Students and parents press district to expand BOCES seats; board weighs budget and process changes

Dozens of students, parents and teachers urged the South Orangetown Central School District board on Monday to change how it allocates limited seats in regional BOCES career and technical education programs, calling the district's new lottery process unfair and harmful to students who thrive in hands-on learning.

The most dramatic testimony came from Tappan Zee High School junior Kaylin Davis, who said she has pursued carpentry since middle school and asked the board to "invest in me" after she lost the district lottery for a BOCES spot. "I'm happiest when I'm working with my hands," she told the board.

The issue matters because interest from Tappan Zee students this year outstripped the number of spots the district budgeted. Parents at the meeting said roughly 70 to 80 students applied for entry and that only about 56—60 seats were available for district nomination; district officials said approximately 59 students went to BOCES this year and that the district is budgeting roughly $880,000 toward CTE BOCES seats.

"We hear you," a board member responded after several speakers described how BOCES programs had changed their children's trajectories. Board members and administrators described institutional constraints: the district sets the number of students it can fund during the budget process, and BOCES programs have limited capacity which can trigger an additional regional lottery after the district forwards nominations.

Parents and students urged alternatives to a random lottery. Cara Prendergast, a teacher and parent, called the current system "deeply inequitable," arguing selection should consider student need, demonstrated interest or readiness rather than chance. Parent Jim Napolitano and student Shane Prendergast described their children's strong interest and, in one case, an Individualized Education Program that made CTE a better fit than traditional classes.

Board members and administrators detailed options they are considering. They discussed sending a larger pool of names to BOCES and using district reserves or a one-time budget adjustment to cover extra seats if more students are successful in the downstream BOCES lottery. A board member cited rough tuition figures discussed at the meeting: about $13,000 per CTEC seat and roughly $18,000 for CSP seats, and noted the district's current CTE line totals about $880,000.

The board committed to follow up quickly. Administrators said they would contact families of students who did not win the local lottery tomorrow to verify continued interest, and board leaders said they would meet with district staff within 48 hours to explore whether reserves or budget adjustments could temporarily add seats this year.

What remains unresolved is a longer-term allocation method. Board members debated whether a merit- or application-based approach would inadvertently exclude disengaged students who stand to benefit most from CTE programming. Administrators cautioned that application processes can create other equity trade-offs and said many districts use lotteries because program profiles and capacities vary widely across BOCES offerings.

The board did not adopt a permanent change at the meeting; it recorded a voice vote approving an amended consent agenda and said it would pursue the outreach and budgeting options discussed. The district asked families who remain interested to notify the administration so the district can forward names to BOCES and, if needed, return to the board with budget options.

The board's next formal budget and transportation presentations are scheduled for May 12, with the budget vote and board election on May 19.