FOR RELEASE:  May 11, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert 
 (518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

The New York State School Boards Association is cautiously optimistic about a proposal to include student achievement data in teacher evaluations. 

At first glance, the proposal seems to strike a balance, with 40 percent of a teacher’s evaluation being based on student performance data and 60 percent based on locally defined criteria.  If enacted, the proposal could give administrators and school boards new tools to measure student achievement, make decisions about teacher effectiveness, and chart a path toward professional development.

FOR RELEASE:  April 29, 2010

Lowest spending increase in past five years

School districts across New York have held proposed spending increases to an average of just 1.4 percent for 2010-11, according to the latest state property tax report card.

The data, compiled by the New York State Education Department (SED), also shows that despite a proposed massive state aid cut and payment delays in the current school year, the average statewide property tax levy will increase by only 3.2 percent under the proposed 2010-11 budgets - lower than the five-year average of 4.8 percent.

FOR RELEASE:  April 22, 2010

The New York State School Boards Association, New York State Council of School Superintendents, New York State United Teachers, and the School Administrators of New York State have filed a lawsuit challenging the legality and constitutionality of Governor Paterson’s action in withholding $2.1 billion in aid payments due to be made by March 31.  The suit also seeks to enjoin any withholding of the remaining payments for this school year, due in May and June.

In December, the four groups filed a lawsuit challenging the legality and constitutionality of the Governor’s action in withholding $582 million in scheduled state aid payments and STAR reimbursements to school districts, based on the same grounds.  Those funds were paid after the suit was filed.

FOR RELEASE:  April 12, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert 
 (518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

With Gov. David Paterson once again delaying state aid payments to schools, districts across New York will be forced to borrow money or prematurely dip into reserve funds, according to the latest “Pulse Poll” from the New York State School Boards Association.

When asked the single best way to accommodate the $2.1 billion March 31st payment delay, 56 percent of school board members who responded to the poll said they would use district reserve funds. Another 18 percent said they would borrow money and 14 percent said they would freeze spending.

FOR RELEASE:  March 29, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert 
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

While we were disappointed that New York was not one of the states awarded funding in the first round of the federal Race to the Top competition, we applaud the hard work and determination of State Education Commissioner David Steiner and his staff in putting together a competitive proposal.

FOR RELEASE:  March 22, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert - NYSSBA 
 (518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

Bob Lowry - The Council of School Superintendents
(518) 449-1063 or (518) 435-5996 cell

Schools could lay off more than 14,000 teachers next year if Gov. David Paterson’s proposed $1.3 billion cut in education aid is enacted, according to a report issued today by the New York State Council of School Superintendents (the Council) and the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA).

These cuts would translate into larger class sizes, less extra help, fewer advanced classes, and other lost opportunities for students, the report showed.

Under the governor’s proposed 2010-11 Executive Budget, 99 percent of school districts in New York would see state aid cuts next year.  In response to these proposed cuts, the Council and NYSSBA surveyed school superintendents across the state to gauge the impact of the loss of state aid on schools. Completed surveys were received from 323 of 702 superintendents – a response rate of 46 percent. 

FOR RELEASE:  March 19, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert 
 (518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

A majority of school board members surveyed say the State Education Department should make Regents testing and scoring materials available online, according to the latest “Pulse Poll” from the New York State School Boards Association.

The State Education Department and Board of Regents recently discussed eliminating 13 of 17 Regents exams – one each in global history, geography, and U. S. history and government, three in science, two in math, and all foreign language exams.

FOR RELEASE:  March 12, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert 
 (518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

Don Hobart, president of the LeRoy Central School District board of education, has been named the New York State School Boards Association’s Advocate of the Year for his dedication to public education and tireless work on behalf of students. The award will be presented during the Association’s annual State Issues Conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albany on Sunday, March 14.

Hobart, who is also the president of the Genesee Valley School Boards Association, has served on the LeRoy school board for 13 years and has chaired all of the board’s committees, including: budget and finance, audit, policy, negotiations and instruction.

FOR RELEASE:  March 9, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert 
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

The latest high school graduation rate report, while showing some modest progress, also illustrates how much work is left to be done. Now is not the time to cut funding for our public schools. To do so would be short-sighted and could lead to lower graduation rates.

FOR RELEASE:  March 4, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert 
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

The New York State School Boards Association applauds Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch and State Education Commissioner David Steiner for putting together a very strong application for “Race to the Top” funding under less than ideal conditions.