Member Services and Programs

NYSSBA's programs and services – organized around the Association's goals to provide advocacy, information, leadership development and custom services for school districts – are designed to help school board members advance the cause of public education for the children of New York.

NYSSBA provides member boards with skill building and informative education programs, publications and consultant services. It represents the views of its members with legislators and policymakers in Albany and Washington, D.C. NYSSBA also stands ready to assist members with legal questions, negotiation advice, policy guidance, communications activities, research needs and much more.

Many of the services and publications NYSSBA offers are free to members. For members who need special assistance, NYSSBA offers a wide array of leadership development and customized fee-based programs and services. This allows the Association to keep membership dues at stable levels while providing a greater level of services to member boards when the need arises.

Advocacy
NYSSBA's advocacy efforts on the state and federal levels are directed by the 5,000 locally elected officials that comprise its membership. As NYSSBA members and locally elected education leaders, board members are in the best position to identify those issues that most need the support, time and attention of the Association.

Issues go to the full membership through the resolutions process. Proposed resolutions are passed by a member school board or NYSSBA's Board of Directors and submitted to NYSSBA for consideration by member delegates at the Annual Business Meeting each October. Adopted resolutions become the position statements that form NYSSBA's legislative agenda.

NYSSBA promotes the value of public education at the state and federal levels in the following ways:

  • Governmental Representation
     NYSSBA advocates an aggressive and effective legislative and regulatory program based on resolutions adopted by delegates at the Annual Business Meeting and on positions taken by the Board of Directors. (dues-based)

  • Direct Litigation
     NYSSBA represents the membership in state and federal courts and before the commissioner of education and the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) on matters of statewide significance. (dues-based)

  • Friend-of-the-Court Briefs
    NYSSBA crafts friend-of-the-court briefs to support member legal actions of statewide significance. (dues-based)

  • The Capital Conference
    Every February, join NYSSBA as we help you prepare to advocate on behalf of your students. Meet with legislators and other state policymakers before budget proposals are finalized and gain perspective on legislative and budget priorities.

  • National Advocacy Institute
    An annual event each January, where school board members from each Congressional district lobby their federal representatives in Washington, D.C., including New York's two senators, on federal issues such as the No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, that affect school districts. This conference is sponsored jointly by NYSSBA and the National School Boards Association. FRN members also advocate their positions throughout the year. (dues-based)

  • Legislative Alerts
    NYSSBA provides electronic Legislative Alerts and Calls to Action when issues demand direct involvement of all NYSSBA members. (dues-based)

  • Local Support
    NYSSBA supports local advocates through regional issue briefings and collaboration with county and local associations, in cooperation with the Council of Local School Boards Associations (COLSBA). Members also have access to advocacy materials, such as sample letters to legislators. (dues-based)

  • Webinars
    NYSSBA produces interactive webinars on key legislative actions and topics such as the State budget. (dues-based)

Information
NYSSBA provides vital information to help your board make informed decisions.

  • On Board
    NYSSBA's award-winning newspaper is published every three weeks and is distributed by mail to 11,000 readers including school board members, superintendents and other school administrators, public officials and the media. On Board covers issues in education, governmental actions and legal rulings that affect schools and research on what’s effective in public education. Columns address a variety of school leadership topics including school policy development, while photography and feature stories highlight local programs and initiatives that are innovative and reproducible. (free to readers; dues-based)
  • On Board Extra
    On Board Extra is an email service that delivers breaking news stories to school board members and administrators in NYSSBA member districts. Initially created to summarize monthly meetings of the Board of Regents, On Board Extra became a much more frequent news product during the coronavirus pandemic to keep school leaders informed of executive orders and the issuance of new guidance documents issued by state and federal authorities. (free to readers; dues-based)
  • Weekly Message from the Executive Director
    Each week, NYSSBA’s Executive Director provides a comprehensive email update on the latest NYSSBA, state and national education news.
  • E-Clips
    NYSSBA keeps school district officials up-to-date on the latest in education news from around the state by providing E-Clips, a free e-mail clipping service delivered six days a week, with stories from local, state and national news outlets.
  • School Board Member Experience
    Comprehensive resources for individuals interested in learning about school board service, this site offers a virtual journey from the decision to run for school board to the first year of service.
  • Publications
    NYSSBA offers a variety of handbooks and guidebooks for school board members on important board topics, including the 38th edition of School Law. (reduced fee for members)
  • Expert Advice
    NYSSBA staff can answer your questions on legal issues, employee relations, governance, policy, public relations and legislative issues related to education. (dues-based)
  • Research
    NYSSBA provides members research reports focusing on the latest in education-related research and trends that affect school boards' advocacy and governance activities. (dues-based)
  • Area Directors Newsletters
    Board members, superintendents, district clerks and other key district personnel of NYSSBA's member school districts receive e-mail newsletters from their NYSSBA Area Director monthly, keeping you up-to-date on all of NYSSBA's activities, events and accomplishments.
  • Section 3020-A Data Base
    NYSSBA maintains a database with information on decisions regarding the discipline of tenured teachers and administrators under section 3020-a of the Education Law to assist school districts and their school attorney in their preparing for, and participation in such proceedings.

Leadership Development
NYSSBA offers a variety of training opportunities, both in the classroom and online, to meet your leadership team's developmental needs. NYSSBA provides the skills you need to meet the ever-changing challenges of board governance and fiscal accountability with a training program designed to enhance your leadership skills. Whether you are a newly elected or seasoned board member, our training programs are designed for you! NYSSBA’s Recognition program also acknowledges the extensive time and effort school board members devote to professional development with a point-based recognition program.

  • The Annual Convention
    NYSSBA’s premiere event held in October is the largest statewide gathering of public education leaders in New York.  The convention consists of more than 100 education sessions, state and national speakers, special networking events.
  • State Mandated Training
    School board members may complete your state-mandated governance and fiscal oversight training at a two-day in person event offered in locations around the state, via a live virtual training or in a self-paced online course. Gain foundational knowledge and skills. Become familiar with board roles and responsibilities, policies and procedures, legal rights and more. (fee-based).
  • Board Officers Academy
    Current and aspiring school board officers can elevate your expertise in school board governance and leading the governance team. Get cutting-edge information and top-level skills development, gain familiarity with key issues and network with other board officers and officer candidates.
  • Legal Seminars
    NYSSBA's Legal Department presents seminars and workshops across the state on legal topics that affect board members, superintendents, school principals, pupil services personnel, committees for special education (CSE) chairs and other school staff, and school attorneys. These events include a series of special education seminars; a series of summer law conferences; and the Association's annual Pre-Convention School Law Seminar. (fee-based)
  • Recognition Program
    NYSSBA acknowledges graduates of NYSSBA's School Board Institute and other members committed to attending Leadership Development events with a special recognition program. (dues-based)

Custom Services
 NYSSBA's expert consultants deliver special programs and services when the need arises

  • Custom Board Retreats (CBR)
    Tailored to meet the specific needs of your board or full governance team; These onsite programs help a board set goals, strengthen the governance team, improve specific knowledge or skills or resolve a local problem. CBRs are scheduled at a time and place convenient for the board - weekday, evening, or weekend. Programs can be from three hours to a full day in duration. (fee-based)
  • The Essential Policy Manual
    The Essential Policy Manual delivers custom-tailored policy manuals to meet individual school districts' needs, including revisions, and new policies and/or regulations, to reflect the latest changes to state and federal laws and regulations. (fee-based)
  • E-Policy
    E-Policy. NYSSBA converts paper policy manuals into powerful online formats that can be instantly accessed by board members, district officials and the community, or any combination that boards choose, on any computer with Internet access. It includes Internet links to provisions of state and federal laws, and relevant court decisions. (fee-based)
  • Policy Update
    Let NYSSBA keep your policy manual electronically up-to-date with the latest policies, regulations and exhibits. NYSSBA monitors key changes in law and regulations at both the state and federal level that impact policy. (fee-based)
  • Policy by Design
    NYSSBA now offers a policy service that allows you to design your own package to suit your district’s needs. (fee-based)


School Service Partners Program
NYSSBA investigates companies that offer services that districts need. We've done the research to find reputable companies that can offer your district outstanding services at reasonable rates. For more information on these programs, contact NYSSBA at 800.342.3360 or info@nyssba.org.

  • BoardDocs
    BoardDocs offers districts a user-friendly approach to paperless board meetings. School governance teams can streamline operations, decrease costs, increase transparency and reduce the size of board packets by up to 75 percent. Board Docs technology encompasses virtually any type of governance document, including agenda items, supporting documents, policies and procedures. Don’t wait – go paperless!
  • SuperEval
    SuperEval provides reflective and evidenced-based online evaluations for education leaders. The customizable platform allows you to choose the team members who will participate, select the competencies or professional practices, and determine the rubric for each evaluation.
  • School Aid Specialists (SAS)
    SAS is a statewide consulting firm that specializes in maximizing state aid and other revenues for school districts. SAS offers a range of services tailored to specific district needs – from a comprehensive service package to a risk free fee model for revenue recoveries. And if no money is found, there are no fees.
  • Public Employer Risk Management Association (PERMA)
     PERMA is the trusted source to more than 600 public entities across New York State for strategic Workers’ Compensation coverage plans as well as proactive and workplace solutions. Membership in PERMA includes access to valuable safety, training, and risk management programs as part of our comprehensive approach to workplace safety and claim prevention. From facility and policy recommendations to the latest conflict de-escalation techniques, PERMA develops solutions for school districts that help keep workers safe and costs down.
  • OMNIA Partners
    At OMNIA Partners, we understand the unique needs of primary education institutions, and we're here to make your purchasing experience hassle-free and efficient. Our approach to cooperative purchasing is designed to help schools reach their goals and maximize their procurement strategy.
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