At present, BOCES Aid is provided as a reimbursement to participating districts for up to $30,000 per position. This reimbursement level was set in 1990, taking effect in 1992, when the median teacher salary for New York State was just over $43,000. At that time, $30,000 represented about 70% of the median teacher’s salary. Now, $30,000 represents only about 35% of the average teacher’s salary. Adjusted for inflation, that $30,000 cap would equal over $67,000 in today’s dollars. This length of time – which is now longer than two generations of learners moving through the school system – without a raise in the cap has effectively increased the costs absorbed by districts every single year.

To this end, ECB strongly supports S. 528 Mayer / A. 3430 Conrad and urges its enactment. This bill would increase the cap on BOCES salary aid to $60,000 over three years. This level would bring the cap just under the 30-year rate of inflation, which would simply restore purchasing power. This increase would be phased in at $10,000 intervals over three school years, being fully phased in for the 2028-29 school year. In addition, the bill would proportionately increase Special Services Aid for non-component districts by raising the per-pupil reimbursement rate from $3,900 to $4,100. Additionally, the bill would expand the pupil count for special services aid purposes to include 9th graders, allowing the overall basis on which aid is allotted to be more reflective of actual student need.

School district and BOCES CTE programs have proven highly effective in helping provide students with the essential skills they require to successfully transition to college and career. The growth in popularity of such programs reflects their success. It is well past time for the state to agree to increase the aidable cap on BOCES salaries for career and technical education instructors and to provide a proportionate increase in special services aid. Such programs grow student interest and provide a direct path to successful employment for thousands of students.

For all of these reasons, we strongly urge the Legislature and Governor to increase the cap on BOCES CTE salary and special services aid. 

Read our full memo here: