|
Susan Bergtraum This year's presidential primaries on both the Republican and Democratic sides seem to have taught us a lot about politics and the political process. As school board members, we're no strangers to running for election. But you have to admit, this year's election season has been like no other - and what a contrast to local school board elections! The federal electoral system is so much more complicated than the local school board election process. This year, we've really gotten a peek into how presidential candidates actually earn delegates during the primary process. I don't remember anything about "super delegates" from civics class. Talk about a teachable moment! |
|
|
| On Board Online • May 2, 2016 By Cathy Woodruff A three-year schedule for rebooting all elements of New York's education reform agenda will culminate with the proposal of a new evaluation system for teachers and principals in the 2019-20 school year, Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia told the Regents at their April meeting. Under Elia's detailed timeline, the new evaluation system will await completion of two other initiatives: revising state standards and overhauling state tests. Yet, all three will move simultaneously on their own dedicated tracks for review, public input, professional development and other carefully phased work, she said. |
|
|
| On Board Online • May 2, 2016 By Cathy Woodruff For nearly 70 schools around New York, the word that they soon will graduate from state lists of struggling and persistently struggling schools has created a classic good news-bad news scenario. Losing the label has been cause for celebration in many schools, lifting them from a state-imposed program known as receivership. But by shedding that status, nine schools now stand to lose shares of $75 million the Legislature set aside for "persistently struggling" schools. |
|
|
| On Board Online • April 11, 2016 By Cathy Woodruff Ever since Ithaca school officials discovered disturbing levels of lead in district drinking water, they've been hearing lots of questions from their counterparts in other districts. "Many are reaching out to us, as we are in the news about it," said David Brown, the district's chief administration officer. "They want to know where we found it and how we are researching it, how we are getting certified water into the building, how and when we decided to do the testing. Basically, the questions are more general than specific. '" |
| On Board Online • April 11, 2016 By Cathy Woodruff New York's state budget for 2016-17 boosts state aid to school districts by significantly increasing foundation aid and eliminating the gap elimination adjustment, which has plagued school districts since the annual aid deductions began at the height of the last recession. This year's overall $1.47 billion school aid increase provides $627 million more in foundation aid. The new budget also allocates $434 million to finally vanquish the last traces of the GEA, which was born as the "deficit reduction assessment" when it was introduced in 2009-10 by then-Gov. David Paterson to help close huge mid-year state budget deficits. |
|
Timothy G. Kremer Our recent membership survey reinforced the fact that school board members have a deep desire to better their communities and advance student achievement. NYSSBA's mission is to help you do that. I was thinking about that as I reviewed our annual report summarizing NYSSBA's activities and finances. How good a job are we doing? Are our efforts aligned with the needs and aspirations of the membership? Like your school districts, NYSSBA strives for continuous improvement. Overall, I think the Association provides our members with much value. In many cases, we work with allies to achieve goals, and in others we offer unique benefits available nowhere else. |
| On Board Online • April 11, 2016 By Eric D. Randall The fine print of the 2016 enacted state budget (see story, page 3) has temporarily dashed hopes that the Legislature and governor would stop making individual school districts' receipt of state aid increases dependent on having a state-approved annual professional performance review (APPR) plan. APPR plans still must be compliant with the changes made in the 2015 budget (Education Law section 3012-d) by Sept. 1. "Districts who do not have an approved plan in place face a significant penalty - the loss of both their 2015 and 2016 state aid increases," said Julie Marlette, NYSSBA's director of governmental relations. |
| On Board Online • April 11, 2016 By Paul Heiser There are 728 school districts and BOCES in New York State, each with their own unique salary schedules. As a result, the average annual salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree and 10 years of experience ranges from as little as $35,479 or as much as $89,830 in 2013, according to a recent study by the Education Commission of the States (ECS). |
<< Previous Page Next Page >> |
On Board Online • May 2, 2016
On Board Online • April 11, 2016