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About
Western Suffolk BOCES
Mission Statement

Western Suffolk BOCES, a regional educational service agency, will provide
quality, efficient, shared programs and services to school districts, their students,
parents and communities. Our mission is to expand educational opportunities and
alternatives enabling learners to achieve their potential.
BOCES-at-a-Glance


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The Board of Cooperative Educational Services provides educational programs and opportunities to meet distinct needs within 18 local school districts. One of three BOCES on Long Island, Western Suffolk BOCES provides 70 services to two or more districts more economically and efficiently than one district alone can provide. Western Suffolk BOCES helps school-age children and adults gain the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the workplace.
Western Suffolk BOCES has an elected Board of seven representatives from the 210 square mile area that makes up the western Suffolk County towns of Babylon, Huntington and Smithtown. Board members are elected for three-year terms and are responsible for policy governing Western Suffolk BOCES.
The Boards of Cooperative Educational Services were created in 1948 by the New York State Legislature. Today 37 BOCES in New York serve 721 school districts.
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Programs are offered through these main divisions:
Special Education
Upon request of the local Committees on Special Education, BOCES provides highly individualized educational programs to meet the unique needs of children, ages 5 to 21, who have disabilities that typically require more intensive service than can be delivered within the local school district.
Non-disabled students who require specialized services also attend programs within Special Education.
Approximately 1,000 students with intellectual disabilities; autism; physical, emotional or sensory impairments; or some combination of these disabilities attend BOCES centers or classes in participating school districts. BOCES itinerant teachers provide diagnostic and support services to another 450 students in their local school districts. BOCES provides high quality instruction that enhances each student's communication and social interaction and builds skills for Regents-level coursework or functioning academic skills.
BOCES alternative programs provide a nurturing environment with appropriate support services. Our instructional programs are individualized and provide a full array of special and related services as well as academic instruction similar to that available in local school districts. Classes are highly structured to facilitate behavorial changes that may help the student return to general education.
Career & Technical Education
This division meets the needs for the career and technical training of nearly 2,000 secondary school students as well as 10,000 adults at the five campuses of Wilson Technological Center. Online learning opportunities are available for both high school students and adults. In addition to the Center for Alternative Education, Tech offers 39 programs
for high school students and more than 300 courses for adults, including preparation for certificates and licenses,
as well as on-line instruction.
Instructional Support Services This division offers a variety of instructional support, planning, and technology
services that take advantage of experienced instructional staff and educators
knowledgeable about technological advances.
Other Services BOCES
also offers many administrative and management services to help school districts
meet the needs of their students, staff and communities. BOCES can provide these
services more economically and efficiently than one district alone can provide.
Local Funding and State Aid
Western Suffolk BOCES is financially supported by its 18 participating school districts as well as state and federal grants. Every April, the 18 participating Boards of Education vote on the BOCES Administrative Budget. The costs associated with the BOCES Administrative Budget and the Capital Budget are borne by the 18 participating school districts based on a three-year weighted average daily attendance rate.
School districts that request Western Suffolk BOCES services pay a prorated service fee or tuition as itemized in a shared-services contract. School districts receive state aid on many services based on the previous year's audited expenses of BOCES programs and services. The wealth of each component district, its aid ratio and the cost of Western Suffolk BOCES services determine how much aid participating districts receive. Local districts receive their state aid for the BOCES programs and services they used in the year following the district's expenditures.
Shared Services Guide
For descriptions of all programs and services offered through Western Suffolk BOCES, browse through our Shared Services Guides
District Superintendent
Vacant
(631)549-4900, ext. 222
centraladmin@wsboces.org
Dr. Thomas Rogers, the District Superintendent of Nassau BOCES, is the Interim District Superintendent for Western Suffolk BOCES. He was appointed to this interim position by the NYS Commissioner of Education. While serving in this capacity, Dr. Rogers will receive no additional compensation.
The Chief Executive Officer and District Superintendent is a salaried educator
serving both the State Education Department and the Board of Cooperative Educational
Services.
As the regional representative of the Commissioner of Education,
the District Superintendent is often called upon to assist in the implementation
of NYS Education Law and interpretation of the Regulations of the Commissioner
and the rules of the Board of Regents. The District Superintendent has responsiblility
for providing support and direction for local implementation of statewide school
improvement initiatives. The Commissioner of Education may also designate the
District Superintendent to represent SED on special assignments.
In the
capacity of Chief Executive Officer, the responsibilities include planning, administering,
supervising and evaluating regional education programs and support services which
are provided at the request of the component school districts.
Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Superintendent

Dr. Michael J. Mensch
(631) 549-4900, ext 222
The Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Superintendent is responsible for planning, administering, supervising and evaluating the education programs and support services of the BOCES. The Administrative Council, consisting of the Chief Financial Officer, the Executive Director of Personnel, the Executive Director of Special Education, the Executive Director of Career and Technical Education, the Executive Director of Instructional Support Services and Administrative Assistant (Public Information), report directly to Dr. Mensch.
To insure that BOCES programs and services meet the needs of local school districts, Dr. Mensch meets monthly with the Superintendents of the 18 component school districts.
The Board of Western Suffolk BOCES appointed Dr. Mensch to this position effective Jan. 1, 2006. As the Chief Operating Officer, he prepares the agendas and organizes the meetings of the Board of Western Suffolk BOCES.
The Board
Western Suffolk BOCES has an elected Board of seven representatives who are elected
for three-year terms. By law, Board members must reside in the 18 districts that
comprise the supervisory district. Board members are responsible for policy governing
the programs and services offered by the agency.
|
Board
Member
|
Home School
District
|
Term of
Office
|
 |
|
Jeannette Santos,
President
|
Amityville
|
2011-2014
|
|
Maryann Zumpano,
Vice President
|
Smithtown
|
2010-2013
|
|
Mildred Browne
|
Wyandanch
|
2010-2013
|
|
Sydney Finkelstein
|
Elwood
|
2009-2012
|
Ilene Herz, Esquire |
Half Hollow Hills |
2010-2013
|
Salvatore Marinello |
West Babylon
|
2009-2012
|
Peter Wunsch |
Commack
|
2011-2014
|
|
Joan Johnson District Clerk
|
631/549-4900,
ext. 222
|
|
Staffing for 2011-2012
|
Administrators
and Supervisors (FTE)
|
59 |
|
Teaching
Staff (FTE)
|
327
|
|
Teaching
Assistants (FTE)
|
5
|
|
Clerical
(FTE)
|
110
|
|
Aides
(FTE)
|
456 |
|
Physical/
Occupational Therapists & Nurses (FTE)
|
46
|
|
Adult
Intstructors (part-time)
|
155
|
|
Food
Services Staff (part-time)
|
22
|
|
Technical
Staff (FTE)
|
9
|
|
Custodial/
Maintenance (FTE)
|
63
|
|
Other
|
24
|
Student Enrollment in BOCES Programs
2011-2012
|
Students are from
these Districts
|
Secondary Career
& Tech Ed.
|
General Career
& Tech Ed.
|
Alternative &
Coop Programs
|
Special Education
|
 |
|
Amityville
|
62 |
24
|
0
|
90 |
|
Babylon
|
36 |
5
|
14
|
20 |
|
Cold
Spring Harbor
|
5
|
4
|
1
|
3
|
|
Commack
|
53
|
12
|
60
|
50
|
|
Copiague
|
189
|
71
|
60
|
143
|
|
Deer
Park
|
55
|
21
|
3
|
43
|
|
Elwood
|
35 |
26
|
8
|
14
|
|
Half
Hollow Hills
|
62
|
62
|
3
|
41
|
|
Harborfields
|
24
|
17
|
2
|
29
|
|
Huntington
|
70
|
35
|
28
|
58
|
|
Kings
Park
|
36
|
5
|
2
|
19
|
|
Lindenhurst
|
120
|
37
|
1
|
54
|
|
North
Babylon
|
46
|
29
|
0
|
82
|
|
Northport
|
29
|
19
|
2
|
50
|
|
Smithtown
|
110
|
94
|
11
|
66
|
|
South
Huntington
|
74
|
54
|
2
|
50
|
|
West
Babylon
|
98
|
39
|
13
|
52
|
|
Wyandanch
|
73
|
29
|
33
|
38
|
|
Western
Suffolk Boces
|
|
102
|
|
|
|
Other
BOCES
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
84
|
|
TOTAL
|
1177
|
687
|
243
|
986
|
Freedom of Information (FOIL) Requests
Under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), individuals may request existing public records from the public agencies responsible for maintaining those records. Western Suffolk BOCES has a designated Records Access Officer who is responsible for accepting and responding to FOIL requests.
To make a request for existing public records, please complete the FOIL request form. You may click the “submit” button at the bottom of the form or you may print the form, complete and mail it to:
FOIL Request
Western Suffolk BOCES
P. O. Box 8007
Huntington Station NY 11746-9007
When you submit this form, FOIL allows Western Suffolk BOCES five business days to make the record(s) available, deny access to the record(s), or acknowledge receipt of your request and inform you of the timeframe required to respond to your request.
Choose how to receive records
According to FOIL, public agencies are required to provide copies of records in the format and on the medium desired by the person filing the request if the agency can reasonably do so. Western Suffolk BOCES provides records electronically, where possible, or as photocopies delivered by U.S. mail. Please indicate your preference on the request form.
If you would like to inspect the records in person, submit the completed FOIL request form. The BOCES Records Access Officer will notify you if such records are available and provide information about scheduling an appointment to inspect such records. Appointments are generally scheduled between 9 am and 2 pm Monday – Friday at the Central Administrative Office, 507 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills, NY 11746.
The agency will provide an estimate of all fees prior to a request being processed. All checks should be made out to Western Suffolk BOCES and mailed to:
Records Access Officer
Western Suffolk BOCES
P. O. Box 8007
Huntington Station NY 11746-9007
To contact the Records Officer, please use this link: Records Access Officer. Visit the New York State Committee on Open Government website for answers to frequently asked questions about FOIL.
Non-Discrimination Notice
The Board of Cooperative Educational Services of western Suffolk County, New York, does not discriminate on the basis of age, religion, creed, ethnic origin, marital status, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability or handicap in the educational programs or activities it operates. This policy of non-discrimination includes the recruitment, hiring and advancement of employees; salaries, pay and other benefits; counseling services to students; and student access to course offerings; lawful political activities; educational programs and other activities; and the business activities of the Board. The coordinator of activities relating to compliance with Title IX and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) is Mr. Thomas Reilly, who may be contacted at 507 Deer Park Rd., Dix Hills, NY 11746 or 631/549-4900, ext. 204.
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