Message from the Executive Director

April 19, 2026

Dear Members and Stakeholders,

On Thursday, the state Legislature passed a fourth budget extender to fund the state through tomorrow (April 20). There has been little information about progress on the remaining budget issues, but thankfully education funding does not appear to be a sticking point this year.

We know the ongoing budget impasse creates challenges for our members and their districts as you must move forward in constructing your next budget by late April without state funding clarity. Educational Conference Board (ECB) sent a memo to the governor and Legislature detailing the challenges and negative impacts associated with a continued late state budget. We stressed that there are "fundamental problems posed by uncertain and untimely state revenue information that is necessary" for districts to meet their "legally mandated budget deadlines, which can lead to unnecessarily adverse decisions on district programs and spending levels." The ECB is comprised of NYASBO, the Conference of Big 5 School Districts, NYSCOSS, NYSPTA, NYSUT, SAANYS and NYSSBA.

Earlier in the week, NYSSBA joined its statewide partners in education to release a joint memo addressing the proposed expansion of universal prekindergarten. It expressed our support for the executive budget proposal to expand and streamline universal prekindergarten funding, while asking for adjustments enabling districts to more effectively and efficiently operate such programs. These included making prekindergarten transportation aidable, expanding building aid eligibility for prekindergarten classrooms and ensuring that "grow your own" teaching programs and other workforce development efforts include the early education workforce. We have previously released memos outlining our positions on Foundation Aid, special education funding, prior year aid claims and the zero-emission school bus transition mandate.

Until we have a final budget, you can still Take Action to support budget priority advocacy by sending letters to your representatives and the governor. NYSSBA will continue to provide budget updates as they are available.

‘See something, say something’ heads off potential school shooting

Thanks to a concerned parent’s call to local law enforcement, we are not collectively mourning the loss of student lives this week. The parent saw a disturbing Snapchat post and made the call to law enforcement, which then discovered three teenagers were planning to shoot students in the Clinton Middle School cafeteria on Friday. Oneida County law enforcement officials said the teens "had a definite plan and the means to carry it out, given the firearms confiscated from one of their homes." The teens – ages 14 and 13 - were arrested and charged.

This is a prime example of everything going right to head off a tragedy. It illustrates the importance of parents and others calling out anything that seems "off," so that it can be investigated by the school and/or law enforcement. In this case, if the parent had just brushed off the Snapchat post, lives could have been lost.

It’s a stark reminder that everyone in the school community plays a role in keeping our students safe – students, parents, teachers, administrators, board members and law enforcement. I hope that many of you will find a way to use this incident as springboard for reminding your school community members of the important role they play, and that it’s better to say something when you see something, rather than wishing you had after an incident.

I’d like to also take the opportunity to remind you about some of the resources available as you address school safety:

SED issues warning after phishing incident

SED emailed this field this week with a warning about a phishing email that appeared to be sent from a known SED user. "Many Local Education Agencies’ (LEA) Administrators and/or staff have received a phishing email from a known NYSED user with the subject line ‘New York State Education Department.’ The email may request that you click a link that then prompts you to enter your NYSED credentials. This is a good reminder to be wary of unsolicited emails – even official looking ones – asking you to click on a link.

SED distributes information about the Naviance class action settlement

The SED Privacy Office sent information to the field this week related to the Naviance class action settlement, Q.J. v. PowerSchool Holdings LLC, et al., in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and related notices being received by some students and parents in New York State.    

According to SED, the settlement stems from a class action lawsuit filed against Naviance, a college and career readiness platform, and its parent company, PowerSchool, former parent company Hobsons, data analytics company Heap, and the Chicago Public Schools.  It settles allegations that the Naviance platform intercepted confidential student communications using third party analytics and advertising tools and appears unrelated to any PowerSchool or Naviance breach that has been reported to SED.  Naviance, PowerSchool, and the other defendants have denied they violated any laws and have admitted no wrongdoing. 

Per 8 NYCRR 121.10(d)-(e), educational agencies are obligated to file a data incident report and notify individuals upon discovering a breach or unauthorized release of student data.  SED lacks sufficient information to advise whether reports and notifications are required at this time, but an educational agency may make its own determination to report and notify.  Information about data incident reporting requirements can be found here.

The SED Privacy Office is gathering further information based on student data privacy issues presented.

2026 Resolutions Kit available

The NYSSBA Resolutions Kit was distributed on Monday and the submissions window is open through Friday, July 17, at 5 p.m. The kit includes the results of the resolutions survey, a list of sunsetting position statements and detailed information related to submission of proposed resolutions and bylaw amendments. The Annual Business Meeting is set for Thursday, Oct. 15, and district clerks will receive information for registering delegates in August.   

Weekly updates and reminders

NSBA Policy Hour webinar to focus on educator shortages

Federal, state and local policies will play a key role in efforts to expand, strengthen and retain a diverse, high quality educator workforce. NSBA’s next Policy Hour webinar on April 28 at 2 p.m. will explore the root causes of educator shortages and discuss how federal policy can serve as a catalyst by supporting recruitment, preparation and retention, while reinforcing the critical role of state systems and local governance in implementation. You can register here.

Don’t miss: President’s Gavel podcast discussion about the student board member’s role

"A Seat at the Table: The Role of the Ex Officio Student Board Member" shares with listeners how one ex officio student board member turned curiosity about his district into meaningful advocacy by shaping decisions, strengthening connections and proving that the student voice can truly make an impact. Host Darci D’Ercole, NYSSBA’s chief governance and leadership development officers, discusses board service with Matthew Wohlstadter, an ex officio student board member and peer leader at the Chappaqua Central School District.

Register today: Policy Issues Workshop: Keeping up with Artificial Intelligence, May 6 at 9 a.m.

As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves, board policies and district operations need to keep up. Attend this live virtual policy workshop to understand where things are, how recent changes relate to schools and how best to respond to the constant changes through board policy and district operations. The cost is $140 for NYSSBA members. Thank you to our sponsor, LEGO Education.

Register now: Leadership in Education Event, July 24-25, at the Crown Plaza Albany

Registration is open for the fifth annual Leadership in Education Event, our premier summer learning experience. The highly interactive learning opportunities will provide you with an in-depth look at some of the most pressing topics facing your district including artificial intelligence, student wellbeing in a digital world, community engagement, Portrait of a Graduate and cybersecurity. There will be a session on the Dignity Index and an SED panel discussion as well as opportunities to network. Plan now to come in a day early (July 23) for our exceptional Summer Law Conference. Watch for more information and registration for this key event.

From SED this week

SED has shared the following information in its weekly update:

  • A Performance-Based Learning and Assessment in Middle & High School Webinar is set for April 30. The hybrid webinar will focus on approaches to performance-based learning and assessment, in support of local implementation of NY Inspires and New York State’s Educational Assessment Strategy in middle and high school. The primary audience is New York State administrators and school leaders. To attend this event, you must attend in person at a BOCES or Big 5 designated site.  
  • The New York State  Portrait of a Graduate & Inquiry-Based Learning in PreK–Grade 5 hybrid webinar recording is now available. 
  • The New York State School Environmental Health program webinar on Promoting Healthy School Environments set for April 29 at 11 a.m. will focus on the role school facilities play in supporting children’s health and well-being. Register here.

NSBA Connector

Click here to read this week’s NSBA Connector. COSSBA’s weekly Education Report will resume next week.

In closing this week, please join me in congratulating NYSSBA’s Chief Advocacy Officer Brian Fessler for his inclusion in the City and State NY’s Who’s Who in Government Relations, which recognizes "influential individuals helping their companies, organizations and associations communicate their legislative priorities to elected officials at all levels." NYSBBA and the public education community are fortunate to have Brian as an advocate.

Be well and stay in touch.

Sincerely,

Robert S. Schneider CPA, CAE
Executive Director
New York State School Boards Association

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