Dr. Barbara Seals Nevergold of Buffalo Named BIG 5 Chairperson and Dr. Elizabeth Hallmark of Rochester named BIG 5 Vice Chairperson

For Release: July 2, 2018
Contact: Georgia M. Asciutto
(518) 465-4274

DR. BARBARA SEALS NEVERGOLD OF BUFFALO NAMED BIG 5 CHAIRPERSON AND DR. ELIZABETH HALLMARK OF ROCHESTER NAMED BIG 5 VICE CHAIRPERSON

The Conference of Big 5 School Districts announces the appointment of Dr. Barbara Seals Nevergold, President of the Buffalo Board of Education, as Chairperson of the Organization.  Dr. Elizabeth Hallmark, Commissioner of the Rochester Board of Education, will serve as Vice-Chairperson.  Their leadership terms were effective July 1, 2018.

The Conference of Big 5 School Districts is a membership organization representing New York’s urban school systems including the Buffalo, New York City, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers, Mount Vernon and Utica School Districts.  Collectively, 45% of the State’s public school children are educated in these districts.

The Big 5 organization has been advocating and promoting urban education issues for large city school districts since 1958.   In 2014, the organization expanded its scope by partnering with the Utica City School District, which is now an Affiliate Member.  The Mount Vernon School District joined as an Affiliate Member in February of this year.  The seven districts work together through the organization to speak with one voice on the needs and strengths of urban education in New York State.

Dr. Nevergold is a longstanding member of the Big 5 organization and previously served a term as Chairperson.  She is a graduate of the Buffalo Public Schools and Buffalo State College.  Chairperson Nevergold is also an alumnus of the University of Buffalo and earned Masters of Education degrees in French Education and Counseling Education.  In addition, she holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counseling Education.  Chairperson Nevergold has served in leadership roles on numerous local and national boards and is the recipient of many awards for her outstanding efforts and community service.

Dr. Hallmark has served on the Rochester Board of Education since 2016.  She earned her PhD in Education at the University of Rochester, her Masters in Dance Movement Therapy at Antioch New England, and her Bachelors in English from Mount Holyoke College.  She is a committed advocate for urban education and has received numerous grants from the New York State Council on the Arts, The Field, and the Rochester Area Community Foundation for her work in performing arts and arts-in-education.

Dr. Nevergold will serve as Chairperson and Dr. Hallmark will serve as Vice Chairperson until June 30, 2019.