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What's New
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School Boards in Western Suffolk BOCES unanimously approved BOCES' 2008-09 administrative budget and re-elected Jeannette Santos of Amityville and Peter Wunsch of Commack to three-year terms on the BOCES Board. While the budget proposed by the BOCES Board will increase by $317,443 or 7.8%, offsetting revenues will result in a 3.5% increase in the administrative charge (analogous to the tax rate in local districts) over 2007–08. Among efforts to contain costs, BOCES collective bargaining settlements have been at or below 3.5% with employees continuing to pay a larger share of their health insurance premiums. The BOCES administrative and capital charges are distributed to local districts based on a three-year weighted average of their student enrollment. One of the 18 participating districts will see its charges decline from this current school year due to flat or declining enrollment. The total proposed BOCES budget for 2008-2009 is $129,446,363. Of this, 3.4% will go to administration; 4.2% will go to post-retirement benefits; and 2.5% will go to the capital budget. The balance, 89.9%, of this proposed budget is driven by the programs and services that local school districts request. Repairs Impact Capital Budget The 3.8% increase in the proposed capital budget for next year reflects the need to make repairs to our aging facilities and renovations to meet the changing needs of BOCES students. In 2008-09 BOCES plans to repair roofs, replace boilers and fuel tanks, and remove asbestos in various locations. These repairs and renovations are similar to ones districts would complete with a bond issue. BOCES, however, is not permitted to float a bond issue and must, therefore, fund all capital repairs out of annual appropriations from the capital budget or program budgets. Charges/Pupil Below NYS Median According to the NYS Education Department’s annual Report to the Governor and the Legislature on BOCES, the combined administrative and capital costs per pupil* for Western Suffolk BOCES are the second lowest in New York State. “When the high regional costs on Long Island are considered, it is significant that the combined administrative and capital charge per pupil for this BOCES is below the statewide median,” noted Sal Marinello, president of the BOCES Board. For copies of the proposed BOCES 2008-2009 Tentative Budget, call 549-4900, x224. *per pupil refers to the Resident Weighted Average Daily Attendance (RWADA) figure.
 Laila Hajjar (second, r.), a senior in Wilson Technological Center’s cosmetology program, received the first PTA scholarship awarded during BOCES’ recent PTA Night. The Cold Spring Harbor student was selected based on outstanding performance in her Tech program. Jackie Wilson (l.), Associate Director of Suffolk District PTA, presented the $500 award while her parents Elia and Amy Hajjar looked on. Laila plans to attend SUNY Cortland's International Business program in the fall. For photos of the evening, click here.
In gratitude to the Esthetics program at Wilson Technological Center, Naomi Mickens (c.) of North Babylon donated a $1,000 scholarship to Western Suffolk BOCES. Naomi recently completed Tech's 600-hour adult program in the field of skin care and make-up to become licensed in Esthetics. This young entrepreneur has started her own business, specializing in facials at spa parties. She can be contacted at FacialsbyNaomi@yahoo.com. The Board (l. to r.) Sydney Finkelstein, Jeannette Santos, Maryann Zumpano, President Sal Marinello, Vice President Peter Wunsch, and Ilene Herz accepted her check . "This is the most generous scholarship BOCES has received. It is particularly meaningful to us coming from such a young person just starting her career," noted Dr. Michael Mensch, Chief Operating Officer. Three years ago, Naomi entered the BOCES Esthetics program where she said, "I was given an opportunity to start a career that has enabled me to believe that, though I never finished college, I do have a chance to be successful as well as help people find the natural beauty that is within us all." She gave the scholarship, she said, so one or more students who are in financial need will be able to complete the course and start a career in Esthetics. For more information about Tech's Esthetics or Cosmetology program or seven other full-time programs or 400 part-time classes, call 667-6000, ext. 320 or go to www.wilsontech.org/adults.
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 BOCES Board recently honored both retirees and outstanding employees at a special ceremony. Twelve employees were selected by their co-workers to receive the Outstanding Achievement Awards. Retirees during 2007 were presented with an engraved clock for their years of service. To see the festivities, click here.
Councilwoman Carol Quirk (l.) and Babylon Town Supervisor Steven Bellone (second , l.) recognized students from the James E. Allen Jr./Sr. High School in Melville for sponsoring a food drive to benefit the Mercy Inn in Wyandanch. Members of the school’s student council (l. to r.) Adrianna Guzman, Nickolas Romano, Jessica Finn, Adam Sanchez and Amahd McCaskill (seated) accepted certificates for their efforts as their principal Regina Giunta and Western Suffolk BOCES Chief Operating Officer Dr. Michael Mensch looked on.
 Copiague Middle School principal Albert “Skip” Voorneveld (center, l) was honored recently with the Model Schools Technology Administrator of the Year award by Dr. Michael Mensch (l.), Chief Operating Officer of Western Suffolk BOCES; Dr. William Bolton (center, r), Superintendent of Copiague School District; and Todd Harris (r.), Copiague’s technology director. Each year BOCES recognizes a local school administrator for his or her staunch support of technology initiatives that support instruction in the school district. Mr. Voorneveld was honored at BOCES’ annual technology fair at the Sunrise Business Center in Great River where nine school districts proudly displayed classroom activities that integrated technology into the curriculum.
According to the recently released demographic study published by BOCES’ Office of School Planning and Research, K-12 enrollment in public schools in While growth from 1997-2002 was in the middle school grades, the study projects that the secondary grades has reached its peak in this 2007-08 school year. Enrollment in the elementary grades has been declining each year since 2002 and is projected to continue declining at about the same rate through 2010. As these smaller incoming classes move through the grades, enrollment declines will, therefore, be reflected in the middle and high schools.
Regional enrollment peaked at 471,402 students in 2003-04 and is projected to decline to 445,867 in 2010. “Accurate planning is essential if districts are to help all students meet Western Suffolk BOCES is available to assist districts with their long range planning. BOCES demographers offer expert and objective advice in projecting district enrollments. They are also available to evaluate facility capacities and investigate organizational options for the efficient and equitable operation of district facilities. To determine the impact of the population growth on local school districts, the study analyzed population changes, resident characteristics, birthrate, the housing market, and nonpublic school attendance. Information was gathered from the New York State Education Department. The Regional Public School Enrollment study has been conducted annually through the BOCES Office of School Planning and Research in the Division of Instructional Support Services for more than 25 years. Click here for a free copy of the study.
The next Regular meeting of the Board of Western Suffolk BOCES will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at the Wheatley Conference Center, 31 Lee Avenue, Wheatley Heights, NY. The Board will meet in Executive Session at 6:30 p.m. in the Resource Library. The regular meeting is expected to follow at 8 p.m. in the Large Conference Room
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