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

Summary of provisions

Section 1 establishes the legislative intent.

Section 2 establishes definitions of terms for "Eastern Suffolk BOCES," "Western Suffolk BOCES," and "Suffolk School of Math, Science & Engineering Regional Technology Institute" as well as "The Board."

Section 3 addresses the issues of organization and governance of the Suffolk School of Math, Science & Engineering Regional Technology Institute which is a new corporate entity designed to expand learning opportunities to students residing in the areas served by the Eastern Suffolk BOCES and Western Suffolk BOCES. The institute shall be subject to oversight of the Board of Regents.

This section also states that the Institute shall be operated pursuant to an inter-municipal sharing agreement pursuant to section 119-0 to the General Municipal Law. It also authorizes the creation of an operational board (seven members total, three from each BOCES district and one at large member) and sets forth their duties and responsibilities including, but not limited to, the appointment of an advisory council which shall provide advice on developing technologies and courses of study.

Section 4 sets forth the powers and duties of the aforementioned Board which shall include, but are not limited to, prescribing and operating a full-time course of study, the ability to contract with and enter into cooperative arrangements with private for profit and not-for-profit entities in furtherance of the Institute's technological activities/educational programs, and to determine the school calendar year and school day schedule.

Section 5 sets forth the general requirements such as the annual budget of the Institute which shall be subject to the approval of the governing board of the Eastern Suffolk BOCES and Western Suffolk BOCES The proposed budget shall not take effect unless a majority of members of each BOCES board approves it. If a majority of either BOCES board fails to adopt resolutions approving such tentative budget, the administrators of the Institute shall prepare a contingency budget which shall not exceed the amount of the previous years budget.

Section 6 requires all employees of the Institute to be subject to Part 30 of the Rules of the Board of Regents This section also allows teachers employed in public schools in the State of New York to apply for a leave of absence at their particular school to teach at the Institute. If accepted, these teachers shall be permitted to return to teach in the school district where they were previously teaching without any loss of right, seniority, salary status or other benefits. All individuals employed by the Institute shall be considered public employees and shall receive all rights and privileges accorded thereto.

Section 7 addresses admission of students to the Institute and the eligibility requirements thereto.

Section 8 provides for the ability of the Board, in their municipal sharing agreement, to establish a methodology for the apportionment of operational and administrative costs including capital costs between the Eastern Suffolk BOCES and Western Suffolk BOCES and the allocation of costs to non-component school districts located within the area served by either BOCES or located in a BOCES district which adjoins the areas served by the Eastern Suffolk BOCES and Western Suffolk BOCES which have entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Board to enroll students in the Suffolk School of Math, Science & Engineering Regional Technology Institute.

Section 9 states that any lease entered into by the Institute in excess of ten years shall be subject to the approval of the voters of the component districts within the area served.

Section 10 allows the Board to admit students who are in close proximity to the Institute to attend, despite the fact that they would otherwise be ineligible to attend the Institute.

Section 11 states that all component school districts of Eastern Suffolk BOCES and Western Suffolk BOCES shall be deemed to participate in the Institute and shall be eligible to have students enroll in the Institute and share in the costs of same.

Section 12 establishes the effective date.

Justification

The purpose behind the creation of the Suffolk School of Math, Science & Engineering Regional Technology Institute is to expand learning opportunities to students and foster the development and advancement of emerging technologies. The goal of the Institute is to encourage students to pursue careers in math and science by introducing them to these subject areas in a ways they may not otherwise be exposed in a more traditional academic setting.

Legislative history

2011-12 S.3347; 2009-10 S.3566; 2007-2008, S.7837

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the 180th day.