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Please click on the links below to jump to information about a particular topic. Preface BOCES Name Legal Status Colorado BOCES Independent Programs Why Do We Have BOCES? BOCES Government BOCES History BOCES Financing Successful BOCES.. Associates BOCES Members For a downloadable flyer that contains all of this information, please click HERE. Preface
Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) are an
important and vital part of the public educational system in
Colorado. The
purpose of this document is to provide an overview of the role
of BOCES and the services they provide districts and students
across Colorado.
BOCES services are those needed by children, their families, and
school personnel, which can be more efficiently provided across
school districts; examples of such services are provided on page
5. Better
understanding of the process will potentially emphasize the
important contributions of BOCES to the educational system of
Colorado.
Colorado’s BOCES (or Educational Services agencies) are unique
in that they are an extension of the local member school
districts. A BOCES
in Colorado exists at the discretion of its members and provides
only those programs and services authorized by its members.
BOCES is an acronym made up of the individual letters of the
longer title—Board of Cooperative (Educational) Services.
It is pronounced BO-Sees for a more simple and concise
term. The statutory
name of BOCES is Board of Cooperative Services, as set forth by
Title 22, Article 5, C.R.S., Boards of Cooperative Services Act
of 1965.
BOCES were established under the Boards of Cooperative Services
Act of 1965 and upon adoption, the General Assembly declared:
“…this article is enacted for the general improvement and
expansion of educational services of the public schools in the
state of Colorado; for the creation of boards of cooperative
services wherever feasible for purposes of enabling two or more
school districts to cooperate in furnishing services authorized
by law…”
Are BOCES Unique to Colorado?
Yes and no.
Thirty-two states have established what are commonly known as
Educational Service Agencies (ESA’s) or Regional Educational
Service Agencies (RESA’s).
In many states these agencies function at a regional level
between the State Educational Agency and the local school
district. It may
serve as an extension of the State Educational Agency or it may
operate as an independent agency from either state or local
control.
Still in other states, the RESA or ESA have specific duties and
tasks assigned by the State.
They are governed by an elected board, which has the
authority to levy a tax, receive direct financial support and
provide mandated services to local school districts.
On May 23, 1966, the school board presidents of the fourteen school districts in the San Luis Valley met and established the first BOCES in Colorado. Today there are 21 BOCES in Colorado with several established as Special Purpose BOCES providing limited programs or a single service. Most of the BOCES in Colorado are general purpose in nature and provide a broad range of services and programs.
Can A BOCES Conduct Independent Programs?
No. Any programs or
activities operated by a BOCES must be approved and authorized
by its Board of Directors.
Some programs may be for all members while other
activities may be for a smaller number of BOCES members.
Why Do We Have BOCES?
BOCES exist to supply educational services to two or more school
districts that alone cannot afford the service, or find it
advantageous and cost-effective to cooperate with other
districts. These
services represent a financial commitment that is best met by
several districts sharing costs and programs.
In some instances, BOCES also operate as Special
Education Administrative Units, in which Colorado Revised
Statutes require a minimum number of students or participants in
order to qualify.
The following examples are not intended to limit or define the
scope of a BOCES, but rather are illustrative of the variety of
services currently provided:
The success of the BOCES concept is rooted in its cooperative,
service-driven philosophy.
Each BOCES exists because the school districts it serves
see the value of the services provided.
Individual districts may lack the personnel or the fiscal
resources required to provide a broad range of administrative
and student services.
By pooling resources, districts reduce costs, avoid
duplication, and provide for a more comprehensive range of
services and programs.
Being service-driven, BOCES have the flexibility to respond quickly to
the evolving needs of today’s changing student population.
Programs can be developed, training provided, or
outside expertise engaged as situations arise.
BOCES also understand that school districts do not
exist in isolation and most reach out to engage the
community–at-large.
To that end, the BOCES work in partnership with colleges,
libraries, health care providers, mental health
professionals and others
How are BOCES Governed?
Each BOCES is governed by a Board of Directors.
Each legal member of the BOCES appoints one of its board
members to serve on the BOCES Board.
An alternate is usually
appointed as well.
Additionally any post secondary member of the BOCES may have its
governing board appoint its assigned member of the BOCES Board.
The Board is required by law to meet at least four times
a year.
The Board of Directors appoints an Executive Director who serves
as the person responsible for the administering the affairs of
the BOCES. It is
important to note that since the BOCES serves its member school
districts, there is a need for communication and information
among the members.
Each BOCES has an Advisory Council composed of the
Superintendent or his/her designee.
This group advises the Executive Director and Board, and
assists in planning and implementing the programs and services
that will be made available to the member districts.
The Advisory Council usually meets monthly and provides
critical input into the BOCES operations and its direction.
With the flexibility in the law that two or more districts can
create a BOCES to furnish services, there are three basic types
of BOCES in Colorado.
Some serve only as a special education administrative
unit; others serve only as specialized BOCES providing services
such as professional development, risk management insurance, or
operate an alternative school; the third type is a mixture of
the first two that serve as a special education administrative
unit as well as provide an array of different services for its
member districts.
How are BOCES Financed?
Participating member districts financially support BOCES.
The members may also, through pooled plans and resources,
submit a common application for programs that allow specific
financial support for BOCES.
Originally seventeen BOCES received ten thousand dollars
annually; in later years specifically designated for staff
development.
Although the number of funded BOCES was increased in 2001, the
2003 General Assembly voted to discontinue all basic state
funding to BOCES, which was reinstated in 2005.
What can a BOCES do?
·
Maximize the impact of available dollars through collaborative
funding.
·
Reduce duplication of programs, personnel and services.
·
Assist members in meeting responsibilities for mandated
programs.
·
Contribute to equalizing educational opportunities for pupils in
diverse schools.
·
Provide for the services of highly skilled resource personnel on
a cost efficient basis.
·
Promote inter-district communication and idea sharing.
Successful BOCES Systems...
Associates
AESA
The Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) is a
professional organization serving educational service agencies
(ESAs) in 45 states; there are 553 agencies nationwide with over
180,000 employees. AESA is in the position to reach well
over 80% of the public school districts, over 83% of the private
schools, over 80% certified teachers, and more than 80%
non-certified school employees, and well over 80% public and
private school students. Annual budgets for ESAs come to
$14.7 billion. AESA’s membership is agency wide and
includes all ESA employees and board members.
AEPA
The Association of
Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA) is a group of
Educational Service Agencies/ political subdivisions organized
through a Memorandum of Understanding between all participating
member states for the purpose of establishing a universal bid
and awarded operating contract. The operating contract is based
on the combined purchasing volume of AEPA participating
agencies. All bids follow the competitive bidding requirements
including local solicitation. Of the many advantages to this
unique purchasing group are the combined human resources
representing purchasing/bidding expertise, current and past
vendor relationships, past experience and overall vision with
regard to the specific needs of the qualified customers within
each represented state. This group started with ten states in
2000 and now has grown to 22 states representing over 25 million
students.
Who are the BOCES and how many members are in each?
BACK
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