Edward J. Zero Edward J. Zero, Superintendent of Eastern Suffolk BOCES, and Interim Superintendent of Western Suffolk BOCES and Nassau BOCES, has received the 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. award from the Suffolk County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. The awards luncheon, held at the Hyatt Wind Watch Hotel in Hauppauge, celebrated 20 years of continuous commitment to the principles and philosophies of Dr. King. Zero became district superintendent in 2006 after serving as executive director of the Long Island Regional School Support Center, established by New York State Education Department's (NYSED) Office of School Improvement. Additionally, he helped conceive and nurture the Long Island Regional Strategic Planning Network, a collaborative, cohesive network of technical assistance providers with the vision to build the capacity of NYSED-identified schools targeted by the executive committee to help students reach the state learning standards and close documented gaps in student performance. "Through my work in public education, I am able to approach and appreciate Dr. King's words from a front row seat," Mr. Zero told the nearly 300 guests attending the luncheon. "I work with gifted, talented educators who have dedicated their lives to making today better than yesterday. Talented, promising students are struggling in schools of high need with various issues that can be avoided or minimized by additional or more equalized funding. This is an issue about which we are passionate."