History of Sullivan County BOCES

What is a BOCES?
BOCES stands for Board of Cooperative Educational Services. The Sullivan County BOCES is one of 38 such organizations statewide created by the legislature in 1948 to provide shared services to school districts. The Sullivan County BOCES consists of eight school districts; and, by student population, is the second smallest in New York State.

Sullivan County BOCES’ Mission Statement
The mission of Sullivan County BOCES is to increase student performance in all component districts and communities. The Sullivan County Board of Cooperative Educational Services will accomplish this mission through leadership, cooperative services, and collaborative efforts in an economic and efficient manner.

How does BOCES work?
BOCES services are created when two or more school districts decide they have similar needs that can be met by a shared program. BOCES helps school districts save money by providing opportunities to pool resources and share costs. Sharing is a very economical way for districts to provide programs and services that they might not be able to afford otherwise. It is more efficient and less costly to operate one central service instead of having separate programs in each school district. However, BOCES services are often customized, offering districts the flexibility to meet their individual needs.

Who makes the decision about which BOCES services to purchase?
Each year, local Boards of Education review their districts’ needs and make decisions about BOCES services. Because districts’ needs change every year, decisions about BOCES services may also change every year. The decision to participate in BOCES services is based on the unique needs of each district. If the district doesn't’t need a BOCES service, it does not’t request it and will not have to pay for it.

Why do school districts participate in BOCES services?
Because BOCES services are shared by two or more school districts, they cost much less than if districts provided the services on their own. Districts pool their resources, and share the savings. In addition, New York State gives a financial incentive to participate in shared services by offering BOCES state aid for BOCES services. Here is how BOCES state aid works:
· Each district’s Board of Education selects BOCES services for the current year.
· The following school year, a portion of the cost of BOCES services is returned to the district by the state of New York.
· The amount returned to the district is based on a formula that takes into account the district’s financial resources.
· Money returned to the district is used as revenue.

How do districts pay for BOCES services?
With the exception of an administrative charge based on each school district’s size, districts pay only for BOCES services they use. BOCES expenses are incorporated into each district’s annual budget. State aid helps to offset some of the expenses, while the state or federal government directly funds others. BOCES has no taxing authority.

How is BOCES governed?
Each BOCES is governed by a Board of Education made up of representatives from the component school districts. The Board members are elected by the Boards of Education of the component districts. The Sullivan County BOCES Board has nine members, one from each of the eight districts, and a second Board member from Fallsburg.

Sullivan County BOCES’ campus consists of four buildings, including a Rubin Pollack Educational Center, St. John Street Educational Center, Youngsville School, and the Administrative Offices.

Personnel
Full-Time............................315
Hourly/Part-time............... 20

Finance
General Fund....................$ 19,070,424
Special Aid........................$ 3,483,064

How does the BOCES contribute to the economy of Sullivan County?
The Sullivan County BOCES employs 315 full time and 20 part time employees. With a payroll of $446,908.

June 16, 1949
Vote by school Directors, Board Members and Trustees to establish a BOCES.

1950
January 12 - BOCES Board was established
January 23 - BOCES Board was formed. 
        1. C. Arthur Ackerley
        2. Otto Hoos
        3. Elliot Moran
        4. Robert Tait
From Roscoe, Livingston Manor, Jeffersonville, Delaware Valley and Youngsville
Represented the second Supervisory District.

1951
Board Districts: #1 Delaware, #1 Callicoon, #2 Callicoon, #1 Rockland, #2 Rockland, #1 Liberty ( Second Supervisory District).

1966
Started planning Vocational Education. Peter Schwalbenberg was hired as a vocational director.

1967
September 9, 1967: Started BOCES classes; auto body repair, auto mechanics, carpentry, cosmetology and office practice at the old creamery building on Dairyman’s Lane and in the old telephone building at 9 Maple St.
OCC Ed – 110 students, Special Ed - 90 students in home schools

December 1, 1967- first BOCES open house at 9 Maple St and the Creamery Building. Cosmetology and Office Practice were at 9 Maple Street. Auto body, Auto Mechanics and Carpentry were at the Creamery Building.

1968
January 3- A new OCC Ed course added: Electric Repair Cliff Krantz instructor
August 29- The BOCES Board met to plan a building program at the present site. Estimated cost was 1.5 million dollars. The Monticello School Board came out against the site. They suggested sites near the planned community college in Loch Sheldrake, a site in Harris near the hospital, or a site near the airport in Bethel.
September 5-Started classes for emotionally disturbed, brain injured, trainable with an IQ of 50 and educable retarded with an IQ of 50-75.
New OCC Ed classes were Data Processing, Machine Accounting, a second Cosmetology class, a second Auto Mechanics class and a Food Trades class. Betsy Moore, Phil Snedeker, John Pippo and Irwin Windt.

1969
April 25- Occ. Ed open house at 9 Maple Street and the Old Creamery Building.
May 27- The BOCES Teacher’s Association was recognized by the BOCES Board as the negotiating agent for the teaching staff.

1970
June 1- William Jones, retired Roscoe District Principal was hired to head the Department of Special Services.
June 5- First annual Special Ed Recognition Day was held at the Liberty Presbyterian Church.
July 8- Moved Mr. Schwalbenberg and Mrs. Crispell from 9 Maple Street to new offices on the second floor in the back of the green building.
September 4- Sullivan County BOCES proposes a new 2.9 million dollar center.
September 10- A new class, Conservation, started at Dairyman’s Lane.
October 15- The countywide referendum for the new BOCES building was passed.
Summer- Moved two business courses- Machine Accounting and Advanced Business to the Green building third floor, back from 9 Maple Street. Moved two new Special Ed classes to 9 maple Street. Fran Tavormina and R.J. White.

1971
March 15- Henry Paul retired as District Superintendent.
March 15- Peter Schwalbenberg became District Superintendent. He had been Assistant Superintendent.
April 7- Harry Haas was elected to replace Alfred Long.
May 7- BOCES Open House at 9 Maple Street and Dairyman’s Lane.
June 1- Robert Ludwig starts as Director of Vocational Education
June 5- Second Annual Special Ed Recognition at the Liberty Presbyterian Church.
September 9- School opens for students.
Vocational Ed- 248 Students
Special Ed – 175 Students
New Special Ed teachers- Martin Rachels, Judy Kugelmass, Vung S. (Harry) Foo, Deidre Davis, Joan Ernst and Tom Korpita. Joan and Tom opened classes at 9 Maple Street.

1972
February 26- The BOCES Board purchased the property where the campus is now, from the town of Liberty. At the same meeting they agreed to build a 2400 square cottage, to be built as soon as the weather permits, by the vocational trade classes
April 2- (Spring break) started bulldozing for the footings for the cottage foundation.
April 29- Started building a road to the cottage foundation. The ground was too muddy to get a ready-mix truck back to pour the foundation. BOCES borrowed a dump truck from Orange County BOCES. Gene Barbanti and Gene Smith started hauling bank run gravel from Swan Lake.
June 12- Built the water meter pit for the Loomis water district.
April thru June- Worked with Carpentry, Electrical Trades and Conservation classes on the cottage.
July& August- Worked with Bill Cutler, two students, Larry Dole and John Kimmes on the cottage.
August 24- Moved 2 classes in to the Methodist Church basement. (Mrs. Tavormina and Ms. Kugelmass from the 9 Maple Street building.
September 6- Put the turn around circle in front of the cottage and also Pete Schealbenberg’s anchor. The carpentry class renovated a used trailer to be used as a conservation classroom.
September 10- Two special education classes moved into the still unfinished cottage. The teachers were Martin Rachels and Vung S (Harry) Foo. Joanne Kraack was the aide. Unfinished things included windows, carpet, ceiling tiles, light fixtures, paint & trim. Gene Smith worked with carpentry student Glen Ahnstrom to finish up the work around the classes.
September 15- The carpentry and conservation classes started on a new administration building.
December 17- Finished the cottage and went to help build the administration building. Moved 2 move special education classes into 9 Maple Street. (total 4) Joan Ernst, Judy Kugelmass, R.J. White & Tom Koppita/replaced mid-year by Mike Dollard.

1974
The conservation class starts putting up a used metal building to be used for their classroom and for equipment storage (tin barn). The VICA club went to Wurtsboro to sand blast Lizzie and other graffiti off a big rock on Route 17 near exit 113.

1975
April 24- The VICA kids sandblasted a rock face near exit 105A to remove accumulated graffiti.
June 5-The conservation class finished construction of the tin barn. Opened the Swan Lake School-Special Education. Joan Brady, Pat Dixon, Mike Dollard from the Methodist church, Jane Mollitor from Roscoe, Joanne Nocilla from CPC, Don Phillips from St. Peters. Moved Joan Ernst to Roscoe.

1976
We put a foundation under the administration building. Made a second foundation and moved a building from Dairyman’s Lane onto it. Put them together and added a porch to make a bigger administration building. We received six used modular classrooms from Goshen. Eldred Constructions set them up to be Special Education classrooms annex.
October-We had bid opening and ground breaking for the new AEC
November-The contractors started working on AEC. Started new OCC Education Programs; Health Assisting-Mary Ellen Connors-Instructor at the Old Loomis Hospital. Diversified coop- Don Vorhees-coordinator at 9 Maple Street.

1977
The area education building was constructed. We moved OCC Ed and Special Ed classes in.

1979
Finished up the four -classroom addition to the B Wing. Renovated the inside of the annex, built up hall, floor and put down tile. Dropped ceilings in classrooms and carpeted them. Rockland Pych. Moved into a modular house at the south end of our shops. The conservation class helped build them a parking lot.

1981
Built a Special Ed kitchen and a cafeteria in the welding shop. Built a small greenhouse behind the cottage.

1983
Started a scouting program for Special Ed. Joan Ernst was the leader. Special Education students started playing basketball against Orange BOCES. First Quiz Bowl Sue Palguta and Dave Elliot did the program. Superintendents Conference Day “What’s Wrong with BOCES?” AEC was renamed the Rubin Pollack Education Center.

1984
Mr. Pollack retires as District Superintendent on January 31st. Gary Moore becomes District Superintendent. Started building a conference room addition to the Administration Building.

1985
Finished Building a new conference room on the administration building. Also made offices in the basement for librarian and teacher center. Five Modulars came in and were set up with a hall between for Special Ed classes. Started a BOCES Safety Committee Gary Cormier was the leader.

1986
Five more modulars were opened. Built a road to the upper annex. Made an agreement and were hooked up to the town sewer. Set up the upper annex modulars. Built an office in Auto Mechanics 1 and a classroom in Auto Body. Put in playground equipment.

1987
Put in a Telaplus phone system on the campus. Cooperative extension built their new building. We ran their sewer line through our pump station and the town gave us some property out back. Opened the upper annex for classes. County modular was set on a pad we made to be used as the assessment center (employment & training). Charlie Horowitz and Gene Barbanti had a building constructed for us to use as an administration building. Team program was set up in the green building. The team program that was set up in the green building had safety issues and they had to move out.

1988
Had planning meetings to reorganize the campus. Moved Special Education to RPEC, Cosmetology to the cottage, Security/Law and Health to Vo-Tech1. Moved Administration and SETRC to 85 Ferndale Loomis Road.

1989
Started a Preventative Maintenance Program. Planned a transformer program.

1991
Looked at National Guard Building in Monticello for Adult program. Started Basic Electronics and Building Maintenance. Moved RCPC into Annex room 1.

1992
Gary Moore retires, Kevin Colpoys starts as District Superintendent. Opened BAFLC at Monticello. Moved out of 16 School Street. TEAM and GRASP went to Monticello. Built Vo-Tech offices in Auto Mechanics 1 shop. Started working on Ropes course. Started construction of Vo-Tech modulars.

1993
Two classrooms were added to Vo-Tech modular“D” building. Lifted annex and put a foundation under it. New brick face, doors, windows, heat, air conditioning, etc. Repainted outside of out buildings, Taos Tan, Tudor brown and Navajo white. Blizzard of ’93 was on March 13th with 2‘snow and 5’-7’ drifts. Built Project Adventure Ropes Course. Poured a concrete floor in administration basement for childcare and conference rooms.

1994
Opened childcare under the administration building. Added four classrooms and a connecting corridor to “D” wing for a total of six classrooms. Interviewed architects and formed a planning committee for new facilities. We planned a referendum vote for an addition to our school and to buy the administration building but it was voted down.

1995
AD-HOC committee did tours of the campus from January-March. BAFLC renovations in the childcare area. Did space searches for off site space. Looked at Youngsville School, renovated it and moved alternative education high school. Tore down modular classrooms to make room for ten-classroom addition.

1996
Renovated the “D” wing basement, moved library and planned additions and renovations to RPEC. Made new offices in administration building and moved RCPC to the other side of the building. Started building ten classroom building and Ag. Mech. Building.

1997
A new matrix phone system at campus with an auto attendant was installed. Moved health program to annex. Finished ten-classroom building, Ag. Mech. Bldg and made cafeteria/kitchen/gym renovations. BOCES commits to Monticello Middle School. Referendum for Monticello Middle School passes. Made more Career and Tech offices. Moved basic electronics to Vo-Tech1. Kevin Colpoys leaves and William Ledoux becomes Interim Superintendent.

1998
We tried to cut costs on the Monticello Middle School project. We planned renovations and programs. Mr. Handler-new District Superintendent June 1st. Started a computer repair course in Monticello. Started looking at performance contracting.

1999
JYCS track Gene Smith project manager & Ag. Mech. Class buried conduits. Jack Maroun’s computer program (Model Schools) starts. Monticello Middle School project is still on hold. Began Seiman’s performance contracting planning. Administration and ISS moves to 6 Wierk Ave with renovations leaving 85 Ferndale Loomis Rd. Bill Drasher’s carpentry class was working at Liberty Museum. A New Phone system for 6 Wierk Ave- Matrix & Centrex. Started Facilities Task Force. Moved RCPC to upper annex from 85 Ferndale Loomis Rd. Moved some Special Education classes to Liberty and White Sulphur Springs. Added two Career and Tech Classes-Intro to OCC. and Computer Graphics in “D” wing.

2000
Gary Carlson and Karla Scheinman join the BOCES board. Ed Furchak and Vernon Kopf replace Jess Abel and Gene Ganz as President and Vice President after 12 years. May 13th - BOCES 50th Anniversary Dinner was held at the Club at Villa Roma. Otto Hoos, one of the original board members was honored. Sieman's Building Technologies was contracted for a performance efficiency contract.

2001
June - the performance contract was completed by Siemans. Jess Abel died, and was replaced on the board by Margaret Sabinsky. Distance Learning came to BOCES room A-4 at the Rubin Pollack Education Center.

2002
January - Renovations started at the St. John Street Education Center. June- the Adult Education Program moved from 47 Plaza Drive Monticello to the St John Street Education Center. September - School opened on schedule at the SJSED and included CTE classes and Catskill Idea. January - Serendipity opened for business. Gloria Hemmer & Peter Riisenberg retired. Donna Bright replaced Gloria Hemmer, Susan Schmidt replaced Peter Riisenberg and Donna Karkos replaced Susan Schmidt. August - A reconstruction project was started at the Rubin Pollack Education Center. December -The new flagpole was dedicated to the veterans.

2003
January - A new wash water separator was installed in the Ag Mech building. March - the new sign was installed at the Rubin Pollack Education Center. Denise Cedeira resigned as Treasurer and Keith Menges replaced her.

2004
September - Career & Tech introduced two new programs - Animal Science and Precision Machinery. Career & Tech enrollment jumped to the highest levels in the 50 year history of the BOCES. Discussions started about proposing a new building project to accommodate the increased need of space at the Rubin Pollack facility.

2005
BOCES' enrollment numbers continue to increase. The BOCES is now faced with a shortage of space. To deal with the shortage a building committee was developed to determine the best way to deal with the situation. In November, meeting started with various community members to inform them and get their support on a new capital project. The $17.2 million project included building a new wing to the Rubin Pollack Education Center. This new wing would house the younger Special Education classes. Additional renovations would take place in the existing space to create more Career & Tech classrooms. On March 17, a county-wide referendum was held to vote on the project. The referendum was voted down by a 3.3 to 1 margin. To meet the needs of Special Education, the White Sulphur Springs school will be leased short term until a permanent solution is found. Bernard Olff replaced Vernon Kopf as Vice President of the BOCES Board. Mark Rathbun replaced Denise Sullivan as the Supervisor of Alternative Education. Denise Sullivan replaced John Jordan as Director of Career & Technical Education.

2006
BOCES' enrollment numbers continue to increase. The BOCES leases the White Sulphur Springs School from Liberty Central School to address the shortage of space issue to meet the needs of Special Education. Linda Berkowicz and Vilma Wells join the BOCES Board. Karla Scheinman and Margaret Sabinsky resign from the the BOCES board. AJ Berger replaced Mark Rathbun as the Supervisor of Alternative Education.

2007
BOCES' enrollment numbers continue to increase. The BOCES is still faced with a shortage of space. A $5.78 million building project was proposed to the component Boards for approval. Seven of the eight Boards approved the project. Sullivan West turned down the project therefore the proposal never went to public vote. The project included the purchase of the WSS School and building renovations to the WSS School.


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	Where Futures Begin!
	History of Sullivan County BOCES
	What is a BOCES? BOCES stands for Board of Cooperative Educational Services. The Sullivan County BOCES is one of 38 such organizations statewide created by the legislature in 1948 to provide shared services to school districts. The Sullivan County BOCES consists of eight school districts; and, by student population, is the second smallest in New York State. Sullivan County BOCES’ Mission Statement The mission of Sullivan County BOCES is to increase student performance in all component districts and communities. The Sullivan County Board of Cooperative Educational Services will accomplish this mission through leadership, cooperative services, and collaborative efforts in an economic and efficient manner. How does BOCES work? BOCES services are created when two or more school districts decide they have similar needs that can be met by a shared program. BOCES helps school districts save money by providing opportunities to pool resources and share costs. Sharing is a very economical way for districts to provide programs and services that they might not be able to afford otherwise. It is more efficient and less costly to operate one central service instead of having separate programs in each school district. However, BOCES services are often customized, offering districts the flexibility to meet their individual needs. Who makes the decision about which BOCES services to purchase? Each year, local Boards of Education review their districts’ needs and make decisions about BOCES services. Because districts’ needs change every year, decisions about BOCES services may also change every year. The decision to participate in BOCES services is based on the unique needs of each district. If the district doesn't’t need a BOCES service, it does not’t request it and will not have to pay for it. Why do school districts participate in BOCES services? Because BOCES services are shared by two or more school districts, they cost much less than if districts provided the services on their own. Districts pool their resources, and share the savings. In addition, New York State gives a financial incentive to participate in shared services by offering BOCES state aid for BOCES services. Here is how BOCES state aid works: · Each district’s Board of Education selects BOCES services for the current year. · The following school year, a portion of the cost of BOCES services is returned to the district by the state of New York. · The amount returned to the district is based on a formula that takes into account the district’s financial resources. · Money returned to the district is used as revenue. How do districts pay for BOCES services? With the exception of an administrative charge based on each school district’s size, districts pay only for BOCES services they use. BOCES expenses are incorporated into each district’s annual budget. State aid helps to offset some of the expenses, while the state or federal government directly funds others. BOCES has no taxing authority. How is BOCES governed? Each BOCES is governed by a Board of Education made up of representatives from the component school districts. The Board members are elected by the Boards of Education of the component districts. The Sullivan County BOCES Board has nine members, one from each of the eight districts, and a second Board member from Fallsburg. Sullivan County BOCES’ campus consists of four buildings, including a Rubin Pollack Educational Center, St. John Street Educational Center, Youngsville School, and the Administrative Offices. Personnel Full-Time............................315 Hourly/Part-time............... 20 Total.................................. 335 Finance General Fund....................$ 19,070,424 Special Aid........................$ 3,483,064 Total..................................$ 22,553,488 How does the BOCES contribute to the economy of Sullivan County? The Sullivan County BOCES employs 315 full time and 20 part time employees. With a payroll of $446,908. Back to top Sullivan BOCES From its Inception: June 16, 1949 Vote by school Directors, Board Members and Trustees to establish a BOCES. 1950 January 12 - BOCES Board was established January 23 - BOCES Board was formed. 1. C. Arthur Ackerley 2. Otto Hoos 3. Elliot Moran 4. Robert Tait From Roscoe, Livingston Manor, Jeffersonville, Delaware Valley and Youngsville Represented the second Supervisory District. 1951 Board Districts: #1 Delaware, #1 Callicoon, #2 Callicoon, #1 Rockland, #2 Rockland, #1 Liberty ( Second Supervisory District). 1966 Started planning Vocational Education. Peter Schwalbenberg was hired as a vocational director. 1967 September 9, 1967: Started BOCES classes; auto body repair, auto mechanics, carpentry, cosmetology and office practice at the old creamery building on Dairyman’s Lane and in the old telephone building at 9 Maple St. OCC Ed – 110 students, Special Ed - 90 students in home schools December 1, 1967- first BOCES open house at 9 Maple St and the Creamery Building. Cosmetology and Office Practice were at 9 Maple Street. Auto body, Auto Mechanics and Carpentry were at the Creamery Building. 1968 January 3- A new OCC Ed course added: Electric Repair Cliff Krantz instructor August 29- The BOCES Board met to plan a building program at the present site. Estimated cost was 1.5 million dollars. The Monticello School Board came out against the site. They suggested sites near the planned community college in Loch Sheldrake, a site in Harris near the hospital, or a site near the airport in Bethel. September 5-Started classes for emotionally disturbed, brain injured, trainable with an IQ of 50 and educable retarded with an IQ of 50-75. New OCC Ed classes were Data Processing, Machine Accounting, a second Cosmetology class, a second Auto Mechanics class and a Food Trades class. Betsy Moore, Phil Snedeker, John Pippo and Irwin Windt. 1969 April 25- Occ. Ed open house at 9 Maple Street and the Old Creamery Building. May 27- The BOCES Teacher’s Association was recognized by the BOCES Board as the negotiating agent for the teaching staff. 1970 June 1- William Jones, retired Roscoe District Principal was hired to head the Department of Special Services. June 5- First annual Special Ed Recognition Day was held at the Liberty Presbyterian Church. July 8- Moved Mr. Schwalbenberg and Mrs. Crispell from 9 Maple Street to new offices on the second floor in the back of the green building. September 4- Sullivan County BOCES proposes a new 2.9 million dollar center. September 10- A new class, Conservation, started at Dairyman’s Lane. October 15- The countywide referendum for the new BOCES building was passed. Summer- Moved two business courses- Machine Accounting and Advanced Business to the Green building third floor, back from 9 Maple Street. Moved two new Special Ed classes to 9 maple Street. Fran Tavormina and R.J. White. 1971 March 15- Henry Paul retired as District Superintendent. March 15- Peter Schwalbenberg became District Superintendent. He had been Assistant Superintendent. April 7- Harry Haas was elected to replace Alfred Long. May 7- BOCES Open House at 9 Maple Street and Dairyman’s Lane. June 1- Robert Ludwig starts as Director of Vocational Education June 5- Second Annual Special Ed Recognition at the Liberty Presbyterian Church. September 9- School opens for students. Vocational Ed- 248 Students Special Ed – 175 Students New Special Ed teachers- Martin Rachels, Judy Kugelmass, Vung S. (Harry) Foo, Deidre Davis, Joan Ernst and Tom Korpita. Joan and Tom opened classes at 9 Maple Street. 1972 February 26- The BOCES Board purchased the property where the campus is now, from the town of Liberty. At the same meeting they agreed to build a 2400 square cottage, to be built as soon as the weather permits, by the vocational trade classes April 2- (Spring break) started bulldozing for the footings for the cottage foundation. April 29- Started building a road to the cottage foundation. The ground was too muddy to get a ready-mix truck back to pour the foundation. BOCES borrowed a dump truck from Orange County BOCES. Gene Barbanti and Gene Smith started hauling bank run gravel from Swan Lake. June 12- Built the water meter pit for the Loomis water district. April thru June- Worked with Carpentry, Electrical Trades and Conservation classes on the cottage. July& August- Worked with Bill Cutler, two students, Larry Dole and John Kimmes on the cottage. August 24- Moved 2 classes in to the Methodist Church basement. (Mrs. Tavormina and Ms. Kugelmass from the 9 Maple Street building. September 6- Put the turn around circle in front of the cottage and also Pete Schealbenberg’s anchor. The carpentry class renovated a used trailer to be used as a conservation classroom. September 10- Two special education classes moved into the still unfinished cottage. The teachers were Martin Rachels and Vung S (Harry) Foo. Joanne Kraack was the aide. Unfinished things included windows, carpet, ceiling tiles, light fixtures, paint & trim. Gene Smith worked with carpentry student Glen Ahnstrom to finish up the work around the classes. September 15- The carpentry and conservation classes started on a new administration building. December 17- Finished the cottage and went to help build the administration building. Moved 2 move special education classes into 9 Maple Street. (total 4) Joan Ernst, Judy Kugelmass, R.J. White & Tom Koppita/replaced mid-year by Mike Dollard. 1973 Finished building the new administration building on site. 1974 The conservation class starts putting up a used metal building to be used for their classroom and for equipment storage (tin barn). The VICA club went to Wurtsboro to sand blast Lizzie and other graffiti off a big rock on Route 17 near exit 113. 1975 April 24- The VICA kids sandblasted a rock face near exit 105A to remove accumulated graffiti. June 5-The conservation class finished construction of the tin barn. Opened the Swan Lake School-Special Education. Joan Brady, Pat Dixon, Mike Dollard from the Methodist church, Jane Mollitor from Roscoe, Joanne Nocilla from CPC, Don Phillips from St. Peters. Moved Joan Ernst to Roscoe. 1976 We put a foundation under the administration building. Made a second foundation and moved a building from Dairyman’s Lane onto it. Put them together and added a porch to make a bigger administration building. We received six used modular classrooms from Goshen. Eldred Constructions set them up to be Special Education classrooms annex. October-We had bid opening and ground breaking for the new AEC November-The contractors started working on AEC. Started new OCC Education Programs; Health Assisting-Mary Ellen Connors-Instructor at the Old Loomis Hospital. Diversified coop- Don Vorhees-coordinator at 9 Maple Street. 1977 The area education building was constructed. We moved OCC Ed and Special Ed classes in. 1979 Finished up the four -classroom addition to the B Wing. Renovated the inside of the annex, built up hall, floor and put down tile. Dropped ceilings in classrooms and carpeted them. Rockland Pych. Moved into a modular house at the south end of our shops. The conservation class helped build them a parking lot. 1980 We had classes in the Swan Lake School. 1981 Built a Special Ed kitchen and a cafeteria in the welding shop. Built a small greenhouse behind the cottage. 1983 Started a scouting program for Special Ed. Joan Ernst was the leader. Special Education students started playing basketball against Orange BOCES. First Quiz Bowl Sue Palguta and Dave Elliot did the program. Superintendents Conference Day “What’s Wrong with BOCES?” AEC was renamed the Rubin Pollack Education Center. 1984 Mr. Pollack retires as District Superintendent on January 31st. Gary Moore becomes District Superintendent. Started building a conference room addition to the Administration Building. 1985 Finished Building a new conference room on the administration building. Also made offices in the basement for librarian and teacher center. Five Modulars came in and were set up with a hall between for Special Ed classes. Started a BOCES Safety Committee Gary Cormier was the leader. 1986 Five more modulars were opened. Built a road to the upper annex. Made an agreement and were hooked up to the town sewer. Set up the upper annex modulars. Built an office in Auto Mechanics 1 and a classroom in Auto Body. Put in playground equipment. 1987 Put in a Telaplus phone system on the campus. Cooperative extension built their new building. We ran their sewer line through our pump station and the town gave us some property out back. Opened the upper annex for classes. County modular was set on a pad we made to be used as the assessment center (employment & training). Charlie Horowitz and Gene Barbanti had a building constructed for us to use as an administration building. Team program was set up in the green building. The team program that was set up in the green building had safety issues and they had to move out. 1988 Had planning meetings to reorganize the campus. Moved Special Education to RPEC, Cosmetology to the cottage, Security/Law and Health to Vo-Tech1. Moved Administration and SETRC to 85 Ferndale Loomis Road. 1989 Started a Preventative Maintenance Program. Planned a transformer program. 1990 Moved TEAM and GRASP into 16 School Street. 1991 Looked at National Guard Building in Monticello for Adult program. Started Basic Electronics and Building Maintenance. Moved RCPC into Annex room 1. 1992 Gary Moore retires, Kevin Colpoys starts as District Superintendent. Opened BAFLC at Monticello. Moved out of 16 School Street. TEAM and GRASP went to Monticello. Built Vo-Tech offices in Auto Mechanics 1 shop. Started working on Ropes course. Started construction of Vo-Tech modulars. 1993 Two classrooms were added to Vo-Tech modular“D” building. Lifted annex and put a foundation under it. New brick face, doors, windows, heat, air conditioning, etc. Repainted outside of out buildings, Taos Tan, Tudor brown and Navajo white. Blizzard of ’93 was on March 13th with 2‘snow and 5’-7’ drifts. Built Project Adventure Ropes Course. Poured a concrete floor in administration basement for childcare and conference rooms. 1994 Opened childcare under the administration building. Added four classrooms and a connecting corridor to “D” wing for a total of six classrooms. Interviewed architects and formed a planning committee for new facilities. We planned a referendum vote for an addition to our school and to buy the administration building but it was voted down. 1995 AD-HOC committee did tours of the campus from January-March. BAFLC renovations in the childcare area. Did space searches for off site space. Looked at Youngsville School, renovated it and moved alternative education high school. Tore down modular classrooms to make room for ten-classroom addition. 1996 Renovated the “D” wing basement, moved library and planned additions and renovations to RPEC. Made new offices in administration building and moved RCPC to the other side of the building. Started building ten classroom building and Ag. Mech. Building. 1997 A new matrix phone system at campus with an auto attendant was installed. Moved health program to annex. Finished ten-classroom building, Ag. Mech. Bldg and made cafeteria/kitchen/gym renovations. BOCES commits to Monticello Middle School. Referendum for Monticello Middle School passes. Made more Career and Tech offices. Moved basic electronics to Vo-Tech1. Kevin Colpoys leaves and William Ledoux becomes Interim Superintendent. 1998 We tried to cut costs on the Monticello Middle School project. We planned renovations and programs. Mr. Handler-new District Superintendent June 1st. Started a computer repair course in Monticello. Started looking at performance contracting. 1999 JYCS track Gene Smith project manager & Ag. Mech. Class buried conduits. Jack Maroun’s computer program (Model Schools) starts. Monticello Middle School project is still on hold. Began Seiman’s performance contracting planning. Administration and ISS moves to 6 Wierk Ave with renovations leaving 85 Ferndale Loomis Rd. Bill Drasher’s carpentry class was working at Liberty Museum. A New Phone system for 6 Wierk Ave- Matrix & Centrex. Started Facilities Task Force. Moved RCPC to upper annex from 85 Ferndale Loomis Rd. Moved some Special Education classes to Liberty and White Sulphur Springs. Added two Career and Tech Classes-Intro to OCC. and Computer Graphics in “D” wing. 2000 Gary Carlson and Karla Scheinman join the BOCES board. Ed Furchak and Vernon Kopf replace Jess Abel and Gene Ganz as President and Vice President after 12 years. May 13th - BOCES 50th Anniversary Dinner was held at the Club at Villa Roma. Otto Hoos, one of the original board members was honored. Sieman's Building Technologies was contracted for a performance efficiency contract. 2001 June - the performance contract was completed by Siemans. Jess Abel died, and was replaced on the board by Margaret Sabinsky. Distance Learning came to BOCES room A-4 at the Rubin Pollack Education Center. 2002 January - Renovations started at the St. John Street Education Center. June- the Adult Education Program moved from 47 Plaza Drive Monticello to the St John Street Education Center. September - School opened on schedule at the SJSED and included CTE classes and Catskill Idea. January - Serendipity opened for business. Gloria Hemmer & Peter Riisenberg retired. Donna Bright replaced Gloria Hemmer, Susan Schmidt replaced Peter Riisenberg and Donna Karkos replaced Susan Schmidt. August - A reconstruction project was started at the Rubin Pollack Education Center. December -The new flagpole was dedicated to the veterans. 2003 January - A new wash water separator was installed in the Ag Mech building. March - the new sign was installed at the Rubin Pollack Education Center. Denise Cedeira resigned as Treasurer and Keith Menges replaced her. 2004 September - Career & Tech introduced two new programs - Animal Science and Precision Machinery. Career & Tech enrollment jumped to the highest levels in the 50 year history of the BOCES. Discussions started about proposing a new building project to accommodate the increased need of space at the Rubin Pollack facility. 2005 BOCES' enrollment numbers continue to increase. The BOCES is now faced with a shortage of space. To deal with the shortage a building committee was developed to determine the best way to deal with the situation. In November, meeting started with various community members to inform them and get their support on a new capital project. The $17.2 million project included building a new wing to the Rubin Pollack Education Center. This new wing would house the younger Special Education classes. Additional renovations would take place in the existing space to create more Career & Tech classrooms. On March 17, a county-wide referendum was held to vote on the project. The referendum was voted down by a 3.3 to 1 margin. To meet the needs of Special Education, the White Sulphur Springs school will be leased short term until a permanent solution is found. Bernard Olff replaced Vernon Kopf as Vice President of the BOCES Board. Mark Rathbun replaced Denise Sullivan as the Supervisor of Alternative Education. Denise Sullivan replaced John Jordan as Director of Career & Technical Education. 2006 BOCES' enrollment numbers continue to increase. The BOCES leases the White Sulphur Springs School from Liberty Central School to address the shortage of space issue to meet the needs of Special Education. Linda Berkowicz and Vilma Wells join the BOCES Board. Karla Scheinman and Margaret Sabinsky resign from the the BOCES board. AJ Berger replaced Mark Rathbun as the Supervisor of Alternative Education. 2007 BOCES' enrollment numbers continue to increase. The BOCES is still faced with a shortage of space. A $5.78 million building project was proposed to the component Boards for approval. Seven of the eight Boards approved the project. Sullivan West turned down the project therefore the proposal never went to public vote. The project included the purchase of the WSS School and building renovations to the WSS School. Back to top
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