Senator David Carlucci and Assembly members Sandy Galef and Amy Paulin announced Governor Cuomo has signed legislation (A.10205-A/S.7120-A, Chap.396 of 2012) which will provide mandate relief to BOCES by generating new revenue and saving taxpayers money. This bill is similar to one Assemblywoman Galef and Senator Carlucci had introduced earlier in the session (A.9547-A /S.6303-A) and one Assemblywoman Paulin had introduced (A.115-A/S.1583-A).
“This law will provide real mandate relief, reduce unnecessary costs for our school districts, and at the same time benefit taxpayers all throughout our state,” said Senator Carlucci. “Similar to what Assemblywoman Galef and I proposed, this plan allows for BOCES to actually increase their revenue stream and cover the costs for existing programs. I applaud Governor Cuomo for his commitment to reforming the system while ensuring that every child has the best opportunity to receive a quality education.”
“This new law will be a great opportunity for BOCES to not only share their innovative educational curricula and programs with schools, faculty and students outside the state, but also lessen the burden on taxpayers by raising revenue from other sources beyond New York,” said Assemblywoman Galef.
According to Carlucci, with school districts, including BOCES, in serious need of mandate relief, the new law will offer BOCES a way to generate revenue to cover programmatic operating costs. The bill allows BOCES to engage in contracts with out-of-state school districts that wish to purchase school curricula and services from the school. This exchange of services and programs will additionally expand opportunities for school-aged students outside of New York to participate in a BOCES program when seats are available.
"For the past 40 years, school districts have come to depend on BOCES to serve students who need alternatives to the traditional educational setting," said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin.
Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES recently designed an inter-disciplinary sustainability curriculum beginning in the second grade. In effect, this new law permits other schools outside New York to purchase and utilize this program. These new funds would support the cost of BOCES programs, allowing for greater financial stability and potential to lower tuition costs, both of which will lessen the contribution from New York taxpayers.
