WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Erie 1 BOCES wants to build a new centralized school to meet the growing needs of special education students across the region.
"There's been, in the last 10 years, as we looked at our 19 school districts, a 14% increase in students classified with special needs," explained Dr. Michael Capuana, Superintendent of Erie 1 BOCES. "We're very excited about the opportunity to bring this idea to reality."
Sometimes these students aren't getting enough support because of the high number seeking special education in a school classroom.
"I could tell she misses being in a classroom setting," said parent Jessica Binkowski.
"And she really needs to be in school," added grandfather Paul Binkowski.
In September, I introduced you to Samantha Binkowski of West Seneca. She has autism.
Binkowski's family tells me she remains on a waitlist to be placed in a special needs program in the West Seneca School District but desperately needs a classroom setting.
The leader of Erie 1 BOCES tells me the organization is responding to a big increase from 19 school districts when it comes to helping students with special needs.
"With this new campus space that we're in the process of designing and developing, we anticipate being able to serve those 325 students, plus an additional 180 to 200 K-12 students from across Western New York," said Capuana.
"And what BOCES is doing is recognizing the fact that we need a little bit more help and providing placements for kids," replied Michael Cornell, superintendent of Hamburg Central School District.
Hamburg Superintendent Cornell tells me he supports the creation of a centralized school because the volume of students classified in his district has spiked.
"So as a percentage of our student population, it's probably 50 or 60% higher today than it was 10 years ago," said Cornell. "I think it's something that families and children are going to benefit from."
BOCES isn't revealing the actual site for the building or the projected costs currently, but it's scheduled to begin construction sometime next year.
"Our plan is to, in the coming weeks, be able to announce formally the partnership and the location of the campus. Again, we're focusing on a centralized location that will provide access and efficiencies for the 19 school districts across Erie 1," said Capuana. "We're hoping to open the campus as soon as September of 2026."
