Orleans/Niagara BOCES wins safety award for 22nd straight year

Provided photo: Nancy Mattus and Michelle Ohar show off the team’s award.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

SHELBY – Congratulations to our Safety Risk Department who recently received the 2025 School Safety Excellence Award from the Utica National Insurance Group.

We are one of 156 school districts and BOCES in New York State to receive the titanium award with honors – the highest level presented. This makes the 22nd year that Orleans/Niagara BOCES has received this prestigious award.

A BOCES Safety Risk Team is a department within Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York State that provides schools with expert guidance and services to ensure a safe and compliant learning environment. These teams help districts with everything from emergency planning and regulatory compliance to environmental safety, staff training, and risk management. They act as a liaison with various government agencies and help schools prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Congratulations to our Safety Risk team of James Comb, Nancy Mattus, Paul Nawotka, Michelle Ohar and Dan Connolly (Director Facilities) and Dr. Melanie Conley (Director of Business Services) for a job well done! We are so proud of them!