BOCES takes big hit; public schools to follow?

The Saratoga Adirondack chapter of BOCES — which provides a wide array of services to public schools, from voc ed to support services for special needs kids — cut a bunch of jobs yesterday.

The Glens Falls Post Star is reporting that 21 BOCES jobs will be cut outright; another 14 will be slashed through attrition; 4 more will become part-time.

BOCES has faced challenges across the North Country for years, as schools search for economies.

As the Federal stimulus money’s influence wanes, BOCES and school districts are likely to face more cuts.

In communities where public education is the biggest employers — and where property taxes are sky-high — it’s hard to see this ending well.