Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Boces Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
BOCES outlines new learning-center moves, warns Starpoint of higher BOCES costs if approved
Summary
A BOCES presentation to the Starpoint board described relocations of learning centers and program expansions that would increase classroom space and integration but raise BOCES rent and Starpoint's projected administrative costs (Starpoint cited a ~12% increase); changes are subject to a component-district vote April 21.
A regional BOCES delegation told the Starpoint Central School District board that planned relocations of several learning centers and expansion of career and special-education programs would create larger classrooms and more integrated services, but would also raise costs for component districts if the plan is approved.
At the meeting the BOCES representative outlined that the proposal would move programs into larger facilities such as the Ransomville (Tonawanda Creek) Learning Center and expand ancillary and related services. "The classrooms are much larger than what we have right now," the presenter said, and added the changes would provide private conference spaces, faculty rooms and more opportunities for integration.
The BOCES presenter and Dr. Melanie Connolly, executive director of business and operational services, said those benefits come with higher rent and administrative costs. Connolly told the board the plan would raise the BOCES administrative budget on average about 10.86% across the 13 component districts and that Starpoint's share was projected at about 12% based on resident-weighted average daily attendance. "This is all subject to our component-district vote, of course, on April 21," she said.
Board members pressed the presenters on enrollment and special-education trends. The BOCES representative acknowledged that while general enrollment across the region has declined, referrals and classifications for special-education services have increased, driving demand for more FTE special-education slots and related services.
BOCES also described a new exploratory CTE program for ninth and tenth graders to pilot exposure to multiple trade pathways. A CTE presenter said the program was being promoted and could be offered as a half-year morning option if districts can accommodate it.
The presentation prompted fiscal questions from the board about how additional CTE seats and transportation needs could increase bus runs and staffing costs. The presenters said such logistics and costs would be part of the district-level and component-district deliberations ahead of the April vote.
Next steps: the BOCES plan will be brought to component districts for a vote on April 21; if approved, Starpoint will see higher BOCES charges and rent-related budget impacts reflected in next year's planning.
