FOR RELEASE: May 14, 2014
CONTACT: Al Marlin
(518) 783-3723 or (518) 527-6933 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards
Schools statewide are proposing an average tax levy increase of just 1.98 percent, the lowest in five years, according to an analysis of state property tax report card data by the New York State School Boards Association.
Ninety-six percent of school districts are proposing tax levy increases at or below their tax levy limits in their upcoming budgets.
“School boards worked diligently to craft budgets that balance the needs of students with their taxpayers’ ability to pay,” said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer. “The past several years brought substantial cuts in staff and programs, but the additional state aid this year helped many schools hold the line on any further deep cuts.
FOR RELEASE: April 22, 2014
CONTACT: Al Marlin
(518) 783-3723 or (518) 527-6933 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards
Who: School board members, local government officials and elected leaders
What: Municipal Innovation Exchange Summit
When: Friday, April 25, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Holiday Inn Liverpool, 441 Electronics Parkway, Syracuse, NY
With the recent passage of the New York State property tax freeze agreement, local governments and school districts need to further examine efficient ways to consolidate or share services with neighboring municipalities. These potential cost savings would benefit local taxpayers.
The leaders from four state associations that represent school boards, counties, cities, villages and towns will host a summit to introduce the Municipal Innovation eXchange (MIX), a new collaborative effort to help school districts and local governments expand ongoing efforts to share and consolidate services.
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FOR RELEASE: April 7, 2014
CONTACT: Al Marlin
(518) 783-3723 or (518) 527-6933 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards
Anne M. Byrne of Nanuet was elected president of the National School Boards Association during NSBA’s annual conference in April in New Orleans.
The National School Boards Association represents state school boards associations and more than 90,000 local school board members who lead 13,809 local school districts serving the nation's 50 million public school students. Byrne has been a member of the NSBA board since 2006.
Byrne was president of the New York State School Boards Association from 2004 to 2005. She served as vice president in 2002-2003 and the Area 10 Director from 1997 to 2003, representing school boards in Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.
FOR RELEASE: March 31, 2014
CONTACT: Al Marlin
(518) 783-3723 or (518) 527-6933 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards
The state’s 2014-15 budget represents a positive step forward for school districts. The $1.1 billion increase in state aid will help preserve educational opportunities for students
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We appreciate the upward trend in funding. This marks the third consecutive increase in education funding in the state budget.
That said, school district needs remain high. To put things into perspective, even after a $602 million restoration, the GEA is still withholding some $1 billion in state support for public schools. Rather than subsidize state rebate checks, the $344 million earmarked next year for the “tax freeze” would have been better spent by providing increased support to schools.
FOR RELEASE: March 21, 2014
CONTACT: Al Marlin
(518) 783-3723 or (518) 527-6933 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards
Daniel Tomaszewski, president of the Longwood Central School District Board of Education, has been named Advocate of the Year by the New York State School Boards Association for his longstanding dedication to public education and his tireless efforts on behalf of students. The award was presented to Tomaszewski at the Association’s Capital Conference in Albany.
"Tomaszewski’s name has become synonymous with both advocacy and Longwood. Over the past 10 years, he has made it his mission to develop relationships with their six state legislators to advocate for public education," said David Little, NYSSBA director of government relations.
FOR RELEASE: March 21, 2014
CONTACT: Al Marlin
(518) 783-3723 or (518) 527-6933 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards
The Utica City School District Board of Education has been named School Board Advocate of the Year by the New York State School Boards Association for its outstanding leadership, focus and effort in public education advocacy. The award was presented to the board at the Association’s Capital Conference in Albany.
The board is involved in many local advocacy initiatives. Board members meet with representatives of the state Assembly, Senate and governor’s office on a regular basis to discuss ways to improve the education quality for students.
FOR RELEASE: March 21, 2014
CONTACT: Al Marlin
(518) 783-3723 or (518) 527-6933 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards
Russell Stewart, president of the Waterville Board of Education, has been named an Advocate of the Year by the New York State School Boards Association for his service and dedication to public education. The award was presented to Stewart at the Association’s Capital Conference in Albany.
"Stewart has been an effective leader in advocacy efforts on a local, regional, state and national level for the past 28 years," said David Little, NYSSBA director of government relations. "He is always seeking ways to make himself a better advocate."
FOR RELEASE: March 21, 2014
CONTACT: Al Marlin
(518) 783-3723 or (518) 527-6933 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards
Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy (D-Albany County) has been named a State Legislative Freshman Leader of the Year by the New York State School Boards Association for her vision and dedication to public education. The award was presented at the Association’s Capital Conference in Albany.
“Assemblywoman Fahy’s dedication to public education makes her a natural choice for this honor,” said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer. “She has made listening to her constituent school boards a top priority and has demonstrated a deep understanding of the issues affecting our schools today.”
FOR RELEASE: March 21, 2014
CONTACT: Al Marlin
(518) 783-3723 or (518) 527-6933 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards
Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk (D-Albany County) has been named a State Legislative Freshman of the Year by the New York State School Boards Association for her leadership and in public education. The award was presented at the Association’s Capital Conference in Albany.
“Senator Tkaczyk has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to public education issues,” said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer. “She has met with boards of education, participated in educational forums and events, and made state aid for education a top legislative priority.”
FOR RELEASE: March 18, 2014
CONTACT: David Albert
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards
The New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) today issued a report highlighting the consequences the governor’s proposed property tax freeze would have on school districts across the state.
“Put simply, the tax freeze would have a chilling effect on educational opportunities for children, particularly if those children live in low-wealth districts,” said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer.
The governor’s tax freeze proposal aims to give certain property taxpayers a personal income tax credit for increases in their property tax bills for the next two years if their school districts stay within the property tax cap and, in later years, develop plans for sharing or consolidating services.