Annual BOCES Education Consortium meeting recap

At NYSSBA’s annual conference in New York City on Oct. 20, 2024, BOCES board members and district superintendents from around the state met for an annual update on the work of the BOCES Education Consortium (BEC).

A table is shown with BOCES of NYS pamphlets, pens, stickers, notepads, along with an informative display of information about BOCES of NYS mission presented on a banner stand.

At NYSSBA’s annual conference in New York City on Oct. 20, 2024, BOCES board members and district superintendents from around the state met for an annual update on the work of the BOCES Education Consortium (BEC).

BOCES of NYS legislative consultant Julie Marlette from Hinman Straub provided a recap of the 2024 legislative session and BOCES of NYS advocacy efforts including: Foundation Aid; Career and Technical Education tuition reimbursement; successful extensions of the authorization of long-term private sector BOCES leases and out of state services; and shared procurement policies.

Updates on negotiations to improve the new laws requiring the appointment of student board members to boards of education were also shared. Legislation awaiting gubernatorial action that would shorten anatomization periods for zero-emission buses and set maximum allowable temperatures in classrooms were also discussed.

Hinman was joined by Brian Fessler from NYSSBA, Greg Berck from NYSCOSS and Brian Cechnicki from ASBO, to discuss upcoming education-related legislation that could impact BOCES, schools and education in New York this coming year.

BOCES leadership and association partners also fielded several questions from BOCES board members related to new laws and the upcoming legislative session.