Message from the Executive Director
Aug. 2, 2026
Dear Members and Stakeholders,
I’m sure you’ll agree that it feels like the summer is just flying by – I certainly felt that way as I realized this would be my first message in August. Turning the page to August means that we are just a little more than a week away from opening the registration portal for the 2026 Annual Convention and Education Expo.
Whether you will be joining us in-person in Buffalo from Oct. 22-24 or virtually through the Annual Convention Digital Experience, this year’s schedule boasts powerful keynote and featured speakers who will deliver meaningful content that I know you’ll put to work at the board table. Our more than 100 sessions will cover topics you want to learn more about including NY Inspires and Portrait of a Graduate, artificial intelligence, preventing violence in the online era, workforce development, using Census data to guide decision making, and much more.
I’d like to remind you about our two keynote speakers - Steven Sharp Nelson and David Allison.
Steven’s career as "an award winning, Billboard chart-topping, YouTube rock star, but in a cellist sort of way" is just a piece of his story. His voracious appetite for learning and his ADHD, which he calls his "super power," propelled him through careers in venture capital, nonprofit management, creative writing, and more. His knack for powerful storytelling, comical vulnerability, musical analogies, and love for social psychology has made him a keynote favorite around the world.
A world-class storyteller, David has redefined how organizations solve problems and seize opportunities "by proving a fundamental truth: everything we do is driven by our values." Known as "The Values Guy," he is a leading authority on human values and the founder of the groundbreaking Valuegraphics Project, the first global inventory of core human values. He has transformed human values into actionable insights. You can get a preview of his presentation by joining us on Sept. 24 for his complimentary webinar.
We’re excited to bring Braindate to convention! Located on the Expo floor, Braindate will enable you to connect with your peers through one-on-one or small group conversations on the issues you care about. It’s a great opportunity to share ideas and solutions. You can learn more about how your peers are tackling challenges, ask them questions and contribute your thoughts. You might have a great program that you want to share with other public education leaders. This is the place to post your topic or join one that sparks your interest. We’ll be sharing more about this in the coming weeks.
There will be, of course, plenty of opportunities to casually network with your peers, learn about the latest solutions from our expo exhibitors, and connect with our association leaders and staff.
Our events team has worked with Visit Buffalo to build a robust, accessible network across the region that will provide rooms for everyone attending the convention. Buffalo’s unique market means attendees will be staying at nearly 20 different properties across the area with all of them being 20 minutes or less from the convention center.
Not to worry, though. Once you reach your hotel, you can leave the driving to us! NYSSBA will provide complimentary transportation from all official convention hotels to the convention center.
I encourage you to confirm your plans and make sure your district clerk knows that you want to attend the conference before registration opens on Aug. 11. I look forward to seeing you in Buffalo in October!
Department of Education rescinds disparate-impact rules under Title VI
On July 23, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) officially eliminated long-standing "disparate-impact" liability guidelines previously relied upon by school districts and others facing employment discrimination claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Earlier in June, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces federal antidiscrimination laws, had determined that the guidelines were unconstitutional because they allowed for liability based strictly on the disparate effects of an employer’s actions on protected groups, irrespective of the employer’s intent. Removal of the guidelines serve to carry out the current administration’s 2025 Executive Order 14281, which reinstated a prior reversal of the disparate impact liability rule during the first Trump administration, but revived under the Biden presidency.
However, New York’s Human Rights Law includes its own independent disparate impact liability framework, which was codified into law this past Dec. 19, 2025. I encourage you to attend NYSSBA’s Pre-Convention Law Conference on Oct. 22 to learn about the practical implications of these recent changes on school district governance and daily operations.
New member outreach begins
Our Member Relations team has contacted our more than 500 newly elected school board members from across the state to schedule their virtual orientation meeting. You’ll gain a better understanding of NYSSBA from this high-level overview of the membership benefits and services afforded to your school board and district. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and set up a direct line of communication with NYSSBA staff. These meetings help us to get to know our members better and learn how we can best support their school board service experience. I encourage all new school board members to book their virtual NYSSBA orientation meetings with Barry Entwistle or Patrick Longo.
Weekly Updates and Reminders
Register today: Live Virtual Superintendent Evaluation Workshop on Aug. 20 from 8 a.m.to noon. One of the core responsibilities of a school board is evaluating its superintendent. The evaluation is an opportunity to help your superintendent thrive in this critical leadership role, which leads to success for your students and district. The program will help you deliver an objective, evidence-based superintendent evaluation based on open communication, transparency and clear expectations. When done well, the superintendent evaluation fosters meaningful conversations and strengthens your relationship with your superintendent, giving your leadership team the foundation to overcome challenges as they arise.
From SED this week
The State Education Department shared the following this week:
- Revisions to section 135.4 of the Commissioner’s Regulations governing athletics become effective July 29, 2026. The revisions include that Director of School Health Services (a.k.a., medical director) approval for participation in athletics is no longer required (except for returning to play following concussion or sudden cardiac arrest). A student is required to have a health examination that states they can participate in athletics.
- Changes to the Athletic Placement Process are outlined in an FAQ available at Athletics | New York State Education Department.
- SED is opening a public comment opportunity focused on proposed amendments to sections 100.19 and 100.21 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. These proposed amendments to the accountability system are intended to strengthen the connection between identified needs, meaningful support, and continuous improvement. Comments on the proposed regulations can be emailed to REGCOMMENTS@nysed.gov and will be accepted through Monday, Sept. 28.
- The Office of Early Learning has released the 2026-2027 UPK Application webinar to assist districts in completing the 2026-2027 UPK Application. As a reminder, the 2026-2027 UPK Application is due Aug. 31, 2026.
Read the latest national association news
Here’s the latest from the National School Boards Association (NSBA):
As I wrap up this week, I wanted to share one final item from our Leadership in Education Event. I’m pleased to let you know that the leftover food from our event was donated to the South End Children’s Café in Albany.
Be well and stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Robert S. Schneider CPA, CAE
Executive Director
New York State School Boards Association