In a decisive vote, residents of Rockland County have given their approval for the Rockland BOCES 2024 Capital Project, paving the way for significant advancements in educational infrastructure and programming.
With an overwhelming majority, voters endorsed the construction of a new 52,000 square foot, two-story building in West Nyack. This facility will cater to the expansion of Rockland BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) and STEM programs, addressing the growing demand for these specialized educational tracks. Additionally, the project will provide much-needed classroom space at the Jesse J. Kaplan School for students with exceptional needs.
The referendum, which saw 1,005 “yes” votes to 348 “no” votes, represents a significant endorsement from the community for enhancing educational opportunities within Rockland County.
Key attributes of the project include:
- Addition of four large classrooms at the Jesse J. Kaplan School
- Establishment of commercial and standard kitchens for the CTEC Culinary Arts program
- Creation of specialized Culinary Arts classrooms
- Development of 15 STEM classrooms to support the continued growth of the Hudson Valley P-TECH program
- Construction of a cafeteria, gymnasium, and fitness area
The $47.9 million project cost, spread over a 25-year period, will be shared among the eight component districts within the Rockland BOCES Supervisory District. The financial burden for each district will be determined based on Resident Weighted Average Daily Attendance (RWADA), ensuring a fair distribution of costs.
Pending approval from the New York State Education Department, construction is slated to commence in Spring 2026, with completion expected in phases by Fall 2027. Throughout the construction process, diligent efforts will be made to minimize disruptions to students, staff, and local residents.
The successful passage of this capital project underscores the community’s commitment to providing high-quality education and modern facilities for students across Rockland County and neighboring regions.