Passed in 1948, the act was aimed at enabling small rural school districts to combine their resources to provide services that otherwise would have been uneconomical, inefficient, or unavailable.
Though its purposes were similar to those of the proposed intermediate districts, BOCES was conceived and written into the Education Law in its own separate sections (1950 and 1951).
[1][2] Simpler in structure and less autonomous than projected intermediate districts, the BOCES proved itself worthy of being both means and end.
Thus BOCES has developed from a special-purpose, interim agency into a formally recognized middle or intermediate unit in New York State's public education system.
Once a district has joined a BOCES, it cannot withdraw and is obligated to pay its annual share of administrative, rental, or facilities expenses.
BOCES helps school districts save money by providing opportunities to pool resources and share costs.
Because the BOCES board must develop its offerings to fulfill local demands and needs, levels of accountability and flexibility are maintained.
BOCES boards then notify component districts of the approved services, asking for a firm commitment to participate by May 1 of each year.
In addition, BOCES may receive and manage funding from outside sources (e.g., state and federal) to cover special projects.
The component district's share of BOCES administrative, lease and capital costs are based either on the Resident Weighted Average Daily Attendance (RWADA) or on real property valuation.
Related personnel often support the program and are housed at the on-site location while Itinerant staff provide services to component districts on an individual or case-by-case basis.
They are not classroom programs, support services still relate to the education of students, and because they help school districts save money.
An example of programs that BOCES might offer are Academics Support, Auto Body Repair, Auto Technology, Aviation, Aviation Mechanical Technician, Building Maintenance, Business Computer Technology, Carpentry, Computer Repair and Networking, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Electrical Wiring Technology, Forestry & Conservation, Gas/Diesel Mechanics, Life Skills, Medical Careers, New Vision Health, New Visions: Law & Government, Nursing Assistant, Practical Nursing, Small Animal Care, Welding, and Visual Communications.