FOR RELEASE:  November 7, 2012

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

The New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) today asked state lawmakers to consider four initiatives in order to help school districts and students affected by Hurricane Sandy.

“Right now, many of those communities hit hardest by Sandy are dealing with the loss of basic necessities – food, power, fuel and shelter,” said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer.  “But as life slowly begins to return to normal, schools will be facing a slew of issues as they sort through legal requirements.”

The four initiatives that would help schools impacted by Sandy include:

FOR RELEASE: November 1, 2012

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

Thomas Nespeca of Webster, NY has been re-elected president of the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA). His one-year term begins Jan. 1, 2013>

The election took place Saturday, Oct. 27, at NYSSBA’s Annual Business Meeting in Rochester. A total of 228 voting delegates participated in the business meeting, which was held in conjunction with the Association’s 93rd Annual Convention and Education Expo attended by nearly 2,500 members of the education community.

"NYSSBA is committed to providing strong leadership to New York schools," said Nespeca.  "As an organization, we are particularly focused on being advocates for education and children.  We're committed to making progress, every week, every month and every year."

Nespeca, who served two terms as vice president of NYSSBA, was first appointed to the Board of Directors in 2006. He served as NYSSBA’s Area 2 Director where he represented school boards in Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties.

Nespeca has been a member of the Webster School Board since 1998, having served as president and vice president. He is also a member of the Monroe County School Boards Association and served as president in 2004-05. Nespeca also served on the Monroe County School Board Association’s Executive Committee and formerly co-chaired the Legislative Committee.

FOR RELEASE:  October 26, 2012

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

School districts around the state should take note of four key lessons from the first year of the property tax cap, according to a new research brief issued today by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA).

“As school districts begin community budget forums and planning sessions, now is an opportune time to reflect back and ask, ‘What can we learn from our first go-round with the cap?’” said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer. 

FOR RELEASE:  October 25, 2012

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

Anne L. Bryant, recently retired as executive director of the National School Boards Association (NSBA), has been named the 2012 New York State School Boards Association’s President’s Award winner.

The President’s Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions toward the betterment of public education in New York. It is the highest tribute that the Association bestows outside its membership.

FOR RELEASE:  October 18, 2012

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

Nearly 2,000 school board members, superintendents and educators from across New York will arrive in Rochester next week for the New York State School Boards Association’s 93rd Annual Convention and Education Expo.

The three-day event is being held Oct. 25-27 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

Among the headline speakers are FOX News political analyst and Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist Juan Williams; teacher and best-selling author Erin Gruwell, whose journey is chronicled in The Freedom Writers Diary, which became a movie with Oscar winner Hilary Swank; and bullying prevention expert Barbara Coloroso.

The convention comes as New York schools implement a number of key federal education initiatives – including Race to the Top and Common Core learning standards – as well as a number of new statewide measures such as teacher and principal evaluation systems and the Dignity for All Students Act.  

State Education Commissioner John King will also be on hand to discuss the impact of these initiatives on schools.

FOR RELEASE: September 7, 2012

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

Harry Reeder, a member of the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education, is the 2012 winner of the New York State School Boards Association’s top award for school board service.

Reeder, who has served as a school board member for 20 years, will receive the 2012 Everett R. Dyer Award for Distinguished School Board Service from NYSSBA President Thomas Nespeca Friday, Oct. 26, at the Association’s annual convention in Rochester.

FOR RELEASE:  August 28, 2012

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

In response to a flurry of new initiatives this year, schools for the first time will be adopting new Common Core math and English/language arts standards for grades 3 through 8, tying teacher evaluations to growth in student achievement, and stepping up bullying prevention efforts.
 
“The start of the new school year often brings many new initiatives, but this year is notable for the breadth and complexity of them,” said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer.  “School board members are poised to raise academic standards, put the best possible teachers in the classroom, and create a safe school environment.  They certainly have their work cut out for them, but they are up to the challenge.”

FOR RELEASE:  July 31, 2012

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

School board members welcome the governor’s veto of 7722-A / A.10722-A.

The bill would have made a child’s cultural and family background a factor in special education placements, thereby promoting religious segregation in special education placements at taxpayer expense.  This result is contrary to the pluralistic values upon which our public education system was established.

FOR RELEASE:  June 22, 2012

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

As school districts around the state hold their graduation ceremonies, state lawmakers have also adjourned for the summer having completed a productive legislative session.

First, lawmakers delivered on mandate relief.  They enacted Tier VI pension reform to make employee retirement systems more affordable, and allowed schools to use national purchasing cooperatives and “piggyback” onto large municipal contracts, paving the way for millions in cost savings. 

Next, they preserved a degree of confidentiality in teacher and principal evaluations while still allowing those who need the information the most – parents – to know the quality ratings and effectiveness scores of their children’s teachers.

FOR RELEASE:  June 21, 2012

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

State lawmakers had two choices:  Keep the status quo of allowing full public disclosure of the names of teachers and principals along with their evaluations, or make an individual teacher’s overall rating score available only to parents.