NYSSBA Overview

The New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) is the statewide voice for the interests of public boards of education. NYSSBA serves more than 678 local school boards and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES), which represent more than 5,000 members – nearly half the elected officials in the state.

In general school board members – who sit on local boards of education – are the educational leaders in their communities. They determine the policies that govern the operation of their local public school systems. They are elected local officials and, with few exceptions, volunteers. Collectively they guide a statewide school system that expends more than $75 billion, employs nearly 520,000 people and serves nearly 2.4 million children.

NYSSBA provides information, training, advocacy and guidance on matters affecting school boards, and collaborates with other educational and related organizations to promote excellence in education for public school students.

NYSSBA was founded in 1896 in Utica, New York, as the New York State Association for School Boards. In 1920 the name changed to the State Association of School Boards and Trustees of New York State. By 1929 it became the Associated School Boards and Trustees of the State of New York.

In 1932 the organization merged with the New York State Association of Central Rural School District Boards to form the New York State School Boards Association, which was then incorporated in 1935. In 1945 the expenditure of public funds payable as dues to the Association was given a legal foundation in Education Law by the state Legislature.