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As a corporate body created under the Education Law of New York State, the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Board of Education has full authority, within the limitations of federal and state laws and the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education and interpretations of them, to carry out its power and duties in matters of education.

In all cases where laws or regulations of the State Commissioner of Education do not provide, permit, or prohibit, the Board shall consider itself the agent responsible for establishing and appraising educational matters and activities.

All authority rests with the Board as a whole and not with any individual member or any group of members in any committee. Committee members may act on an individual basis only when specifically delegated with the authority by the Board. All final policy decisions are placed in the hands of the BOCES Board of Education.

Education Law Section 1950

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By-Laws

WFL/EB

The Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Board of Cooperative Educational Services shall consist of nine (9) members elected to represent the component districts within the BOCES area.

Members of the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Board of Education shall serve on the Board for a term of three (3) years, commencing July 1 following election.

Education Law Section 1950(2)

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Any eligible voter who resides within the boundaries of a component school district may be elected to the Board of Cooperative Educational Services. A candidate need not be a member of a board of education of the district. A candidate must be eligible to hold office in a component district. Employees of any of the BOCES component school districts, or employees of Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES, are ineligible for election to the Board of Cooperative Educational Services.

No more than one Board member may reside in a given component district unless otherwise permitted in accordance with law. No more than one member of a family shall be a member of the Board.

Educational Law Sections 1950(2-a) and 2103

The component boards shall be notified by February 1st of each year of vacancies on the Board to be filled at the Annual Election.

Nominations will occur by resolution of the board of education of one or more component school districts and shall be transmitted in writing to the Clerk of the BOCES at least thirty (30) days prior to the date designated by the President of the Wayne-Finger Lakes Board of Cooperative Educational Services for the election.

Election of the Cooperative Board members will occur on a date selected by the President of the Cooperative Board that is on or after April sixteenth and on or before April thirtieth. No component district may have more than one member on the Cooperative Board. It shall be the duty of the BOCES to encourage candidates from components not currently represented on the Board. The ballot will be prepared by the Clerk of the BOCES and mailed to each component district no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the date designated as the day of the election by the President of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services.

Each component district is entitled to cast one vote for each vacant Board position. A component board may not cast more than one vote for any individual candidate.

The candidates receiving a plurality of the votes cast are elected. Any tie vote will be broken by a runoff to be held within twenty (20) days of the initial vote.

Board members are elected for terms as indicated in Policy #1120 -- Number of Members and Term of Office.

Education Law Section 1950(2-a)

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Should a vacancy in the membership of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services occur (as, for example, through the death, resignation, or removal from office of a member, or under such other circumstances in which the office would otherwise be deemed vacant under applicable law), the following procedures shall be followed to fill the vacancy:

A member of the BOCES who refuses or neglects to attend three successive meetings of the BOCES of which he/she is duly notified, without rendering a good and valid excuse therefore to the other members of the BOCES, vacates his/her office by refusal to serve.

A member who resigns shall file a resignation with the District Superintendent of Schools who shall file same with the Clerk of the Board.

A Board member or officer may be removed from office by the Commissioner of Education and/or under specific conditions as enumerated in law or regulation.

Education Law Section 1950(2-a)(f)

Public Officers Law Section 30