NYS Regionalization Plan

[Lauren Themis]

Hello members. The Locust Valley School District has taken a strong position against the NY State Emergency Regulation on Regionalization Plan. I would be happy to share our kettter in opposition and discuss with any other boards considering taking action. This will upend our entire educational system as we know it as well as goes against the NY State Constitution. In addition NY State Dept of Ed has granted additional powers to the BOCES district superintendents over our individual districts. Long Island is uniting to oppose these measures. What's going on throughout the rest of the state. 

[Kerry Wachter]

Yes https://dos.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/10/102324.pdf
It's on page 5 - proposed rule making
Boces is given authority to implement the regionalization plan. Check under "needs and benefits" that explains why they are doing this. I highly recommend you sign up to get the register delivered to your email when it's published - that's how I caught this regionalization plan. They can say whatever they want about the plan but what is written in the register is what becomes binding. The authority for site visits is in the emergency reg published on 9/25/24.

[Artie Frego]

Kerry, do you have a link to the regulation that was published today?

[Kerry Wachter]

Arte I don't think he even read the rule. I told him Boces superintendents will have authority over the implementation and by conducting site visits and data review - he said "no they won't", I said it's in the rule - then amend the rule! No reason to mandate a conversation and to solicit feedback. When this is paired with the regulation published today regarding the granting powers to the Boces supers over districts - we have to be skeptical.

[Artie Frego]

That is interesting Paul, I found it odd that he just glossed over the whole plan at the dinner the other night. What he says is not reflected in the documents anywhere.

[Paul Haggett]

I was told by Regent Catania that districts who do not want to take part in Regionalization once the process is complete, will NOT be mandated to do so. He indicated that local supers are required to go through the process, but boards would have the ability to opt out. First time I had heard that one.

[Lauren Themis]

Here’s some good information to share with your boards
https://www.coalitionofschoolboardmembers.org/regionalization-plan

[Lauren Themis]

Good question Artie! We just got back from the NYSSBA convention and not a single presentation was dedicated to understanding Regionalization. Any questions asked were all answered in the, wait and see, and it’s a great thing, response. NYSSBA has not taken a position and I don’t see anyone other than BOE members taking a stand. At least until after November 5th. What they did say is that under Emergency Rule this gets through in time for the budget season.

[Artie Frego]

Good Morning and Good Work! Has NYSSBA taken a position on this yet? If not, do we anticipate that they will? The way the state is rolling this out (Emergency Rule) without any real local input, makes me think that anything in any plan a region develops and is forced to implement without our (BOE) input/vote, will end up in court at some point.

[Tracy Young]

This is an absolute overreach by NYSED. What is the emergency?

[Joseph Beyrouty]

There are a lot of reasons to be concerned with this proposal. A HUGE red flag is to rush things as an "emergency" when it's clear that it's not and automatically makes me suspicious of motives.