Our consortium began with 3 districts
in 1985 and increased to 5, then 9, then 15 within a few years.
In 1994, we spun off 3 of our districts into Teacher Centers
of their own. Today, we have 12 districts active in Nassau Tract.
These districts are: BOCES, Carle Place, East Rockaway, Garden
City, Hewlett-Woodmere, Locust Valley, Mineola,New Hyde Park-Garden City Park, Oyster Bay-East
Norwich, Plainview-Old Bethpage, Sewanhaka, West Hempstead. We
serve more than 5,000 teachers and through them multitudes of students,
parents and administrators in Nassau County
WHAT WE DO....
Our fundamental role is to support
the work of the classroom and school professional. A needs assessment
of teachers/educators is conducted in order to present programs
and services they would value. The Policy Board reviews, analyzes
and prioritizes the data and develops a plan. The Directors implement
the plans by coordinating the following services:
Technology
Computer Training
Equipment Demonstrations
Telecommunications
Video Conferencing
Staff Development
Course/Workshops
Fairs/Expositions
Conferences
Mini-Grants
Materials
Research
Educational Equipment-Resources
Road Shows
Demonstrations
Onsite Equipment
Hands-on Use
Loan Program
Software/Hardware
Computers
Digital Cameras
Educational Materials
Special Events
Reading Program
New Teacher Orientation
Collegial Studies
Parent University
OPERATION OF NASSAU
TRACT....
We are operated by the Policy
Board headed by a Chairperson elected by that Board. The Board
must follow the dictates of the Education Law 316 and the Centers
By-Laws.
The Education. Law 316 (paragraph 7) "Policy Board has the
following powers and duties: policy formulation, employment of
staff/consultants, budget control and expenditure of funds to
accomplish the purpose of this section, recommendations for subcontracting
to secure technical and other kinds of assistance and other appropriate
managerial or supervisory activities not otherwise prohibited
by State or local law or regulation by the Commissioner."
FUNDING....
Teacher Centers are supported
by the following:
New York State Education Grant. The Local Education
Agency (Garden City Union Free School District) is the legal recipient of the grant
funds, however, according to law, the Policy Board manages and
allocates those funds. In-Kind Services from districts and BOCES
Teachers/Educators are sometimes charged nominal fees for participation
in workshops, Courses, and other activities.
Equipment, software, and personnel are sometimes donated by business
and other groups. Partnerships with Universities, teacher
unions, professional organizations, and SETRC share- in our expenditures.