Putnam, Northern Westchester Boces Seeks Input From School Districts

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. -- Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES seeks feedback from its 18 area school districts through a variety of advisory committees, as well as regular forums for school social workers, guidance/school counselors, ESL teachers, special education leaders and others and through a BOCES advisory committee.

Putnam, Northern Westchester BOCES sought input from district staff, administrators, teachers and leaders at a recent meeting.
Photo Credit: *acftrainingcentre.org*

by Alesha Hanson

12/12/2014 5:00 a.m.

BOCES hosted its second annual meeting of the Education Programs and Services Advisory Committee Dec. 10 at its Yorktown campus. Representatives from across the region spent two hours detailing what they believe to be BOCES’ strengths, weaknesses, barriers and opportunities, all with an eye toward helping the agency improve its services in special education, career and technical education, guidance and professional development.

Participants praised BOCES for its transparency, flexibility, innovation and responsiveness. Examples of responsiveness included special education programs created during the past year in direct response to requests from the school districts in the region, such as Back on Track, an alternative to out-of-school suspension; and ITSP, the intensive therapeutic support program for students experiencing temporary, acute emotional crises.

Suggestions for improvement included streamlining the application process for some programs and creating summer Tech Center programs for special needs students. Participants also urged that BOCES continue to look for ways to help area districts save money while meeting students’ needs.

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