Education leaders from across the state gathered in Buffalo last week as the city hosted the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) Annual Convention & Education Expo from Oct. 22 to 24 at the Buffalo Convention Center.

The major annual event brought together school board members, superintendents, and regional education advocates to discuss emerging approaches, policy updates, and pathways to student success.

Among the prominent leaders in attendance was Dr. Michael Capuana, Ed.D., who serves as the District Superintendent and CEO of Erie 1 BOCES. In his regional role, Capuana operates as the field representative for the New York State Commissioner of Education (NYSED) for Western New York.

As part of the regional convention events, education officials toured Frontier Central School District facilities to see innovative programming firsthand. At Frontier, leaders explored the district's Universal Pre-K program, the specialized curriculum at the Big Picture High School, and the district's newly completed technology wing.

The visiting delegation also toured Frontier’s athletic fields and received an inside look at the district's acclaimed NASA HUNCH team, which allows students to design and fabricate real-world hardware for the International Space Station.

Frontier Central School District Superintendent Christopher J. Swiatek noted that the visit served as a powerful showcase for the community's recent advancements.

"This was a spectacular opportunity to showcase all the deliberate investments our district has made," Swiatek said. "We have worked hard to ensure we are a district that invests in the overall student experience, supporting our kids from their first days in Pre-K all the way through to high school graduation."

The convention and local site tours provided a platform for statewide educational leaders to explore regional innovations firsthand, highlighting the strong connection between state education initiatives and Frontier’s specialized student programs.