Please see an important message from Long Island BOCES’ three district superintendents to local superintendents and school board presidents. The letter addresses recent misinformation circulating on social media and in flyers regarding the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) regionalization initiative and invites school district leaders to participate in an upcoming virtual webinar. We hope the letter answers any questions you may have.
October 25, 2024
Dear Long Island Superintendents and School Board Presidents,
We write with important information concerning the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) Regionalization initiative. This communication is necessary in light of recent social media posts and flyers suggesting that the goal of the initiative is to cede control of Long Island’s schools to the BOCES. That is patently false and would require the adoption of legislation radically changing over one hundred years of law.
To be clear: this initiative is simply about fostering informed local decision making, partnerships, and support for individual districts – with the goal of ensuring that students have access to the educational opportunities they need for success in school and beyond.
The initiative will provide a platform for local education leaders to discuss and convey to NYSED the strategies and actions they will take to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students, and the resources they will need to achieve this goal. It will also create a direct line for individual and cooperating local districts to provide input as the State develops its legislative and budget priorities. Schools and districts may also use these planning conversations to identify and explore existing opportunities within the region.
We encourage you to review the detailed resources NYSED has made available on its regionalization website, including the Department’s September 9, 2024 presentation to the Board of Regents. These resources will help you provide your district residents with accurate, consistent information.
We also encourage you to register for an upcoming virtual webinar on this subject that will be hosted by the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association. The webinar is scheduled on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, 6-7:30 pm. You will have an opportunity to hear from SED officials and ask questions about what the Initiative means for you as an educational leader in your community.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and for helping to foster an environment of trust and collaboration. Together, we can elevate the needs of our students, foster local decision making, and continue to provide excellent opportunities for all learners across Long Island.
Sincerely,
Larry J. Leaven
District Superintendent
Nassau BOCES
April E. Poprilo
District Superintendent
Western Suffolk BOCES
Jasmin Varela, Ed.D.
District Superintendent
Eastern Suffolk BOCES
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