Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) is one of 38 BOCES in New York State serving 700 public school districts.
In 1955, the boards of education of Brockport, Churchville-Chili, Gates Chili, Greece, Hilton, Spencerport and Wheatland-Chili voted to establish the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of the Second Supervisory District of Monroe County. When the Holley and Kendall school districts joined the BOCES in 1971, we became the Second Supervisory District of Monroe and Orleans counties.
BOCES
2 is governed by a nine-member Board. Approximately 800 full and
part-time employees provide more than 60 separate services. Cooperative
management services at BOCES 2 include the Rochester Area School Health
Plan and the Rochester Area Workers’ Compensation Plan, which have saved
districts collectively over $35 million since the plans were initiated
in 1986 and 1987.
Eleven area high schools
send over 1,000 students to the WEMOCO Career and Technical Education
Center at BOCES 2 where they receive hands-on training and learn
employable skills in 33 different courses in arts and humanities,
business/information systems, engineering, mechanical technologies,
manufacturing, and health and human services.
College
bound seniors can explore professional career interests while earning
high school and college credit in CTE’s New Visions Program. Students
intern in the profession of their choice and receive related academic
instruction in English and social studies.
Education
for Exceptional Children provides programs to meet the needs of
students with a variety of abilities that cannot be completely addressed
by their local school districts. A wide range of educational
opportunities is offered to expand and enrich learning for students with
particular gifts and talents, to teach English to students with limited
English proficiency, and to assist students with varying disabilities
who require special instructional and support services.
One
of the most unusual services at BOCES 2 is the Elementary Science
Program, the largest science instructional support program in the United
States. This nationally-recognized, award-winning program provides
science instructional kits and in-service training programs to school
districts throughout New York State.
Communication
and Technology Services (CaTS) provides computer systems planning,
acquisition and support; computer maintenance and repair; technology
training; school public relations, printing and graphics services; an
extensive media library for instructional and professional development;
and support for school libraries and library staff.
BOCES
2 also offers a labor relations service, grant writing service,
curriculum and staff development opportunities, cooperative purchasing,
and a variety of itinerant services.
The BOCES
system was created by the New York State Legislature in 1948 to
encourage school districts to pool and share resources. Schools receive
BOCES aid from the state to encourage them to cooperate with one
another. BOCES cannot levy taxes. All monies come from payment for
services delivered to the school districts or from grants. Member
districts share in the administrative costs of BOCES, and each member
school district’s board of education must approve the administrative
budget.