William J. Kemble is reporting in the Daily Freeman the Questar III BOCES [BOW-seez] proposed $5.8 million administrative budget for 2015-16 has been approved by the school boards in all 22 of its component districts in Columbia, Greene and Rensselaer counties. The administrative portion grew by nearly 5 percent over the current year. Questar III BOCES officials said most of the increase was the result of retiree benefits. The total 2015-16 Questar III BOCES spending plan is $70 million. School boards vote only on the administrative portion of BOCES budgets. The state Legislature created BOCES in 1948 to provide shared educational programs and services. There are 37 BOCES, or Board of Cooperative Educational Services, statewide. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.