Union
County Educational Services Commission (UCESC) is a public, non-profit
agency located in Westfield, New Jersey. It was established in June,
1969 to provide educational programs and services in response to the
needs of the students, parents, faculty and administration of its 21
member school districts.
The
concept of an Educational Services Commission was created when the
superintendents of twelve public school districts in Union County
recognized that many state and federally mandated educational services
could be delivered in a more cost-effective manner when done so on a
coordinated, countywide basis.
The
superintendents proposed legislation to design and govern an agency
capable of supporting the evolving educational needs of county school
districts. As a result, the New Jersey State Legislature adopted laws in
1967 authorizing the creation of Educational Services Commissions (NJSA
18A:6-53) et seq.
Union
County Educational Services Commission has been successful in realizing
its mission over the past four decades. The Commission operates two
alternative high schools and three schools for students with
disabilities. It directs an Alternative Interim Educational Program and a
Special Needs Career Academy within the Union County Vo-Tech School.
UCESC teachers provide bedside and remedial instruction to students at
hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, psychiatric programs and detention
centers located throughout Union County.
In
addition, Union County ESC provides state-mandated services to over
4000 students enrolled in 70 Nonpublic Schools These programs include:
Compensatory Education, Supplemental Instruction, Speech-Language
Therapy, English as a Second Language (ESL) Instruction, Child Study
Team services, Home Instruction and School Nursing Services.
Other
services provided to school districts include cooperative purchasing;
coordinated transportation services; staff development; grant writing
and assistance in meeting compliance with state and federal mandates.
UCESC
is governed by a Representative Assembly consisting of one appointed
Board of Education member from each of its 21 member public school
districts. In June of each year, the Representative Assembly elects a
Board of Directors comprised of no less than 15 of its members.
Union
County ESC has no local tax base and receives no state or federal aid.
All programs and services are funded through tuition and fees paid by
member school districts. Additional income is derived from local, state
and federal grants.