Enrollment in our Student Services (special education), Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Early College High School (P-TECH) programs continues to soar.
At the Jesse J. Kaplan School, the proposal includes the addition of four new classrooms to meet the growing demand from local school districts. Kaplan offers a stimulating learning environment for students ages 5 to 22 with autism, cognitive disabilities, medical fragility and/or multiple disabilities. The National Center for Education Statistics found about 15 percent of all public school students received special education services in the 2020-21 school year. Among children ages six and older, special education enrollment rose by 2.4 percent compared with the previous school year. The figures for 2022-23 continued to rise - impacting local school districts, which have engaged Rockland BOCES for additional services and space.
One of the key components of the capital project includes Career and Technical Education. The demand for CTE programs is high and continues to grow. Students, along with parents, recognize the value of career and technical education courses. With the changes in our local economy, more students are looking ahead to their future and realize they want and need career and technical education courses. This new building will provide more than 7,000 square feet for commercial kitchen space, plus two industry-equipped classrooms for our growing Culinary Arts program.
Our Hudson Valley P-TECH has grown from an enrollment of 43 students in 2016 to 160 in 2023. Housed in the former Tappan Zee Elementary School since its launch, P-TECH has outgrown the current facility. The construction of 15 STEM-focused classrooms will allow program growth via learning space expansion and enhancement, providing students with the specialized facilities they need to succeed.
Rockland BOCES has been aggressive in attempting to meet the need and demand for CTE and STEM classes and providing real-world experiences and skills that translate into a job right out of high school or making a student more qualified on his or her college application. The new learning space will increase our agency's ability to provide CTE and STEM programs to more students in a cutting edge, world-class, purpose-built facility.
The borrowing proposed in the referendum addresses our highest-need, student-facing capital project and plays an important role in enhancing our programs, expanding facilities and supporting the education of our students.
Key project attributes:
- The addition of four, large classrooms in the Jesse J. Kaplan School following relocation of the existing Culinary Arts facility
- One commercial and one standard kitchen for the Culinary Arts program
- Two specialized Culinary Arts classrooms
- 15 STEM classrooms (11,300 square feet) for continued growth of Hudson Valley P-TECH
- Cafeteria: approximately 5,000 square feet with storage area for tables and chairs
- Regulation-size gymnasium/basketball court and fitness area
- New locker area for 72 Culinary Arts students
- Security vestibule including “mantrap” security entrance
- Administrative wing: administrative offices, guidance, staff offices, conference room, reception area, staff lounge
- Natural light for all learning and office spaces
Rockland BOCES must continue to provide our students with the best facilities and support services they need to lead successful, productive and healthy lives. The program needs and building usage have changed over the years, and our facilities must be expanded to allow our programs to continue to grow and meet high standards.