Area 1 (Erie 1) BOCES outlines services, says new special-education campus will open in 2027
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Summary
Area 1 BOCES Superintendent Dr. Michael Capuata told the Depew board that the regional service agency supports 19 component districts and plans a new K–12 special-education campus slated to open in 2027 that will add capacity for about 180 students and include CTE and life-skills spaces.
Dr. Michael Capuata, district superintendent for Area 1 BOCES, briefed the Depew Union Free School District Board of Education on the BOCES’ regional services and a planned new campus intended to expand special-education capacity.
“Ultimately, that is driven by understanding and responding, anticipating the needs of the school systems and our students across the region,” Capuata said, describing Area 1 as an “extension of your school district” that provides administration, technology (RIC), career and technical education, exceptional education and workforce-development programs. He said Area 1 supports 19 component districts and the RIC serves technology needs for about 100 districts across Western New York.
Capuata told the board that Depew’s share of state aid for the 2024–25 school year was “just over $1,200,000,” with an aid ratio “just under 70%.” He said the new campus — under development for three years — will open in 2027, add capacity for “close to 180” additional students in exceptional education and include classrooms, breakout cafeteria space, a theater, a salon/barbershop and a small apartment for older students preparing for independent living.
Area 1’s new campus will consolidate programs now housed in leased buildings across multiple districts, Capuata said, allowing those districts to reclaim their facilities while expanding regional placements in a single, purpose-built site. The campus will also house some career-and-technical programs, with close to 30 CTE offerings regionally and 98 Depew students currently enrolled in Erie 1 CTE programs, Capuata said.
Capuata said the project team has worked with Buffalo Construction Consultants on an RFP and has received bids; district partners are assisting with budgeting. He described the campus as “a destination campus” that will serve K–12 special-education needs and provide related services.
The board asked about linking student transcripts and records more seamlessly with higher-education systems; Capuata said conversations have started about connecting the RIC work with SUNY and other systems but flagged technical and transfer-of-record challenges when students change districts.
The presentation included an offer to return with additional details and to host board members at Area 1 BOCES meetings and the campus as plans develop.