The Peru Gazette

New 106,000-Square-Foot Facility to Support Growing Enrollment and Program Offerings

 Champlain Valley Educational Services (CVES) BOCES today announced plans for a major facility expansion in Essex County to meet the growing demand for educational programs and services. The proposed new building will replace the current CVES Mineville campus, originally built in 1969, and will provide expanded capacity for Career & Technical Education (CTE) and Special Education programs.

Over the past several years, enrollment at the CVES BOCES Essex campus has more than doubled, pushing the 55,000-square-foot facility to maximum capacity. With no available space to grow and faced with financial demands for facility maintenance on the current building, CVES BOCES is moving forward with plans to construct a modern, 106,000-square-foot building within approximately one mile of the current location in the Town of Moriah.

“This project represents an exciting and necessary step forward for CVES BOCES and the students and communities we serve,” said Dr. Mark Davey, District Superintendent of CVES BOCES. “As we align our work with New York Inspires and our regional Portrait of a Graduate, this expansion embodies our shared commitment to reimagining learning for the next generation. Our students deserve high-quality, future-ready environments that promote innovation, collaboration, and hands-on learning. This project will allow us to meet the growing enrollment needs and expand access to Career & Technical Education and specialized programs that prepare students for success in college, careers, and life — while strengthening our North Country workforce and communities.”

The project will not only replace an aging 1969 structure but will also provide new opportunities for instructional innovation and community partnerships.

Dr. Eric Bell, Deputy Superintendent of CVES BOCES, added, “Our programs have outgrown our current space, and this expansion will open the door to new possibilities. Moreover, the costs of maintaining the current facility for another decade would far exceed the value we’d gain. Building new through this lease agreement allows us to provide students with state-of-the-art learning spaces at a significantly lower cost per square foot, and because the lease is 100% aidable through BOCES, it’s an efficient and responsible solution for our districts and taxpayers. This is an investment in both education and the future of our region’s workforce.”

Project Timeline

• Design Phase: November 2025 – September 2026
• Submission to NYSED for Review: January 2026
• Groundbreaking: Fall 2026
• Opening of New Building: July 2028

The new facility will be developed through a lease agreement with the Community Initiatives Development Corporation (CIDC), following the same successful arrangement used for the new CVES CTE Center in Plattsburgh. Preliminary financial estimates for a 20-year lease project a year one cost of $3.1 million, shared among CVES BOCES’ 16 component districts. New York State will reimburse districts more than $2 million of this amount through BOCES aid.

The Town of Moriah and Essex County leadership have been strong partners of CVES throughout this process. “This project is a win for our community and for our young people,” said Matthew Brassard, Supervisor of the Town of Moriah. “Education is the foundation of a strong local economy, and we’re proud to support CVES BOCES as they invest in a modern facility right here in Moriah. The new building will not only enhance educational opportunities but also strengthen our town’s connection to regional workforce development and economic development.”

Once completed, the modernized campus will enhance learning environments, allow for expanded CTE programming, and increase capacity for specialized education services—ensuring that CVES BOCES continues to meet the evolving educational and workforce needs of the region.

“The CVES Mineville campus has long been a cornerstone of opportunity for students in Essex County,” said Dr. Davey. “This new facility represents an exciting investment in our region’s future. It will support the next generation of learners in developing the essential skills, mindsets, and experiences for decades to come.  Together with our districts, communities, and partners, we are building pathways that inspire every student to achieve their full potential.”

The existing CVES Mineville Campus building will be sold as part of the overall facility plan once the new campus is operational.