Senate Resolution No. 2460

BY: Senator STEC

COMMEMORATING the 75th Anniversary of the
Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations which are committed to enhancing the
quality of education in the State of New York, and which enable our
schools to offer excellent educational programs in the most efficient
manner; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES,
to be celebrated at a special event on Thursday, May 30, 2024; and

WHEREAS, The event will be held at the two schools run by
Franklin-Essex-Hamilton (FEH) BOCES: Adirondack Educational Center in
Saranac Lake and North Franklin Educational Center in Malone; the two
events will be joined together through video conferencing, allowing for
a truly unifying celebratory experience; and

WHEREAS, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) are an
integral component of New York State's public education system,
providing special education services to more than 16,000 students
annually, as well as career and technical education opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the FEH BOCES programs and services
have been unparalleled in meeting the unique needs of New York's
students, school districts, business, and industry; and

WHEREAS, Leaders in innovation, BOCES funds efforts toward equity
and inclusion, supporting professional learning for educators, and
developing new programs and services to meet the changing needs of the
state's students and businesses; and

WHEREAS, FEH BOCES got its start when Boards of Cooperative
Educational Services were created by New York state law in 1948; the
first FEH BOCES Board of Education meeting was held on August 18, 1948,
in Brushton, New York, and the first employees were approved to be hired
on October 18, 1948; and

WHEREAS, At its start, the BOCES served two school districts in
Bombay, two in Moira, one in Dickinson, one in Waverly, and one in Santa
Clara; most of the initial work the BOCES provided included nurses and
dental care, as well as teachers who split their time between multiple
districts; and

WHEREAS, Over the next 75 years, the Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES
would grow to cover 10 school districts that encompass all of Franklin
County, as well as some districts in Hamilton and Essex counties as
well; FEH BOCES now provides a variety of cooperative services to those
school districts, including trades training and alternative education
for high school students, GED preparation for adults, support and

training for teachers, and business, human resources, and other
operational supports; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, FEH BOCES may
look back with pride upon its humble beginnings, find just satisfaction
in its purposeful growth, and hold true of purpose in its commitment to
serving the educational needs of the citizens of the State of New York;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to FEH BOCES.