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Public school enrollment on Long Island has declined by 2.7 percent since 2003; 2.6 percent in NassauCounty and 2.8 percent in SuffolkCounty according to The Annual Bi-County Nassau/Suffolk Public School Enrollment Report compiled by the Office of School Planning and Research of Western Suffolk BOCES. This document provides information about historical enrollments in these two Long Island counties as well as projected enrollments through 2012. Projections suggest an additional decline of 2.4 percent in the region over the next three years. Public School Enrollment Elementary grades (K - 5) have shown the greatest decrease (5.2 percent) since 2003; an additional 3.6 percent loss is expected over the next three years. Declines have also been seen at the middle level (6 - 8) and are anticipated to continue. Losses at the high school level (9 - 12) are expected in the coming years as the smaller elementary and middle level cohorts reach the secondary schools. Smaller incoming kindergarten classes replaced larger exiting twelfth grade classes beginning in 2006. This trend is expected to continue in the projection years and will be a factor in enrollment declines. Enrollment in public schools is affected by demographic factors. These factors include the number of children being born in the area, economic and housing trends, non-public school enrollments and immigration/migration patterns. As these factors change, there is a positive or negative impact on local school districts. The current downturn in the economy may exacerbate already declining enrollments as job losses, housing foreclosures, as well as regionally high taxes and high cost of living cause increasing numbers of people to relocate to less costly areas. Population Changes Long Island experienced large population increases in the 1990’s. Since then, the population has leveled off, although the U.S. Census numbers indicate some growth in both counties on Long Island recently. Factors contributing to this modest increase include foreign immigration and natural increases (births minus deaths). “Domestic migration” is also a factor, i.e., residents moving to other parts of the state or country, limiting the impact of immigration and natural increases. Schools on Long Island reflect these population trends; K - 12 enrollments peaked in 2004 when 471,402 students were enrolled. Since then, enrollments have been decreasing each year. This trend is expected to continue. The population on Long Island is aging. NassauCounty’s median age rose to 42.0 while in SuffolkCounty it rose to 39.5 years, according to 2008 estimates. This can be attributed to the loss of almost 150,000 people in the 25 - 44 year age group since 2000. Births have been declining on Long Island since the 1990’s and are expected to level off at a lower level in the future. Also, recent data indicate that the percentage and number of pre-school children are decreasing and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. This could be an indicator of the above-mentioned out-migration of younger families, in addition to the decline in births. Together, these factors have the potential to impact school enrollments. Immigration Impact Data for New YorkState indicate that 22 percent of the population was foreign-born in 2008; this was an increase of five percent when compared to 1995. An important consideration to Long Island school districts is this increase in the foreign-born population. According to the 2000 Census, 17.9 percent of the population was foreign-born in NassauCounty, while in Suffolk Country it was 11.2 percent. In addition, 23.2 percent of the population spoke languages other than English at home in Nassau County; in Suffolk Country 17.1 percent were reported in this category. These numbers are expected to rise and be reflected in the Census (2010) that is currently underway. A continuing, but growing concern for school districts will be servicing the increasing population of bi-lingual and English as a Second Language students. Housing Market Long Island’s housing market, like those in other areas, has been impacted by recent economic conditions. Foreclosures have increased and the inventory of homes on the market has grown as potential homeowners are hesitant to purchase, not yet sure if the bottom of the market has been reached. The “first-time homebuyer’s credit” program, however, did provide the incentive for some homebuyers. Housing permits have decreased across Long Island as builders are reluctant to build homes “on spec.” Now they are waiting until sales are finalized before commencing construction. Median sales prices have fallen; experts predict that prices will not rise anytime soon to levels seen in the past. We have seen that changes in the housing market have a significant impact on school enrollment. Western Suffolk BOCES is available to help school districts address trends that are developing in individual districts. By studying historical, as well as recent, enrollment and demographic trends, school districts can better prepare for the future. For more information about long-range planning, call 595-6802.
Click here to see the new high school graduates. In this study-at-home program, these adults received credit for skills they had acquired and demonstrated mastery of specific academic requirements in weekly sessions with a counselor/teacher. For more information about the EDP program, call Wilson Tech's Career Center at 631-667-6000, ext. 327.
The Board of Western Suffolk BOCES recognized 13 employees (above) for their Outstanding Achievement along with this year's retirees at the June Board Meeting. Outstanding employees were selected by the Site-Based Shared Decision-Making teams in each school. Take a look at the festivities. Kudos to all!
Dr. Michael Mensch (l.), Chief Operating Officer of Western Suffolk BOCES recognized Dr. Jared Bloom (c.), the Director of Technology at Deer Park School District, as the Administrator of the Year from the BOCES' Model Schools program. Dr. Bloom was honored for helping teachers in the district's schools integrate technology into their instruction. The district's Superintendent, Eva Demyen (r.), noted the technical knowledge and leadership skills that Dr. Bloom has demonstrated. The following teachers won Technology Integration Awards along with $1,000 for their schools:
The Office Skills classes at Manor Plains High School adopted the USNS Grasp, one of the first ships to arrive in Haiti after the January earthquake. Take a look at the students’ project!
Among the 13 outstanding students that the BOCES Board recognized in May were national and state skills competitors and students working hard to overcame personal challenges. Take a look at the Outstanding Students for 2010!
The 2010-11 administrative budget of Western Suffolk BOCES was approved by its participating districts by a vote of 17 to 1 on April 27. The local boards also unanimously re-elected trustees Mildred Browne, Ilene Herz and Maryann Zumpano to three-year terms on the BOCES Board. The increases for the administrative charge, the capital charge and tuitions for both special education and career and technical education will be under 3% for 2010-11. The administrative charge, which is analogous to the tax rate in local districts, will increase 2.9% over the current year. More than half the increase to the BOCES administrative budget came from increases to fringe benefits, such as the MTA tax, ERS contributions, and health insurance costs. The capital charge will increase 2.98% due to increased costs to replace/repair roofs, replace boilers and remove old fuel tanks. The BOCES administrative and capital charges are distributed to local districts based on a three-year weighted average of their student enrollment. North Babylon, which has had a decline in enrollment, will have the lowest increase of $1,157 while Smithtown, which has had an increase in enrollment, will have the largest increase at $28,749. The total proposed BOCES budget for 2010–11 is $139,228,952. Of this, 3.3% will go to administration; 4.2% will go to post-retirement benefits; and 2.3% will go to the capital budget. The balance, 90.2%, of this proposed budget is driven by the programs and services that local school districts request.
Local legislators met with school superintendents, school board presidents and parent representatives at the 12th annual Legislative Brunch hosted by Western Suffolk BOCES. Discussion focused on the impact of the current fiscal situation in New York State on local school districts.
Nicholas Romano (c.) of Smithtown described his experiences, both academically and socially, in several BOCES schools. Nick is currently attending the James E. Allen Jr./Sr. High School in Melville where he participates in a travel training program in preparation for the next stage of his life. After his successful presentation to the Board at its November meeting, Nick was invited to be one of the guest speakers at the annual Board Dinner for members of the Boards of Education in Western Suffolk BOCES. Nick is pictures with BOCES Board members (l. to r.) Sal Marinello, Sydney Finkelstein, Mildred Browne, Peter Wunsch, and Ilene Herz, Esq.
The Surgical Technology program at Western Suffolk BOCES has just been re-accredited for 10 years from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Adults can begin the year-long program at Wilson Tech’s Northport campus in September or March each year. The approval came after a lengthy review process that evaluated all aspects of the ST program—didactic, laboratory and clinical curriculum, policies and procedures, student resources, faculty credentials and accomplishments, program outcomes, placement, student and employer satisfaction and BOCES’ ability to respond to the needs of the community. The Commission commended the BOCES staff for their “commitment to continuous quality improvement in education.” The ST program prepares adults for employment in operating rooms, surgical offices, delivery rooms, emergency departments, physician and dentist offices, central supply services, cardiac catheterization clinics, tissue banks and ambulatory surgical care sites. After training in the BOCES operating room, students must complete a clinical placement in a local health care facility where they work under an experienced health care professional. To apply to the ST program, adults must have a high school diploma or equivalent and achieve a satisfactory score on a pre-entrance exam. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. For details on application procedures and the program requirements, go to www.wsboces.org/fulltime or call 631-261-3721.
While growth in middle and secondary grade configurations occurred from 2003 to 2009, the decline in elementary grades during those years resulted in an overall 1.1% decline in enrollment in the Western Suffolk BOCES region—from a peak of 91,076 students in 2004 to 89,158 students in 2009. This data was published Dec. 2009 in the annual Regional Public School Enrollment (2003-2012) study for school districts in Western Suffolk BOCES. Enrollment patterns were not consistent across the region in the years 2003-2009. Enrollment showed continued growth between 2008 and 2009 in Amityville, Copiague, Huntington, South Huntington and Wyandanch districts. Between 2003 and 2009 enrollment in Huntington grew by 7.6% and in Smithtown by 6.8%. Overall regional enrollment is projected to decline by 1,678 students (including special education counts) by 2012 as losses in elementary and middle grades, primarily reflective of a smaller kindergarten beginning in 2005 and thus smaller cohorts, progress through the system. This loss is mitigated by the anticipated growth in the secondary grade configurations as the larger cohorts in those grades continue moving through the system. Housing is an important consideration for potential school enrollment. Housing sales tend to bring increased school registration that may persist for several years following the sale of a house. For example, the peak in kindergarten enrollment in 2003 was preceded by five years of strong housing sales. Sales recorded between 2005 and 2008, however, showed a decline in the three towns of Babylon (59%), Huntington (45%) and Smithtown (44%). The median selling price of housing declined beginning in 2007, with losses between 2007 and 2008 of 8% in Babylon, 7% in Huntington and 10% in Smithtown. The regional decline in housing sales beginning in 2006 is expected to contribute to declining kindergarten and elementary enrollment through the next several years. The result will be smaller cohorts moving through the system which leads to overall decline in enrollment in the future. The Western Suffolk BOCES Office of School Planning & Research has conducted Comprehensive Long Range Planning Studies for over 125 school districts during the past five years. Comprehensive Long Range Planning Studies include analysis of demographic factors that have influenced historical enrollment or can impact future enrollment. These factors include population, housing, economy, and non-public school attendance. For more information, contact: Paula Klingelhoefer, Executive Director of Division of Instructional Support Services or Joan Townley, Coordinator of the Office of School Planning & Research at 631-595-6806 or jtownley@wsboces.org
The annual BOCES Board Dinner took place Dec. 3 at Wilson Tech's Dix Hills campus. Board members from the local school districts toured exhibits and sampled delicious food prepared and served by students in the Culinary Arts progam. See the festivities! Nicholas Romano of Smithtown spoke about how he had grown and matured during his years at the James E. Allen Junior/Senior High School. Wilson Tech instructor Kathy Keymel introduced Tech's Veterinary Assisting Team that won first place in the Big E Small Animal Careers National Competition. She introduced members of Wilson Tech's team including Sara Carrieri (HHHE) who had the 5th highest score in the nation; Alexandra Jackson (Harborfields), 4th highest scorer; Felicia Romano (HHHE), 2nd highest scorer; and Angela Jaworowski (Copiague), who scored 1st place in the nation. These outstanding students were the highest scoring individuals of all other national competitors! Sara spoke about the team's efforts leading up to their tremendous showing.
Lieutenant Commander McAllister of the US Navy recently stopped to thank the students at Manor Plains High School for writing him and sending packages while he was deployed in
Connetquot High School students in the BOCES Hard Shell Clam Mariculture Program recently put 150,000 clams in Stony Brook Harbor. Students had built rafts for the seed clams last winter, monitored their growth throughout the school year and summer, and finally placed the adolescent clams into the harbor where they should safely develop into adult clams. The Outdoor Environmental Education Program through Western Suffolk BOCES funded the program through the Nature Conservancy, the Town of Smithtown and the National Grid Foundation. Connetquot's science teacher Lori Forgione had written the winning proposal to have students in an after school program help restore Long Island's dwindling shellfish population. Other clams that the students had raised were placed in the Great South Bay. For more information about mariculture programs in Long Island schools, call 360-3652.
Voters approved a referendum on Oct. 28 to construct additional instructional space at the James E. Allen Junior/Senior High School which serves students with severe disabilities from ages 13 through 21. The vote was 828 in favor of the $2.8 million capital project and 113 against. BOCES will pay for the addition from its capital fund with no additional cost to local school districts. By NYS law, BOCES is required to have a public vote when the footprint of a building is changed. Enrollment in the school, located at 35 Carman Road in Dix Hills, has increased by 20% in recent years. The school will use the additional space to accommodate the many instructional and related service needs of these students who are sent by the local school districts for the specialized services that BOCES provides.
School superintendents from across Long Island described BOCES as a model for delivering cost saving programs and services that should be expanded during the NYS Senate’s Standing Committee on Education recent public hearing on “BOCES as a Model for Delivering Taxpayer Savings” at the Western Suffolk BOCES Conference Center. The session was a follow-up to last year’s report from the Commission on Local Efficiency and Competitiveness and the NYS commission on Property Tax Relief and also included testimony from the local business community with regard to innovative programs and potential shared services. The testimony focused primarily on building on those back office areas where school districts already share resources and save money. Many speakers cited NYS laws that could either be changed or reinterpreted to permit more sharing through the BOCES. In an era of growing fiscal challenges, the Senate Committee on Education is interested in examining ways that the BOCES’ model might be expanded to achieve efficiencies resulting in greater taxpayer savings. While the three BOCES on Long Island are most well-known for providing specialized areas of instruction such as Wilson Tech’s 30 programs for career and technical education and special education programs for the severely disabled and at-risk students, members of the committee accepted testimony from interested parties with regard to innovative programs, potential shared services, inter-municipal agreements, bulk purchasing, regional collective bargaining, transportation, technology, and other proposals regarding more effective utilization of BOCES.
 Lori Battell of West Islip, an adult student in Western Suffolk BOCES’ School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, was one of eight in the U.S. to be awarded a scholarship from the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Lori will use her $500 award for her tuition in the program. She hopes to complete the BOCES program in June 2010and then work in a hospital. Among the five specialty areas available in Tech's 24-month program, Tech students can pursue echocardiography (the sonography of structures of the heart), general, breast, obstetrics and vascular sonography. Each specialty area requires graduates to pass a different registry exam. Lori selected the BOCES program at Wilson Tech’s Northport campus because of its affordable tuition and the emphasis on supervised clinical experience in hospitals and doctor's offices from Manhattan to Southampton. Students gain valuable hands-on experience in several three-month clinical rotations. Interested adults should begin preparations now for the next class which begins July 2010. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. For more details about the program, admission requirements and tuition, go to www.wsboces.org/fulltime, or call 631-261-3721 ext. 219.
 Hands-on learning just got more exciting at the Western Suffolk BOCES Aircraft Maintenance Technology program as students Frank Atria (l.) of Deer Park and Felix Zapata (r.) of Queens examine one of the two aircraft recently purchased for the program. The Cessna Piper Cub airplanes, while non-flyable, present BOCES students with many opportunities to troubleshoot and repair engines using equipment that meet current industry standards. The BOCES aviation program offers instruction for both high school and adults to earn Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licenses in Powerplant and Airframe which help prepare graduates for employment with airlines, private aviation clubs, airports, utility companies and power stations. The FAA-approved aviation program combines hands-on experience and instruction to service, repair and overhaul reciprocating and turbine engines. Opportunities for employment and career growth are excellent for technicians with these FAA licenses, noted Kenneth Burr, Executive Director of Career and Technical Education at BOCES. For more information or to take a tour of the BOCES aviation program at Wilson Technological Center’s Republic Airport campus, call 752-1957 or go to www.wilsontech.org/amt. Semesters for adults begin in January and September. Financial aid is available to eligible adults. Registration is taking place now for high school students to attend half-day in fall 2009.
 After an extensive review, Western Suffolk BOCES was recently awarded national accreditation from the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education for its full-time adult education programs. Dr. Michael J. Mensch (l.), Chief Operating Officer of BOCES, presents the certificate to Kathi Baker (c.), administrator of health programs; and Deborah Montaruli (r.), principal of adult services. With this accreditation, BOCES can continue offering financial aid to adults studying cosmetology, aesthetics, practical nursing, diagnostic medical sonography, surgical technology, aircraft maintenance technology and automotive technology. For more information about these seven programs, go to www.wsboces.org/fulltime, or call 667-6000 ext. 320. Registration is now underway for spring semester. To earn this prestigious recognition, BOCES had to demonstrate that it met not only the standards of quality of the Commission but also the needs of students, the community, and employers. The Council, whose mission is to assure quality and integrity in career and technical education at postsecondary institutions across the nation, is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
95% of the 2006 graduates of Wilson Technological Center's Practical Nursing program passed their licensing exam. This pass rate far exceeds the rate of other PN grads across the nation. Tech’s pass rate compares to 83% for NYS; and 86% for the U.S. Students can complete the BOCES adult education program for Practical Nursing in a 13-month accelerated day program, an 18-month part-time evening program or a 24-month part-time day program. Once students successfully complete the academic work and clinical component of the program, they must sit for their state boards in order to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. Tech's program, approved by the NYS Education Department, has a low ratio of students to faculty that allows for individualized instruction. Day and evening classes begin again in September 2008. For more information about admission requirements, the curriculum or the tuition, click here.
Wilson Tech’s Auto Body program has earned a national endorsement from AutoYES after a successful site visit in June. A program evaluator from Okalahoma City inspected Tech facilities and interviewed Tech instructors. The endorsement is effective immediately. Tech's program prepares high school students pursuing Auto Body Repair to earn the Regent's diploma, including the prestigious seal of Technical Endorsement, and this nationally recognized certificate. For details about the program, visit http://www.wilsontech.org/HSPrograms/auto_body_repair/
The next Regular meeting of the Board of Western Suffolk BOCES will be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at the Western Suffolk BOCES Administration Office, 507 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills, NY 11746. The Regular meeting convenes at 6:30 pm in the Small Conference Room immediately followed by an Executive Session. The public portion resumes, beginning with Item Number I on the Agenda, at 8:00 pm in the Large Conference Room.
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