of Education, Talcott underwent a final interview and assessment with the New York State Commissioner of Education. As BOCES district superintendents serve dual roles—both as the chief executive officer of a local BOCES and as the regional representative of the Commissioner of Education—approval from the Commissioner is mandatory before finalizing the appointment. The Commissioner subsequently endorsed Talcott's appointment.
"I am deeply honored to serve the young people, staff, families, and community of Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES, as well as our region and state," stated Talcott. "Having spent most of my life here, it's important to me to give back to the community that shaped me. I'm looking forward to working in partnership with the people of this great place to create a wonderful future for our children. I am thrilled for this opportunity."
Talcott holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wells College, a Master of Science degree from Syracuse University, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from the State University of New York at Cortland.
Talcott will officially begin her role as district superintendent on August 1, 2024.