“Meghan Lekkas brings expertise in school finance, operational leadership, and regional service development,” Questar III BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Gladys I. Cruz said. “Her experience across both BOCES and school district settings positions her to strengthen the systems and services that support our component districts and, ultimately, the students we serve. We are excited to have Meghan return to Questar III.”

Lekkas brings nearly two decades of experience in public finance and educational leadership. She earned her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo, her MBA from Union College, and her School District Business Leader Certification from The College of Saint Rose. During her early career at Questar III BOCES, Lekkas also became a Certified Public Accountant.

She began her professional career as a tax accountant and municipal auditor before transitioning into school finance. In 2006, Lekkas joined Questar III BOCES as an internal auditor, working with districts across New York state. After several years in that role, she moved into the Questar III Business Office, where she managed millions of dollars in state and federal grant funding and partnered closely with program managers and administrators to support instructional and operational needs.

During her time at Questar III, Lekkas helped develop and expand the Asset Management Service. She went on to launch the Central Business Office Service and later became Questar III’s first Financial Services Director. In that role, she oversaw six statewide services, served as Business Manager for Tech Valley High School, and acted as Treasurer for the Questar III Education Foundation.

In 2016, Lekkas joined the Rensselaer City School District as Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations. She oversaw the district’s budget and business office operations, as well as facilities, transportation, and food service. During her tenure, she led a comprehensive financial turnaround, stabilizing cash flow, reducing reliance on fund balance and reserves, and navigating significant fiscal and operational challenges while maintaining a focus on student programming and services.

“My pathway into education began through public accounting, where I developed expertise in financial systems and accountability,” Lekkas said. “When I transitioned to working with school districts, I quickly realized the powerful connection between strong fiscal stewardship and student success. Supporting educational programs through sound financial leadership felt purposeful and impactful.”

Lekkas noted that her previous experience at Questar III shaped her professional values and deepened her appreciation for regional collaboration.

“Having previously served at Questar III BOCES, I developed a deep appreciation for its mission, culture of innovation, and commitment to regional collaboration,” she said. “Returning in this capacity feels like a full-circle opportunity.”

Her career has allowed her to serve in multiple capacities, including auditor, grant manager, service developer, financial director, School Business Official, and Assistant Superintendent. She said those varied perspectives have strengthened her ability to think strategically, manage complex systems, and lead through adversity while protecting student-focused programming.

New Visions programs, offered by Questar III BOCES, provide high school seniors with valuable insight into career opportunities from a real-world perspective. A one-year, honors-level, half-day program, New Visions turns area businesses, healthcare facilities, and community spaces into classrooms for highly motivated, academically successful students. This program provides seniors with a college level learning experience, preparing them with the pace, rigor, and expectations they’ll face the following year.

Questar III BOCES currently offers seven New Visions programs in eight locations:

• Business, Finance, and Marketing – Columbia-Greene Community College, Hudson
• Emergency Preparedness, Informatics, Cyber, and Homeland Security – UAlbany ETEC Building, Albany
• Medical – Samaritan Hospital, Troy (Rensselaer County students) and Columbia-Greene Community College, Hudson (Columbia and Greene County students)
• Pathways in Education – UAlbany, Albany
• Scientific Research and World Health – UAlbany’s Health Sciences Campus, Rensselaer
• STEM – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy
• Visual and Performing Arts – The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy

These programs accept a limited number of students from across our region and require an application process. Class of 2027 students interested in attending next year should have a conversation with their school counselor immediately and sign up to attend a Family Information Session in January. Following the Information Session, students will be required to submit an application by Monday, January 26, 2026. This includes references from teachers.

Family Information Sessions – registration required: 

• January 12, 2026 at 6pm
  • Scientific Research and World Health – UAlbany Health Sciences Campus, Rensselaer or Virtually
  • Visual and Performing Arts – The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy or Virtually
• January 13, 2026 at 6pm
  • Business, Finance, and Marketing – Columbia-Greene Community Collage or Virtually
  • Medical (Columbia and Greene County students) – Columbia Greene Community College or Virtually
• January 14, 2026 at 6pm
  • Pathways in Education – Virtually
  • STEM – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Virtually
• January 15, 2026
  • Emergency Preparedness, Informatics, Cyber, and Homeland Security – UAlbany ETEC Building or Virtually
  • Medical (Rensselaer County students) – Samaritan Hospital or Virtually

Take a deeper dive into the program you’re interested in by watching our videos. Here, you’ll get a program overview and hear testimonials from our students.

Student interviews will be held in February and March, with accepted students being contacted in April. For any questions, please contact NVTeachers@questar.org and include the program in the subject.

“Kevin Kolakowski brings a combination of instructional expertise, leadership, and a longstanding commitment to CTE,” Questar III BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Gladys I. Cruz said. “We are thrilled to welcome him to Questar III and look forward to seeing the impact his leadership will have on students, component school districts, and the broader community.”

Kolakowski has more than two decades of experience as an educator and leader, with a career spanning classroom instruction, district leadership, and advocacy for CTE.

He began his career as a science teacher after earning his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Science from SUNY Cortland. He also earned his Certificate of Advanced Study in School District Administration.

His professional experience includes being an Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and most recently, Superintendent of the Mechanicville City School District. Across these roles, Kolakowski led curriculum and instructional initiatives, supervised district-wide technology upgrades, oversaw major capital projects, coordinated K-12 programming, and guided data privacy and IT operations. He has remained closely connected to STEM, innovation, and instructional technology throughout his career.

“Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of serving in regional roles, as well, including committee work with NYSED, CTE advocacy through the WSWHE BOCES regional committee, and leadership within the WASAREN League,” he said. “These experiences have given me a strong foundation for working collaboratively across districts to support students and staff.”

Kolakowski’s passion for education began with a belief in the power of learning environments that evolve alongside a rapidly changing world.

“I was drawn to education by a deep love for developing learning experiences that reflect a rapidly changing world, especially one shaped by new technologies and emerging workforce demands,” he said. “I also credit the teachers and coaches who supported me throughout my own educational and professional journey. Their impact instilled in me the value of mentorship, the power of relationships, and the responsibility we have as educators to guide students toward success. That combination – a passion for innovation and the influence of strong role models – ultimately led me to pursue a career where I could help build programs that prepare students for the future.”

Kolakowski noted that Questar III is, “uniquely positioned to support districts through innovative pathways, workforce-aligned programs, and adult education services that meet the needs of our region. Stepping into a role that blends leadership, innovation, CTE expansion, and regional impact felt like the perfect fit and a meaningful next step in my journey.”

He will oversee Career and Technical Education, Adult Education, and Innovative High School programs, helping expand opportunities for students and strengthen partnerships with businesses, higher education, and regional stakeholders.

Questar III BOCES Communications Team, L-R: Debra Bell, Dan Sherman, Brian Radewitz, Candace Krell, Adam Charbonneau, Jillian Shuhart, and Aaron Bogert. Not pictured: Thomas Esposito and Kim Vigars.

The Questar III BOCES Communications team recently attended the National School Public Relations Association’s National Seminar in Washington, D.C. At the event, Questar III BOCES was recognized for earning several awards for materials cultivated for our BOCES, as well as the school districts the Communications Department serves.

Congratulations to the Communications team, superintendents, schools, and districts on your award winning work!

Financial Publication Award of Excellence

• 2025-26 Tentative Budget
• Dan Sherman, Strategic Communications Officer, Questar III BOCES; Kim Vigars, Graphic Designer, Questar III BOCES

Newsletter Award of Excellence

• Hudson City School District Newsletter
• Avi Ream, former Communications Technician, Questar III BOCES; Dr. Pennyman, Superintendent, Hudson City School District

Photography Award of Excellence

• Welding in CTE
• Jillian Shuhart, Communications Specialist, Questar III BOCES

Podcast Award of Excellence

• The Future of Technology in Schools – Averill Park Central School District
• Brian Radewitz, Director of Communications, Questar III BOCES; Dr. Franchini, Superintendent, Averill Park Central School District

Calendar Award of Merit

• Questar III BOCES 2024-25 Calendar
• Jillian Shuhart, Communications Specialist, Questar III BOCES; Kim Vigars, Graphic Designer, Questar III BOCES

Writing Award of Merit

• Cultivating Our Future Leadership
• Gladys I. Cruz, District Superintendent, Questar III BOCES

Video (produced in-house) Honorable Mention

• Special Education at Marilyn A. Noonan School
• Candace Krell, Communications Specialist, Questar III BOCES

Writing Honorable Mention

• Financial Literacy
• Gladys I. Cruz, District Superintendent, Questar III BOCES

Find a list of students and their presentation topics below the video.

• 0:00:05– Joshua Naraine, Germantown CSD, “Cryptids”
• 0:17:06– Jennifer Albrecht, Chatham CSD, “Cults”
• 0:33:39– Hailey Laranjo, Troy CSD, “Ghosts”
• 0:58:40– Emily Gaylord, Chatham CSD, “Mindset”
• 1:12:49– Ava Edmond, Catskill CSD, “Music”
• 1:28:33– Erik Kirch, Catskill CSD, “Marketing”

Hoosic Valley Central School District at the 2025 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals.

May 21-24, 2025, three Questar III BOCES teams participated in the 2025 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Michigan State University. The opportunity to compete came after strong performances in the Regional and Statewide competitions earlier this year. Congratulations to all teams for a job well done, and congratulations to Hoosic Valley Central School District for placing in the top five! Hoosic Valley CSD was acknowledged with teams from around the world during the closing ceremonies.

• Hoosic Valley High School (4th Place) – Problem 3, Division 3
• Questar III and HVCC STEM High School (19th) – Problem 3, Division 3
• Lansingburgh High School (24th Place) – Problem 1, Division 3

Results and awards from the 2025 World Finals can be found here: https://www.nyodyssey.org/results-states.

Questar III and HVCC STEM High School

Lansingburgh High School