Issues & Initiatives
NYSED Regionalization Plan
Key Facts & Why We Must Act
Emergency Regulation posted in the NYS Register September 25, 2024
NYSED Emergency regulations constitute immediate effect (see Timeline)
Rationale from NYSED: "The Department recognizes the need for a strategic approach to addressing educational disparities, fiscal constraints, and operational inefficiencies across school districts in New York State. Regionalization can help solve these challenges, creating equitable educational opportunities through partnerships among school districts, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), and other stakeholders."
Violates the NYS Constitution and Edlaw that gives BOE fiduciary power and authority over their district taxpayers' dollars and who is educated with those monies.
Requires ALL school districts to submit ALL data to BOCES and they will meet and develop ONE Regionalization Plan to share services which include staff, programs, etc. for all component districts within a BOCES
School districts cannot opt out EXCEPT for the BIG 5 Districts
Gives BOCES Superintendent supervisory authority and enforcement of school district implementation of the plan
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NYSED claims it’s “just a conversation” about regionalization and shared services.
NYS Register Language:
Mandates and deadlines begin November 1, 2024, leading to full implementation by 2026-27.
Rule becomes permanent in January 2025 unless opposed.
Why It’s a Problem:
Removes duly elected Board of Education responsibilities without law
No stakeholder input was sought
Emergency rules are used to avoid proper public discussion.
Districts mandated to share staff and services will result in logistical, fiduciary and operational loss of local control
BOCES superintendent and infrastructure is not built to handle these supervisory roles or district implementation plans.
Set the stage for regional or county-wide schools, erasing the distinct identity of districts.
Exempting the Big 5 districts is an arbitrary and capricious act on the part of NYSED.
There is no emergency and current systems already work
Districts already share services voluntarily, making this rule unnecessary.
New Proposed Rule related to BOCES Superintendent published October 23, 2024
(Part 2 of the Emergency Regionalization Rule)
BOCES District Superintendent's New Powers
Charged with ensuring district’s implement the REGIONALIZATION PLAN by conducting site visits or reviewing data metrics
Can investigate any issues in your district when the state asks
Will have more authority over your local district
Acts as the commissioner’s representative
Chain of Command Changes
District Superintendent answers to both:
Your local BOCES board
The State Education Commissioner
How This Affects Your District
Less local control over education decisions
State can use the District Superintendent to:
Push for district mergers or reorganization
Investigate your district operations
Implement state plans in your schools
Bottom Line for Local School Boards:
Your BOCES District Superintendent will have more power to make changes in your district
Local school boards may have less say in important decisions affecting their districts
The state will have a stronger presence in local school decisions through the BOCES District
Call to Action:
Superintendents
COSBM encourages you to write a letter during the 60 Day comment period opposing this new rule
All other Stakeholders
Submit Opposition Letters (click here for a sample):
Email David Frank at REGCOMMENTS@nysed.gov to slow down the process and include stakeholders.
Raise Awareness (click here for samples):
Inform your board members, staff, and community to preserve local control and oppose this rushed process.
This rule threatens local control of schools and pushes for regionalization without stakeholder input.
Act now to ensure schools remain community-based.
Sources:
NYS Register:
October 23, 2024 (https://dos.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/10/102324.pdf)