On Board Online • May 23, 2016

By Jessica Goldstein
Deputy Director of Policy Services

Within the 2016 budget bill was a policy initiative with big implications for school districts. Six pages of text will impact district-wide school safety plans, including emergency response plans.

Every school district and BOCES in the state is affected by these requirements, which go into effect on July 1, 2016. The amendments involve Education Law sections 2801-a, 807, and 3604.

Safety and emergency plans in their present form have been required since the Project SAVE legislation of 2001, which was enacted in response to the Columbine school shooting.

On Board Online • May 23, 2016

By Merri Rosenberg
Special Correspondent

In Adam Schoenbart's classroom in the Ossining school district, 20 high school sophomores are tapping away on tablet computers to fulfill an assignment about climate change.

"Post your claims to the community," says Schoenbart, 30.

"Once you've posted the article, do your best to tag people with your replies to their claims," he adds.

On Board Online • May 23, 2016

By Jay Worona
Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel

In a decision relevant to school districts across New York State, the state's highest court has ruled in favor of a business owner seeking tax refunds covering three years despite failing to file a challenge to property assessments in those years.

NYSSBA filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the school district in the case, entitled In the Matter of Highbridge Broadway, LLC v. Assessor of the City of Schenectady and the Schenectady City School District.