Changes undertaken by the ONC BOCES to deal with declining enrollments and tight budgets appear to be going well, District Superintendent Nicholas Savin said.
There has been a decline of more than 2,000 students in the 19 component districts of the Otsego Northern Catskills Board of Cooperative Educational Services in the past decade, to fewer than 9,400. Because of declining numbers, it will not offer an alternative education program for students not able to succeed in the classroom setting. It's also reducing its offerings in three career and technical education programs, while adding a visions engineering program. The administrative office move from Stamford to the two occupational centers will also be completed this summer.
Announcing the end of the alternative education program at the end of last school year gave those affected an opportunity to look for other employment as early as possible, Savin said. The districts that were sending students have been able to accommodate them in their facilities.
He has satisfied with the enrollment in the engineering program that is designed to give hands on experience. Although there are about six signed up, more are expected as the school year approaches. In addition, the CTE programs that are being reduced to half-time, agriculture,      criminal justice and health occupations, only had about that many, he said.
One of the districts affected by the changes is Worcester Central School. Superintendent Gary Kuch agreed with that the changes are going well. He credited Principal William Diamond for designing a program that will not only meet the need of the three students the school was sending to alternative education.
It required creative programming and juggling of existing resources, but the district will save at least the $42,000 it was paying for the BOCES service.
It can also afford to teach as many as 12 at the school within a school, with the goal of keeping students from dropping out, and allowing them to obtain Regents diplomas.
The school did not send anyone to the three CTE programs cut. But the new offering has at least two students interested in getting involved, he said.
Local News
ONC BOCES head says enrollment has declined sharply
- Local News
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Memorial Day hits home for local hamlet
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BURLINGTON FLATS -- As memories of past wars become more distant, the significance of Memorial Day has faded for many people. For them, the holiday has become a sort of welcoming party for the oncoming summer season, a time to have a picnic or go to the lake.
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On the Bright Side: Area girl becomes fourth sister named Dairy Princess
A family tradition continued Friday with the crowning of the Delaware County Dairy Princess.
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Police: Student made gun threat in Walton
Two adults were arrested Wednesday following an investigation of a student threat about an upcoming incident at Walton Central School, Walton police said. There was never any immediate danger at the school, Superintendent Thomas Austin aid.
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SPCA's costs for seized dogs grow
COOPERSTOWN -- The Susquehanna SPCA has racked up more than $80,000 in expenses from caring for the dozens of dogs seized last winter from a Worcester dog dealer, according to the head of the local humane agency.
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Two Oneonta women busted after traffic stop
Two Oneonta women were arrested May 17, one on possession of crack cocaine, following a traffic stop on I-88 in Worcester.
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Man arrested after 2-month drug investigation
A Bronx man was arrested Thursday following a two-month investigation by Otsego deputies and Oneonta police.
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C'town All-Star Village to open this summer
A court ruling issued Friday means that an Oneonta baseball camp can focus on having a successful season, Cooperstown All-Star Village President Martin Patton said.
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Memorial Day hours
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Saying goodbye hurts most when the experience has been worthwhile
This is my last Reporter's Notebook column for The Daily Star.
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Memorial Day events: Chenango County
Memorial Day events for Chenango County
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Memorial Day events: Delaware County
Memorial Day events for Delaware County
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Memorial Day events: Otsego County
Memorial Day events for Otsego County
- Friday, May 25, 2012
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2 retired Salvation Army majors honored with Oneonta luncheon
Two recently retired Salvation Army majors were feted with a luncheon Thursday.
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Study: Area unemployment holds steady
The number of private sector jobs in New York is at an all-time high, according to the state Labor Department, which also recently reported steady unemployment at 8.1 percent statewide in April.
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Truck overturns on I-88
A tractor-trailer carrying watermelons overturned on Interstate 88 on Thursday morning, resulting in a closure of the highway in the city of Oneonta.
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Two school districts look for ways to pass budgets
Two area schools with budgets defeated in May 15 voting are at different stages in their plans to bring the issue back to voters June 19.
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Hartwick students to be honored this weekend
Hartwick College will celebrate its 81st commencement at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
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DEP opens additional reservoir space for boating
DEP officials participated in ceremonies this week at the Neversink, Pepacton and Schoharie reservoirs to mark the addition of more than 12,500 acres of recreational boating space in those reservoirs.
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Stamford man sentenced on sexual abuse charges
A Stamford man pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse in Delaware County Court on Monday. Damien Falconio, 28, was sentenced to five years in prison on each count, to be served concurrently, and eight years’ post-release supervision.
- Thursday, May 24, 2012
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3 local museums to offer free admission to military
Three local institutions are participating in Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and museums nationwide that offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
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