Dr. Clark Godshall, Senior New York State BOCES District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer of the Orleans/Niagara (O/N) BOCES announced his retirement effective June 30, 2024 after 53 years as an educator and 43 years as a school administrator. For the past 24 years, he was responsible for the educational services for over 30,000 students at the O/N BOCES, which is the 13th largest BOCES out of 37 statewide. He was an interim District Superintendent at five other statewide BOCES. As the BOCES District Superintendent, he served as the New York State Commissioner of Education’s local representative.
A former high school science teacher, he instructed biology, chemistry and earth science in the Hilton Central School District and started his administrative career as the Assistant Superintendent for the Penn Yan Central School District in Central, New York.
He has instructed as an adjunct professor for the educational administration program at SUNY Brockport and as a clinical professor of Doctoral candidates at the University of Rochester. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from St. John Fisher College, Master’s and Doctorate Degrees from the University of Rochester and a certificate in labor relations from the Cornell University Industrial Labor Relations School.
Dr. Godshall has been an active and involved member of multiple professional associations at the local, state, and international levels where he usually ascends to the top leadership positions. He is a six-time recipient of American School and University Management Effectiveness Awards. He is the past recipient of the New York State ASBO Outstanding Service Award, Women in Administration Leadership Award; PDK Leadership Award, Niagara University Administrator of the Year award and the 2014 New York State School Superintendent of the Year. He has been a County Chairman for the American Red Cross, an elected Fire Commissioner and consultant to many educational organizations. He is a frequent author and presenter on educational management/governance topics. He is the only school administrator to have served as the President of the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS), the New York State Association of School Business Officials (NYASBO) and the International Association of School Business Officials (IASBO). He is the chairperson of the Genesee Community College Advisory Board for Albion and Medina campuses and volunteers on the Orleans Community Health Foundation Board.
New York Commissioner of Education, Dr. Betty Rosa stated that, “Dr. Clark Godshall has been a role model for school leaders across New York State and nationally. His service to the community, school districts and educators in pursuit of higher achievement levels and student success are praised and we thank him for his long tenure of educational leadership”.
He has completed over seventy-six chief school officer searches and multiple association executive director searches. He often leads expert teams into less than successful schools to conduct School under Registration Reviews (SURR) across New York State. Most recently, he was named the Distinguished Alumni from St. John Fisher College and the Superintendent of the Year by the New York State School Business Officials (NYSASBO).
During his free time, Dr. Godshall is an officer (Commodore) with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadron for which he has been recognized for his humanitarian efforts while holding various leadership positions. He graciously gives of his time in support of active duty military personnel across the United States. Clark is a qualified sea captain and a third generation Kentucky Colonel. . He has been cited as a staunch advocate of the arts including local theatrical productions; the Buffalo and Rochester Philharmonic and Shea’s performing theater.
Dr. Godshall says he would like to thank the staff, our component districts and Board of Education for their dedication, support and friendship over the years. “It has been an honor to work with all of you. I am ready for the next chapter of my life and I am looking forward to spending time with my amazing wife Barb, my family and friends. I consider myself very fortunate to have worked in a career that I have loved and to work with others who feel the same about what they do day in and day out for children. I am very proud of what we have accomplished here at Orleans/Niagara BOCES and wish everyone continued success.”
Dr. Taweepon Farrar will be taking over as District Superintendent on August 14th.