Western Suffolk Boces

The Board of Cooperative Educational Services provides educational programs and opportunities to meet distinct needs within 18 local school districts. One of three BOCES on Long Island, Western Suffolk BOCES provides 70 services to two or more districts more economically and efficiently than one district alone can provide. Western Suffolk BOCES helps school-age children and adults gain the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the workplace.

Western Suffolk BOCES has an elected Board of seven representatives from the 210 square mile area that makes up the western Suffolk County towns of Babylon, Huntington and Smithtown. Board members are elected for three-year terms and are responsible for policy governing Western Suffolk BOCES.

The Boards of Cooperative Educational Services were created in 1948 by the New York State Legislature. Today 37 BOCES in New York serve 721 school districts.

Programs are offered through these main divisions:

• Special Education
• Career & Technical Education
• Instructional Support Services

Other Services:

BOCES also offers many administrative and management services to help school districts meet the needs of their students, staff and communities. BOCES can provide these services more economically and efficiently than one district alone can provide.

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Mission Statement

Western Suffolk BOCES, a regional educational service agency, will provide quality, efficient, shared programs and services to school districts, their students, parents and communities. Our mission is to expand educational opportunities and alternatives enabling learners to achieve their potential.

Mission Statement for Adult Education

Western Suffolk BOCES provides career training and literacy programs to help adults meet their career goals by developing skills essential for gainful employment, job advancement and new career opportunities.

Non-Discrimination Notice

The Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Western Suffolk County, New York does not discriminate or permit discrimination in admission or access to its educational programs or activities or in recruitment or employment on the basis of an individual’s race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, disability, age, sex or gender (including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and parental status) and BOCES is prohibited by law, including by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) and 34 C.F.R. Part 106, from doing so. BOCES provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Those intending to file a grievance with BOCES due to alleged discrimination must follow the procedure in the relevant Board policy, which are available at: https://www.wsboces.org/policies. Inquiries concerning BOCES’ non-discrimination policies, including Title IX inquiries, may be directed to: BOCES’ Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator, Dr. Hugh Gigante, who may be contacted at 507 Deer Park Rd., PO Box 8007, Huntington Station, NY 11746-9007; or (631)-549-4900, ext. 204; or by email at hgigante@wsboces.org. Inquiries may also be directed to: U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (New York Office), 32 Old Slip, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005-2500; or by phone 646-428-3900; or by fax 646-428-3843; or TDD 800-877-8339; or by email OCR.NewYork@ed.gov; or file form at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html.

Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct for students in grades K-12, including students in Special Education through age 21 and secondary students at Wilson Tech.

Code of Conduct for Adult Program Students

Student Records

Requests for records for current or former Western Suffolk BOCES students can be made by completing and submitting the Request and Consent for Review/Release of Records by Parent or Student.

Freedom of Information (FOIL) Requests

Under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), individuals may request existing public records from the public agencies responsible for maintaining those records. Western Suffolk BOCES has a designated Records Access Officer who is responsible for accepting and responding to FOIL requests.

To make a request for existing public records, please complete the FOIL request form. You may click the “submit” button at the bottom of the form or you may print the form, complete and mail it to:
FOIL Request
Western Suffolk BOCES
P. O. Box 8007
Huntington Station NY 11746-9007

When you submit this form, FOIL allows Western Suffolk BOCES five business days to make the record(s) available, deny access to the record(s), or acknowledge receipt of your request and inform you of the timeframe required to respond to your request.

Choose how to receive records

According to FOIL, public agencies are required to provide copies of records in the format and on the medium desired by the person filing the request if the agency can reasonably do so. Western Suffolk BOCES provides records electronically, where possible, or as photocopies delivered by U.S. mail. Please indicate your preference on the request form.

If you would like to inspect the records in person, submit the completed FOIL request form. The BOCES Records Access Officer will notify you if such records are available and provide information about scheduling an appointment to inspect such records. Appointments are generally scheduled between 9 am and 2 pm Monday – Friday at the Central Administrative Office, 507 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills, NY 11746.

The agency will provide an estimate of all fees prior to a request being processed. All checks should be made out to Western Suffolk BOCES and mailed to:
Nancy Fischetti
Records Access Officer
Western Suffolk BOCES
P. O. Box 8007
Huntington Station NY 11746-9007

You may email the Records Officer at nfischet@wsboces.org. Visit the New York State Committee on Open Government website for answers to frequently asked questions about FOIL.

Parents Bill of Rights

Western Suffolk BOCES is committed to protecting the privacy and security of student, teacher, and principal data and has adopted a Parents Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security (Policy 6422).

No Child Left Behind

Under No Child Left Behind federal legislation, you may request information regarding the qualifications of your child’s teacher(s). This information includes the New York State license the teacher holds, as well as the degree, major, and field of discipline of the teacher’s certification or degree.

If you would like this information regarding your child’s teacher(s), please submit your written request to: Dr. Hugh M. Gigante, Executive Director of Personnel, 507 Deer Park Rd, PO Box 8007, Huntington Station, NY 11746-9007.

Western Suffolk BOCES Annual Fire Inspection Notice

In accordance with Education Law, Section 807-a 5 (b) and (c), notice is hereby given that the annual inspection for 2024-2025 school year of the Wilson Tech Northport, Wilson Tech Manor Plains, Wilson Tech Dix Hills, Wilson Tech Aerospace, James E. Allen Melville, James E. Allen Dix Hills and James E. Allen Alternative schools of Western Suffolk BOCES for fire hazards which might endanger the lives of students, teachers, employees therein, has been completed and the report thereof is available at the office of Maintenance and Operations at 762 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills NY 11746 for inspection by all interested persons.

Reporting Child Abuse

If you suspect child abuse or maltreatment, contact the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. You can report child abuse and neglect by phone at 1-800-342-3720. If deaf or hard of hearing, report by TDD/TTY at 1-800-638-5163 or video relay system at 1-800-342-3720. For more information, visit the NYS Office of Children and Family Services website.

Pesticide/AHERA Notification

Section 409H of the NYS Education Law requires Western Suffolk BOCES to advise you of the following:
Pesticide products may be used periodically throughout the school year. BOCES is required to maintain a list of parents, guardians and staff who wish to receive written notice (48 hours in advance) that BOCES plans to apply pesticide within a 72-hour period preceding a school day. For further information or to place your name on the above-mentioned list, please send a letter including your name, address and the specific school for which you are requesting notification to: Nancy Fischetti, Public Relations Director, PO Box 8007, Huntington Station, NY 11746-9007.

The BOCES must also provide notification for each application which required prior notification and each emergency application at four specific times each year.

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