FOR RELEASE:  January 7, 2013

CONTACT: Al Marlin
(518) 783-3723 or (518) 527-6933 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards

The New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) will be live tweeting its reaction to the education proposals in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s State-of-the-State address on January 9.

Members of the media looking for reaction to the education initiatives proposed by the governor can find NYSSBA on Twitter @nyschoolboards.

In addition, NYSSBA Executive Director Tim Kremer will be available for interviews immediately after the governor’s address, and on Thursday, January 10.  Please contact Al Marlin at (518)783-3723 or 527-6933 to schedule an interview.

-30-

FOR RELEASE:  January 4, 2013

CONTACT: David Albert
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards

More than half of school board members who responded to an informal poll by the New York State School Boards Association either said they do not believe their students have enough access to mental health services (38 percent) or that they were unsure (14 percent) if students had adequate access.

FOR RELEASE:  January 2, 2013

CONTACT: David Albert
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards

School boards stand firmly behind the basic premise of the Commission’s preliminary report: Putting Students First. 

All of us want to provide greater access to early childhood education programs, improve teacher quality, and ensure that students receive the social and educational support services they need to succeed.

December 28, 2012

The Mandate Relief Council is an eleven-member Executive and Legislative council charged with reviewing and advancing proposals to reduce the statutory and regulatory burden on local governments and school districts. Governor Cuomo signed the law creating the Mandate Relief Council as part of a mandate relief package that will save local governments and school districts more than $125 million.

The State depends on its local governments and school districts to deliver essential services to its residents and often prescribes how these services should be provided. These requirements are woven throughout State laws and regulations – limiting flexibility and increasing costs. The Council was created to find, review, and reform these mandates.

FOR RELEASE:  December 15, 2012

CONTACT: David Albert
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards

Every school board member in New York feels shock and horror over the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  No words can express our sadness over the losses in this horrific tragedy.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families.

FOR RELEASE:  December 11, 2012

CONTACT: David Albert
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards

School districts in New York State would lose an average of $243,000 in federal funding for their 2013-14 school budgets if lawmakers in Washington, D.C. cannot avert the so-called fiscal cliff by January 2, according to a NYSSBA analysis of federal grant allocations to school districts.

“The consequences of lawmakers not reaching agreement on the fiscal cliff are severe for students in New York schools, especially those in city school districts,” said New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer.

In total, schools in New York stand to lose $164 million in federal funding earmarked largely for educational programs serving students with disabilities and students in poverty. NYSSBA’s analysis is based on across-the-board cuts in federal programs – known as sequestration – that the White House estimates to be 8.2 percent.

FOR RELEASE:  December 11, 2012

CONTACT: David Albert
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards

School districts in New York State would lose an average of $243,000 in federal funding for their 2013-14 school budgets if lawmakers in Washington, D.C. cannot avert the so-called fiscal cliff by January 2, according to a NYSSBA analysis of federal grant allocations to school districts.

“The consequences of lawmakers not reaching agreement on the fiscal cliff are severe for students in New York schools, especially those in city school districts,” said New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer.

In total, schools in New York stand to lose $164 million in federal funding earmarked largely for educational programs serving students with disabilities and students in poverty. NYSSBA’s analysis is based on across-the-board cuts in federal programs – known as sequestration – that the White House estimates to be 8.2 percent.

FOR RELEASE:  December 10, 2012

CONTACT: David Albert
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards

About one-half (49 percent) of school board members favor giving priority placement in state-funded universal pre-kindergarten programs to children living in poverty, according to a new poll by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA).  Forty-three percent oppose the measure, while 8 percent are uncertain.

The poll comes as the state Board of Regents prepares to vote on proposals that would give priority placement in universal pre-K programs to children who qualify for free- and reduced-price lunch, as well as direct more state pre-K funding to average and low wealth school districts.  The Regents’ vote is whether to recommend these policy changes.  To become law, the state Legislature would have to adopt both proposals.

“Board members recognize that children living in lower wealth areas often have fewer options for early childhood programs,” said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer. “At the same time, if the universal pre-K program is truly going to be ‘universal,’ then all three- and four-year old children should have access to it.”

FOR RELEASE:  November 14, 2012

CONTACT: David Albert
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards

On behalf of school boards, the New York State School Boards Association thanks Gov. Andrew Cuomo for extending the payment deadline for property taxpayers in certain school districts affected by Hurricane Sandy. 

Executive Order #70 issued Nov.  9 extends the period for paying taxes without interest or penalties for up to 21 days for taxpayers in 34 school districts in Nassau County and one school district in Orange County.

FOR RELEASE: November 14, 2012

CONTACT: David Albert
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell
On Twitter: @nyschoolboards

Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of school board members believe students should be taught about the impact of climate change on natural disasters, according to a new Pulse Poll by the New York State School Boards Association.

“Hurricane Sandy wreaked devastation on many communities,” said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer.  “The fact that Hurricane Sandy followed so soon after Tropical Storms Irene and Lee could provide a teachable moment about the role of climate change on our environment.”

In addition, an overwhelming majority (77 percent) of school board members believe the state should allow districts that were affected by Hurricane Sandy to have fewer than 180 days of instruction without losing state aid.  Unless lawmakers waive the 180-day requirement, school districts would face a loss of state aid if they were unable to make up classes. There is currently legislation pending in Albany to waive the requirement.