Tomlinson to retire after nearly 20 years as Broadalbin-Perth superintendent of schools

Broadalbin-Perth Superintendent of Schools Stephen Tomlinson has announced his plans to retire as head of the district on or about March 25, 2027.

Tomlinson has served as B-P’s superintendent since December 2007. In total, he has dedicated 34 years of service to his alma mater and school community, serving as assistant superintendent for business and operations, primary school principal, and middle school physical education teacher before stepping into the superintendency.

“After growing up in the village of Broadalbin and spending every day of my life in this community, it has been the honor of a lifetime to lead our schools for the past two decades,” Tomlinson said. “I strongly believe that the school district is responsible for the development of our community’s youth, and my leadership has always been guided by the principle of doing what is best for the kids and families of the Broadalbin-Perth school community.”

During his time as superintendent of schools, Broadalbin-Perth has developed a reputation for excellence by offering students a well-rounded educational experience. The district consistently has one of the highest graduation rates in the Greater Capital Region (96% in 2025) and offers extensive elective, college, and Advanced Placement courses, as well as extracurricular and athletic programs that give all students opportunities, no matter their interests. In recent years, Tomlinson has personally championed the district’s Patriot Academy, construction and skilled trades program, the science research program’s floating classroom on the Great Sacandaga Lake, fishing club, and competitive trap shooting team, as well as expanded athletic opportunities, including several merged sports teams with neighboring school districts.

“Stephen’s tenure is genuinely rare and has been a remarkable period of stability, innovation, and student-centered leadership,” said Board of Education President Ed Szumowski. “His steady hand and his belief in our students and staff have helped shape the district we know today, and his influence will endure long after his retirement.”

Tomlinson’s leadership has been marked by strong school/community relations. Annual district events, including the Senior Citizens Prom and Veterans Day Recognition Program, bring residents into the schools and connect them with current students. Tomlinson remains heavily involved in the Broadalbin Youth Commission, an organization he led throughout the 1990s, which provides recreational and competitive sports programs for children as young as three years old.

Under Tomlinson, Broadalbin-Perth has completed more than $100 million in capital improvement projects, maintaining safe and modern facilities for both learning and athletic competition. Tomlinson also spearheaded the addition of two school resource officers through a partnership with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, increasing the district’s focus on safety and security.

The district has accomplished all of this while remaining one of the most fiscally conservative school districts in the state. During the 2023-24 school year, the most recent year for which finalized data is available, B-P’s per-pupil expenditure was $22,369, which makes the district more fiscally efficient than 93% of the 666 school districts in New York State, and the most cost-effective in the HFM BOCES region. 

A 1987 graduate of the former Broadalbin High School, Tomlinson earned an associate degree from Fulton-Montgomery Community College and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from SUNY Cortland. He earned both a master’s degree in curriculum development and instructional technology, as well as a certificate of advanced study in educational administration and policy studies, from the University at Albany.

The Board of Education will soon initiate a comprehensive search for the district’s next superintendent. The Board will accept applications through October, with interviews through the end of 2026. The Board plans to appoint Tomlinson’s successor in early 2027.