Board members decide to protest BOCES’ capital expenses by a “No” vote, but also to offer advice

January 20, 2012
by Christine Yeres

In their January 10 meeting, board of education members voted “No” to send a no-confidence message to BOCES and its proposed $18 million capital improvement project, for which the CCSD, one of 18 member districts, would be billed a $1.5 million share. Members realize that their “No” vote may only result in BOCES returning to answer more questions, since the district is obliged to come up with the funds regardless.

Board members are still unhappy that the formula used to calculate its share of the $18 million makes use of property value and enrollment numbers yet ignores usage of the programs, which is low for CCSD. Their other concern is board members’ inability to judge whether BOCES’ plan is fiscally sound. “They haven’t presented a long term plan to us,” said board member Karen Visser. “How do we know that in ten years we won’t be asked again?” In addition, although the district’s own debt is exempt from the tax cap, board members think it unfair and nonsensical that the debt they incur for the BOCES improvements is not.

Board members made a point of proposing to meet with BOCES to provide input along with their “No” vote.

“We do value the shared services that BOCES provides,” said board member Vicky Tipp, “but we have a high level of obligation to our taxpayers and students, so a ‘No’ vote doesn’t mean ‘No’ to contributing to capital improvement, but we have to do our due diligence.”

In the end, said board member Randy Katchis, “we’ll probably end in a ‘Yes’ vote, but my ‘No’ will be to start getting representation within that organization and get a process in place.”

Board members did not specify what advice they would give BOCES, but in previous discussions Katchis has noted that it might be wise for BOCES to sell its current multiple-buildings campus and buy or lease other space—preferably a single building—that would cost less to maintain. He also suggested that rather than spend $3 million to upgrade an existing therapeutic pool, BOCES consider constructing a pool that would be of use to its member districts’ swimming programs (for which many pay for use of outside pools).