On Board Online • September 21, 2020

By Eric D. Randall
Editor-in-Chief
and Pauline Liu
Special Correspondent

Educators across the state have expressed feeling both jubilant and distressed as schools reopened this September. On one hand, it's a long-awaited return to some semblance of normalcy, especially in districts that are holding in-person classes (about 93% of districts, according to a NYSSBA poll of school board presidents).

On Board Online • September 21, 2020

Fred Langstaff
NYSSBA President

As we are reminded at every turn, these are not normal times.

High school football will be a spring sport this school year.

Schools that used to worry about standardized tests are now obligated to submit daily reports on medical tests.

On Board Online • September 21, 2020

By Paul Heiser
Senior Research Analyst

The rate school districts will have to pay to the state Employees' Retirement System will rise in 2021-22 compared with the 2020-21 rate, the state comptroller's office anno

On Board Online • September 21, 2020

By Eric D. Randall
Editor-in-Chief

Seema Yasmin, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and physician who teaches a class on "Media, Medicine & (Mis)information" at Stanford University, will join a panel of experts at NYSSBA's 12th Annual Pre-Convention Communications Workshop, which will focus on how schools should talk about the risk of COVID-19 with their key audiences.

On Board Online • September 21, 2020

By Cathy Woodruff
Senior Writer

Judith H. Katz, who served on boards of the Williamsville Central School District and the Erie 1 BOCES for a combined total of more than 50 years, has been honored with New York's highest honor for distinguished school board service.

Katz, an early leader of regional efforts to appreciate and encourage diversity in public education, will receive the Everett R. Dyer Award for Distinguished School Board Service in October. Look for a video announcement on the dashboard of the 2020 Annual Convention & Education Expo, which will be held virtually this year from Oct. 20-22 and Oct. 27-29.

On Board Online • September 21, 2020

By Sal Prividera
Special Correspondent

Edward J. Nitkewicz, an 11-year member of the South Huntington Board of Education on Long Island and long-time advocate for children with special needs, has been named the 2020 winner of NYSSBA President's Award.

The President's Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions toward the betterment of public education in New York State. Nitkewicz will be honored in a virtual presentation accessible from the dashboard of the 2020 Annual Convention & Education Expo, which will be held online in October.