Vision 2027: Future Focused Facilities Project
WSWHE BOCES provides programs and services to school districts throughout the region which save local school districts funds. This project develops new, cutting edge, energy-efficient WSWHE BOCES facilities, ensuring the organization can continue delivering programs and services in a cost-effective manner for future generations of students.
Enrollment in our Exceptional Learners Division (ELD) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs continues to increase.
The National Center for Education Statistics found about 15 percent of all public school students received special education services in the 2022-23 school year. Among children ages six and older, special education enrollment continues to rise, impacting local school districts, which have engaged WSWHE BOCES for additional services and space.
One of the key components of the facilities project includes CTE. 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 CTE courses.
WSWHE BOCES has been proactive in attempting to meet the need and demand for CTE classes and providing real-world experiences and skills that translate into a job right out of high school or making a student more qualified with the essential skills, knowledge, and attributes needed for success in college and career. New learning spaces will increase WSWHE BOCES ability to provide CTE to more students in a cutting edge, world-class, purpose-built facility.
This future focused facilities project will play an important role in enhancing our programs, supporting the education of our students and contributing to workforce development for the region.
COST: $96 million (estimated)*
ANTICIPATED TIMELINE: Construction will begin in Fall 2025 (pending NYSED approval) and will be substantially complete by June 2027. We expect to welcome students to the new facility in Fall 2027.
Key project attributes
- 20 year lease for new construction
- 3 buildings on a 25 acre site (ELD K-6, ELD 7-12, CTE)
- Total square footage: approximately 290,000
- All instructional programs on one campus
- Located within 1/2 mile of I-87, exit 16
- Enhanced educational settings
- Cutting edge labs/shops
- Design features to bring ELD classrooms close to counselors and service providers
- High-priority security features
- Safe learning environments
