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[PIC] Large Tree In A Field Catching Summer Sunlight

Dutchess BOCES Extended School Year Program for students with disabilities will be fully remote this summer, as the agency was unable to secure an alternate location.

Planning began in January since the scheduled construction and asbestos abatement at Salt Point Center would not be appropriate for students.  Component districts were asked if there was space to rent for this program, but no district had availability.

After the agency reluctantly announced ESY would be remote, members of the broader Dutchess County community got involved to try to help Dutchess BOCES to hold in-person ESY.  Ultimately, space was found at Dutchess Community College, however just last week it was learned that the space did not meet fire code regulations for K-12 classrooms.  Specifically, classrooms must have two means of egress and the classrooms do not because that standard is applicable for Community Colleges.

After confirming with the State Education Department that a waiver was not possible, the program will now be fully remote.  In addition, like other summer programs, it is a struggle to find sufficient staffing. 

Although a fully remote program is not what Dutchess BOCES prefers, we are confident that our ESY program will provide students with appropriate summer instruction and enriching experiences.