On Board Online • October 13, 2025
By Eric D. Randall
Editor-in-Chief
In a first-ever list of the top 65 trade, professional and advocacy organizations in New York State, City & State New York magazine has named NYSSBA among the honorees.
Others on the list include the Business Council of New York State, the Greater New York Hospital Association and the New York State Association of Counties.
"We're honored to be included," said Robert Schneider, NYSSBA's executive director. "I commend NYSSBA's staff for their hard work to support our members, which led to this recognition."
The magazine wrote:
"The New York State School Boards Association counts 671 school districts and 5,000 school board members across New York as members. With a staff of 52, NYSSBA supports student achievement and local school board leadership through advocacy, information and training. It also advocates for public education at the state and federal levels, and defends the authority and responsibility of school boards statewide."
For each group on the list, the magazine described its "biggest achievement" in the last year. "In 2025, NYSSBA helped secure a more than $1.7 billion increase in state aid for schools, as well as important updates to the foundation aid funding formula and the adoption of universal school meals," the magazine said. "NYSSBA provided school boards statewide with support for a new law requiring boards of education to have at least one student member. Support included a toolkit, webinar, training for the new student members and various educational sessions devoted to this topic. The association also launched NYSSBA Accelerate, a comprehensive learning program for newly elected members that helps them become knowledgeable school board members more quickly."
On its website, City & State describes itself as a non-partisan media organization covering local and state issues for an audience of leaders: "We offer round-the-clock coverage through our award-winning commentary and analysis, weekly publications, daily e-briefs, events, podcast interviews and more."