NY A00053

Expands cooperative educational services (COSERS) to include both aidable and nonaidable services, requiring the commissioner to establish regulatory criteria for approval including cost savings, resource efficiency, community need, and student academic/workforce opportunities.

Authorizes boards of cooperative educational services to enter into contracts with charter schools to provide services as outlined in the education law.

Increases the maximum lease term for land, classrooms, offices, or buildings from ten to twenty years, with renewal periods up to ten years subject to commissioner approval.

Eliminates the requirement that approved cooperative programs and services must provide additional pupil opportunities or greater facility use, retaining only the requirements that services be requested by two or more school districts and result in cost savings.

Authorizes boards of cooperative educational services to enter into contracts as necessary to carry out their purposes under the law.