Orleans/Niagara BOCES announces new district superintendent
Dr. Taweepon Farrar will succeed Dr. Clark Godshall, who is retiring after leading the local BOCES for 24 years
Dr. Taweepon Farrar
MEDINA – The Orleans/Niagara BOCES has announced its new district superintendent. Dr. Taweepon “Pon” Farrar, current superintendent at West Valley, will succeed Dr. Clark Godshall, who is retiring after leading the local BOCES the past 24 years.
The O/N BOCES, with 30,000 students, is the 13th largest BOCES out of 37 statewide. The local BOCES includes three districts (Albion, Lyndonville and Medina) in Orleans County and 10 other districts in Niagara County.
The career and technical center for BOCES is in Medina on Shelby Basin Road. The program currently serves 1,700 students in CTE classes and another 500 in other special programs.
“Dr. Farrar has a proven track record of implementing strategic initiatives to improve student outcomes, enhance teacher performance and foster a positive learning environment,” according to an announcement on Wednesday from BOCES Board President Colleen Osborn and Board VP Wayne Wadhams. “She prides herself on being a visionary leader with a commitment to educational excellence, stakeholder engagement and community collaboration.”
Farrar joined West Valley Central School as superintendent in March 2021. The district is in Cattaraugus County.
Prior to West Valley, she served in multiple roles at Akron Central School: Director of Educational Services and District Data Coordinator, Director of Special Education, and High School Assistant Principal.
Prior to her roles in administration, Farrar was a school counselor and a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy. Dr. Farrar served for five years in the United States Navy.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Maryland, a Master of Science in School Administration and Supervision from Canisius College, and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN.
“The Board would like to welcome Dr. Farrar to the organization and we look forward to a bright future!” Osborn and Wadhams said in the letter announcing Farrar’s hiring.
