Education secretary among those at BOCES’ iPark groundbreaking

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona was among those attending the groundbreaking at iPark 87 in Kingston for a new 105,000 square foot Career & Technical Center that will be the new home for Ulster BOCES workforce training programs. New York State Commissioner of Education Betty Rosa, Rep. Pat Ryan, and Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger also were among the more than 100 government and community leaders who took part in the event.

The new facility is being created in a collaboration involving Ulster BOCES, Ulster County, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Ulster and community-based partners.

“Moving Ulster BOCES programs represents a collective commitment to redefining the relationship between education and economic development by centering the work around the future workforce of Ulster County, the students,” said Ulster BOCES District Superintendent Jonah Schenker. “This groundbreaking brings us one step closer to actualizing our vision of equity, access, and belonging for all.”

Cardona said, “For far too long in this country, we have normalized a narrow pathway to opportunity. In this country, we have had a ‘four-year college or bust’ mentality that has really not served our students well. Here at Ulster BOCES, you have been breaking out of that mentality long before you have broken ground here today.”

Ryan said, “Today, we’re sending a message that the workforce of the future starts right here in the Hudson Valley. I want to thank everyone whose tireless efforts made it all possible. My grandfather worked at this site for 36 years when it was an engine of economic growth and good paying jobs for Hudson Valley families. Now, for the first time in my lifetime, I can envision my two young boys and the entire next generation having that same opportunity.”

Metzger said the BOCES move to iPark fits in with a larger picture of progress being made in Ulster.

“We’re shaking things up in Ulster County because we need to forge new models for education and workforce development that meet the needs of the moment we’re in. The relocation of Ulster BOCES Career Pathways Academy to iPark 87 is going to unlock unprecedented educational and job opportunities for its graduates,” Metzger said. “Together with Ulster BOCES, we are creating a hub of workforce development for every age and a runway into meaningful family-sustaining jobs for our people.”

Schenker said that the current BOCES Port Ewen site will become a middle school and high school campus to serve the growing special education student population.