Date: 01/21/2015

Final
Presentation by Boards of Cooperative Education Services

COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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10:04 AM -- Presentation by Boards of Cooperative Education Services

Representative Buckner, and Senator Hill, Vice-Chair, welcomed Don Anderson, representing the Colorado Association of Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Mr. Anderson discussed the role of BOCES in Colorado's educational system. He discussed a brochure and presentation slides he distributed to the committee (Attachment B and Attachment C). He explained that BOCES are similar to school districts, that each BOCES has a board and is governed by the board. He told the committee that each member district elects one of its board members to sit on the BOCES board. He discussed the legislation that created BOCES in 1965 to allow streamlining of specialized services such as occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, and physical therapy, among others. He explained that rural districts that could not afford to provide services on their own joined together in BOCES to make sure students' needs are met. He told the committee that each BOCES meets regularly with the superintendents of its member districts. Mr. Anderson clarified that not all BOCES provide all services, that some are full service, while others specialize. He explained that there are 20 BOCES in Colorado and discussed the BOCES' coverage areas. He explained that BOCES serve 138 of 178 school districts in Colorado.

JtEd0121AttachB.pdfJtEd0121AttachB.pdf JtEd0121AttachC.pdfJtEd0121AttachC.pdf

Mr. Anderson responded to questions from the committee. The committee and the witness discussed funding, assessments, staffing requirements, and the Colorado Digital BOCES.


10:19 AM

Mr. Anderson continued his presentation, discussing East Central BOCES specifically. He explained it covers a geographic area of over 10,000 square miles, and that member districts vary in size from 12 to 1,050 students. Mr. Anderson discussed the challenges faced by the East Central BOCES, including recruitment and retention of quality staff, driving distances, mileage costs, and fuel costs. Mr. Anderson responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Anderson continued his presentation, discussing professional development, special service providers, alternative licensure programs, and high rates of staff turnover. He told the committee members about legislative priorities currently being formulated by BOCES and other rural education agencies. Mr. Anderson responded to questions from the committee. Mr. Anderson and the committee members discussed promoting BOCES as an alternative to consolidating school districts.


10:34 AM

Mr. Anderson continued to respond to questions from the committee.