On Board Online • June 29, 2020

By Pauline Liu
Special Correspondent

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, New York's 2020 annual district budget votes and board elections were conducted by mail, with all eligible voters using absentee ballots. District clerks helped districts navigate uncharted territory that involved grueling logistics, soaring costs, widespread delays, record voter participation and, in the end, overwhelming support for school budgets.

On Board Online • June 29, 2020

By Pauline Liu
Special Correspondent

Since school buildings closed in March, school districts and BOCES across New York say they've been barraged by unsolicited emails hawking COVID-19 related products including sanitizer, clear barriers and online learning systems.

Multiple companies are offering to sell custom masks in school colors for both adults and children. They'll even include images of school mascots.

On Board Online • June 29, 2020

Fred Langstaff
NYSSBA President

The most unusual school year in memory has come to a close. Staff in every district deserves high praise for moving to distance learning, ramping up food service, providing day care for children of first responders, creating graduation ceremonies and moving mountains to pull off a last-minute switch to elections by absentee ballot.

What lessons have we learned? Here are seven:

On Board Online • June 29, 2020

By Paul Heiser
Senior Research Analyst

Despite an economic recession and other stresses during the coronavirus pandemic, voters across the state approved more than 98% of school spending plans this year, according to a NYSSBA analysis.

Of the 675 budgets put before voters, 664 budgets passed - an approval rate of 98.4%. Eleven budgets were defeated.

On Board Online • June 29, 2020

By Kathleen Moore
Special Correspondent

Teachers of subjects such as art, music, technology and physical education had an especially difficult job during the school building shutdown from March 18 through the end of the school year in June.

For instance, videoconferencing is not appropriate for group singing or group musical performances.