Establishes the Hudson School of Math, Science and Engineering Regional Technology Institute; provides governing board powers and duties

Section 2 establishes definitions of terms for "Orange BOCES", "Rockland BOCES", "Hudson School of Math, Science & Engineering Regional Technology Institute", as well as, the "Board".

Section 3 authorizes the Orange BOCES and Rockland BOCES to jointly operate an educational program to be known as the Hudson School of Math, Science & Engineering Regional Technology Institute, and sets forth the terms for which the Institute will operate. It also states that the Institute shall be operated pursuant to an intermunicipal sharing agreement pursuant to section 119-0 to the General Municipal Law. It also authorizes the creation of an operational board consisting of eight members (4 from each BOCES).

Section 3 also authorizes the creation of an Advisory Council consisting of area business leaders. The advisory council can advise on the means of providing educational experience relating to emerging technologies, project based learning and collaboration, and course of study.

Section 4 of the bill sets forth the powers and duties of the Board such as prescribing a full time course of study, contracting with/and employ administrative officers as deemed necessary, contracting with private for profit and not-for-profit entities, determining the school calendar and proposing an annual school budget.

Section 5 of the bill sets forth the general requirements such as the annual budget of the institute shall be subject to the approval of the governing board of the Orange and Rockland BOCES, when and to whom the budget shall be submitted. Provides that each BOCES Board must pass the budget or the budget automatically becomes the prior year's budget subject to changes relating to pension payment requirements. The Commissioner of Education also must approve the budget.

Section 6 of the bill states that the employees of the institute shall be subject to the rules of the Board of Regents and that they are public employees.

Section 7 of the bill relates to the eligibility of students for admission. Section B of the bill requires the Board to establish in its municipal sharing agreement a methodology for the apportionment of operational and administrative costs including Capital costs between the Orange BOCES and the Rockland BOCES and the allocation of non-component school districts located within the area served by either BOCES. Subdivision 2 of this section authorizes the Commissioner of Education to approve the educational services and programs deemed necessary to carry out the Institute as aidable shared services pursuant to the Education Law and to approve cooperative services agreements.

Section 9 of the bill states any lease entered into pursuant to this act in excess often years shall be subject to the approval of the qualified voters of the component districts within the area served.

Section 10 of the bill allows students whose geographic proximity to the Institute make it possible to attend and allows the Board to elect to formally expand its service area.

Section 11 of this bill states that all component school districts of Orange BOCES and Rockland BOCES shall be deemed to participate in the Institute and shall be eligible to have students enroll in the Institute and shall share in the costs of the Institute as set forth in this act.

Section 12 of the bill sets the effective date.

Legislative history

2009- New Bill

Fiscal implications

The State Education Department has estimated costs of $100,000 for the first year (after passage of this legislation) rising to $9.7 million in operating costs during the fifth year after the legislation's passage.

Effective date

Immediately.