Michael Capuana, Ed.D., is the district superintendent of the First Supervisory District of Erie County and chief executive officer of Erie 1 Board of Cooperative Educational Services (Erie 1 BOCES). As district superintendent, Dr. Capuana is a field representative for the New York State Commissioner of Education to the region’s 19 component school districts as well as Buffalo Public Schools. In addition, he oversees the instructional, managerial, and technology services that Erie 1 BOCES provides directly to school districts across the region.
Dr. Capuana has worked for Erie 1 BOCES since 2009, and most recently served as assistant superintendent of instructional services, where he oversaw the performance of students, staff and administration in the divisions of Career and Technical Education, Exceptional Education, and Workforce Development.
Prior to that role, Dr. Capuana’s work at Erie 1 BOCES included time as a director for the organization’s Career and Technical Education division, and he also served as a building administrator at Northtowns Academy as well as Potter Career and Technical Center. Before arriving at Erie 1 BOCES, Dr. Capuana worked as an English teacher for Buffalo Public Schools and the Depew Union Free School District.
Dr. Capuana received his Bachelor of Arts, Master of English Education, Master of Educational Administration and Doctorate of Educational Administration degrees from the University of Buffalo.
The Role of a District Superintendent
A district superintendent is the chief executive officer of a BOCES and the general supervising officer of the supervisory district that comprises the BOCES. The district superintendent is responsible for both the BOCES and its component districts, and also performs duties assigned by the commissioner of education, serving as the State Education Department’s field representative in the supervisory district.
For no additional cost the district superintendent provides:
Liaison Services - Facilitates communications between New York State Education Department and local districts, as well as other public and private agencies.
Superintendent Search - Upon request, the district superintendent may assist component school districts in their selection process of a new school superintendent. The district superintendent at Erie 1 BOCES may serve as a consultant to recruitment, screening and evaluation of candidates.
Consultant - Drawing from various resources the district superintendent is available to consult with school districts on a variety of educational topics including:
Board-Administration Relationships
NYS Board of Regents Standards
Interpret and Clarify SED Commissioner’s Regulations
James Fregelette is the executive director of administration and operations at Erie1 BOCES. He has been with Erie 1 BOCES for more than 30 years. At Erie 1 BOCES, Jim is responsible for oversight of the organization’s business office and financial affairs. In addition, he oversees the planning, purchasing and effective utilization of technology and information systems used by the organization.
Elizabeth Freas, Ed.D., is responsible for planning, personnel, program management, school relations, and the fiscal management of those services. She has been with Erie 1 BOCES since 2013, most recently serving as a director of instructional technology and professional development.
Anedda Trautman is responsible for the performance of students, staff and administration within divisions of Career and Technical Education, Exceptional Education and Workforce Development. She has been with Erie 1 BOCES since 2017, most recently serving as a director for the organization’s Career and Technical Education division.
Kelly Eisenried provides legal advice and counsel on a broad range of issues to the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education, administration and leadership staff. Kelly has been with Erie 1 BOCES since 2013, most recently serving as director of Human Resources. In this role, Kelly will also oversee the divisions of Human Resources and Labor Relation Services.
