Mission

Vision

Beliefs

• Successful inclusive organizations create effective operational systems and enable diverse individuals to take responsibility for their actions, be accountable for the programs and services they deliver, and use all of their expertise and resources to meet the expectations of those they serve.
• Everyone has the right to a safe, healthy, caring, and inclusive environment which fosters equity and cultural proficiency, respect and high expectations, maximizes potential, motivates interest and enthusiasm, and encourages the sharing of ideas.
• We are a diverse community of reflective, lifelong learners, both children and adults.
• Our diverse community of children and adult learners is a valuable resource entitled to high quality equitable instruction and services.
• Respect, honesty, trust, and integrity are essential in all of our interactions.
• The foundation of our organizational success is grounded in continuous evaluation, high standards, innovation, and effective communication through a lens of equity and inclusivity.
• The integrity, equity, and high standards of our educational programs are reflected in our student outcomes, and provide students with the skills they need to become responsible citizens and contributing members of the global society.
• Effective communication which provides space for all voices to be heard and accurate information to be exchanged, improves understanding, and enhances engagement of all stakeholders.
• Quality, equitable outcomes depend on the collective effort of a diverse, inclusive, well- developed, and motivated workforce that embraces the agency’s mission and beliefs.

Goals

1. HIGH STANDARDS FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT -

   Eastern Suffolk BOCES will ensure that every student who is educated in an Eastern Suffolk BOCES program meets or exceeds expectations set by the New York State Board of Regents and/or is prepared for career or post-secondary opportunities.

2. STAFF DEVELOPMENT -

   Eastern Suffolk BOCES will provide continued professional growth for current and future educators, leaders, and support staff through coordinated programs of effective, affordable, and accessible professional development based on regional needs.

3. SHARED SERVICES -

   Eastern Suffolk BOCES will promote and offer a wide array of inclusive services designed to meet the needs of school districts within the region, and facilitate partnerships between school districts, business and industry, municipalities, and institutions of higher education.

4. PROGRAM AND SERVICES AVAILABILITY -

   Eastern Suffolk BOCES will be responsive to the diverse needs of the region through the creation and equitable delivery of high-quality, innovative programs and inclusive services.

5. COST EFFECTIVENESS, QUALITY MANAGEMENT, AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY -

   Eastern Suffolk BOCES will operate with optimum efficiency consistent with the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective programs and services, will utilize best management practices, and will actively seek new funding sources to aid in accomplishing its goals.

6. TECHNOLOGY -

   Eastern Suffolk BOCES will continuously use an integrated system of technology to enhance operational and instructional effectiveness, efficiency, and equity to support improved outcomes for all members of the educational community.

7. STRATEGIC PLANNING -

   Eastern Suffolk BOCES will regularly seek stakeholder input to identify, assess, prioritize, and communicate its goals and objectives using a flexible strategic planning and budgetary process to support this endeavor.

8. HEALTH, SAFETY, SECURITY, AND SPACE -

   Eastern Suffolk BOCES will ensure that all students and staff have a safe, secure, and healthy environment in which to learn and work, in appropriate space available throughout the region.

9. PUBLIC INFORMATION -

   Eastern Suffolk BOCES will ensure that all stakeholders and their communities are knowledgeable about the full range and benefits of Eastern Suffolk BOCES programs and services in an effort to ensure equitable access.

10. INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS -

    Eastern Suffolk BOCES will ensure that all staff are fully informed about programs, services, and our commitment to strategic planning.

11. HUMAN RESOURCES -

    Eastern Suffolk BOCES will recruit and retain, and support a highly-qualified and diverse staff, and serve as a regional resource for human resource administration while promoting equity and inclusivity.

12. RESEARCH, PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT, AND REGIONAL ADVOCACY -

    Eastern Suffolk BOCES will meet the present and future needs of its diverse stakeholders through outreach, research, program improvement, and regional advocacy.

History

In 1948, a New York State law called the Intermediate School District Act gave the go-ahead for certain small school districts to combine their purchasing power, thus forming the first BOCES. By sharing the costs of services and programs through the BOCES, the districts could now assure high quality programs for students while saving their taxpayers money.

School districts are not required to use any BOCES programs or services. They choose to purchase a BOCES service rather than providing it on their own when they believe that the cost and quality warrant it. (In this sense, a BOCES resembles a business more than a public school district, though the BOCES are not organized for profit.) If a member district determines that it can provide the service better and/or for less money on its own, the district is free to do so.

When two or more districts within a BOCES identify a need (for example, special educational classes) it is the responsibility of their BOCES to help them fill the need. In this way, new BOCES programs and services are created at the request of member districts.

Member districts share the cost of the services in which they participate. Each district pays a percentage of the total cost, based on how much service it purchases. The more school districts that participate, the lower the cost for everyone.

There are 37 BOCES in New York State. Statewide BOCES website.