Annual Meeting spotlights SWBOCES Budget, Board of Education election

Culinary Arts students show off their skills for attendees

The Southern Westchester BOCES' 2024 Annual Meeting provided the opportunity to learn about the 2024-25 budget as well as to hear about the Board of Education election.

The event  was held on the campus of the Center for Career Services in Valhalla and featured an impressive dinner prepared and served by Career and Technical Education students in the campus's Culinary Arts program.

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Administrative Services Steve Tibbetts presented the proposed 2024-2025 SWBOCES Budget to the public. It includes a $13.2 million administrative budget. Programs and services purchased by districts account for most of the overall budget. Component district school boards are asked to vote on the BOCES administrative budget on April 16. 

The total proposed administrative budget represents a 3.12% increase. That includes a 1.58% increase in post-employment health benefits to a projected 595 retirees and a 5.61% increase in day-to-day expenses. The capital budget of $2.94 million reflects a proposed 1.38% increase.

Full detail can be found in the 2024-2025 Budget Book, which is posted on the SWBOCES website.

Prior to the budget presentation, District Superintendent Harold Coles welcomed attendees, including invited representatives of component districts. Dr. Coles  extended an open invitation for district officials to tour the CTE campus during school hours and to see their own students who participate in programs there. 

Meanwhile, attendees heard from Board of Education president John Filiberti of Eastchester, who is seeking a new three-year term. Mr. Filiberti applauded all who serve on school boards for the important work they do and said his own experience has been rewarding.

BOCES Board of Education members are elected by the school boards of their respective component region; that vote also takes place on April 16.