Governor Signs Carlucci & Jaffee Bill Into Law Allowing BOCES to Enter Into Contracts With Out-of-state Schools

(New City, NY) – Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) and Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee (D-Suffern) announced the Governor signed their bill into law (S.5636-A/A.7654-A), which will allow Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to continue to enter into out of state contracts with schools to sell their leading programs and services.

BOCES currently provides specialized programs for students of all abilities in school districts across the state. The legislation will generate more funding for local school districts through 2024.

“Rockland BOCES alone could save about $600,000 from these contracts and that funding goes back into the local school districts," said Senator David Carlucci.  "It is a win-win. Our students benefit from the cost savings, while children in other states get to learn from BOCES' innovative approach. I thank the Governor for signing this bill into law and protecting necessary funding for our school districts.”

For years, BOCES around the state, including our local Rockland BOCES has been delivering innovative and exceptional programming to students, services to local school districts, as well as leading collaborating partnerships to respond to emerging educational challenges,” said Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee. “I am thankful for Governor Cuomo’s swift response in signing this legislation to allow BOCES to continue to offer these leading services and programs to out-of-state institutions.  This will generate much needed additional funding for BOCES to be able to reduce the cost to our local school districts, which will create savings for local taxpayers.”

“During the past seven years, this authorization has enabled Rockland BOCES to offer our unique special education, career, and technical education and STEM programming to students in New Jersey, where similar high-quality instruction and experiential learning does not currently exist,” said Rockland BOCES Chief Operating Officer Dr. Mary Jean Marsico. “As a result, Rockland BOCES has been highly successful in lessening the burden on Rockland County taxpayers by drawing revenue from sources beyond our state border. Profits realized have been reinvested into our BOCES supervisory district, with a resulting reduction in component school districts costs, indirectly bringing down costs for local taxpayers. On behalf of the entire Rockland BOCES family, we thank Senator Carlucci and Assemblywoman Jaffee for sponsoring and fully supporting S.5636-A and A.7654-A.”

The legislation allows BOCES to sell technology products and computer software packages to out of state schools, and permits BOCES to enter into contracts to enroll out of state students in courses offered in New York.

Any revenue generated by the 37 BOCES statewide would reduce costs and enhance services in their respective districts, while preserving and maintaining jobs in rural and suburban areas in the State. These cost savings would also be passed on to taxpayers. Rockland BOCES estimates these contracts could generate $600,000 in revenue for Rockland school districts.

Organizations who supported this bill, include BOCES of New York State, New York State School Boards Association, New York State United Teachers, and New York State Council of School Superintendents.