Trumansburg board taps BOCES to run semi‑closed superintendent search; accepts superintendent’s resignation

The Trumansburg Central School District Board of Education voted to appoint Lily Talcott, TST BOCES district superintendent, as a consultant to lead a semi‑closed search for the district’s next superintendent and accepted the resignation of current Superintendent Kimberly Bell, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Talcott, who introduced herself to the board and community during the Sept. 16 meeting, described four search options — promotion from within, a board-conducted search, an outside consultant and a BOCES‑led search — and recommended a semi‑closed process that combines confidential screening with stakeholder input at the finalist stage. “I grew up in this area and have a deep commitment to our community,” Talcott said, explaining her approach to designing brochures, screening interviews and gathering stakeholder feedback.

Board members framed the BOCES option as cost‑effective and timely. The board approved the motion to appoint a BOCES‑led, semi‑closed search after discussion and a recorded consent vote. The meeting record shows the motion carried.

Separately, the board accepted Superintendent Kimberly Bell’s resignation/retirement effective Jan. 1, 2025. Members praised Bell’s years of service and noted she has offered to assist with the transition after her retirement, should the district need support.

Why it matters: The board’s decision sets the district on a semi‑closed search track, which aims to balance candidate confidentiality with community input; the choice of a BOCES consultant indicates the board is prioritizing regional expertise and a search timeline that can meet the district’s staffing deadlines.

What’s next: Talcott outlined a typical sequence — announcement and brochure, recruitment and screening interviews, stakeholder input (including surveys or ThoughtExchange-type tools), finalist interviews for small community groups, and contract negotiation — and said that the BOCES administrative time is covered by existing regional budgets. The board directed staff to proceed with the semi‑closed search process under the BOCES consultation.

Votes at a glance: The board recorded motions, seconds and voice votes approving the appointment and accepting the superintendent’s resignation; the transcript indicates motions carried but does not provide a roll‑call tally in the public record.