Message from the Executive Director

December 5, 2021

Dear Members and Stakeholders,

NYSSBA's Board of Directors held their year-end meeting in-person this year at NYSSBA's headquarters in Latham. The president's gavel was transferred to newly-elected president Peggy Zugibe and the board's officers and directors took the oath of office. We are very grateful to out-going president Fred Langstaff for his service. You can read more about NYSSBA's Board of Directors here. I know you will be impressed by their experience and commitment to all of New York's students. I am very proud to work with this outstanding group of public education advocates. Their knowledge and insight are of great value to NYSSBA and its member districts.

During this month's meeting we explored ways in which NYSSBA can support local school boards in understanding their roles and responsibilities as it relates to curriculum approval as well as how to build strong board/superintendent relationships. The Board of Directors also approved NYSSBA's strategic goals for 2022. I will share more information with you about these topics in the coming weeks.


Weekly Updates and Reminders

New York State Center for School Safety (NYSCFSS)
The tragic shooting and loss of life at Oxford High School is a stark reminder that we can't let our guard down regarding school safety issues. NYSSBA's deputy executive director and general counsel Jay Worona and I serve on NYSED's Safe Schools Task Force through NYSCFSS. NYSCFSS, in cooperation and collaboration with the New York State Education Department/Office of Student Support Services, provides professional development and technical assistance to school and district administrators, staff, students, parents, community members and Boards of Cooperative Education.

I urge all of our stakeholders to access the NYSCFSS website to learn more about free trainings to assist in emergency planning, de-escalation strategies, measuring school climate, threat assessments, supportive environments, professional development and much more. The information provided on the site supports schools, families, and communities in their efforts to keep our students safe.

NYSSBA's 2022 Legislative and State Budget Preview Webinar
Thursday, December 9th
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Free for NYSSBA Members
Register here

The state Capitol has re-opened and New York State has a new Governor for the first time since 2010. I invite you to attend this free member webinar to hear NYSSBA's analysis of the current political environment and what it all might mean for education. NYSSBA staff will review NYSSBA's budget request and legislative priorities as well as provide insights about the upcoming legislative session. You can find NYSSBA's executive budget policy recommendations here and NYSSBA's executive budget fiscal recommendations here. Both of these documents were sent to the Governor's office.

Even if you can't attend the live webinar be sure to register for the event in order to receive the webinar recording link and related resources.

SAVE THE DATE: 2022 Capital Conference and Lobby Day
The 2022 Capital Conference will be held virtually on the morning of Wednesday, February 2nd. The conference will continue to include a review of the Executive Budget proposal, as well as sessions with state legislative and education leaders and other important advocacy-related information. This virtual conference will continue to be free for all members. In-person lobby day will be on Wednesday, February 9th. The 2022 Capital Conference is sponsored by Forecast5 Analytics.

NYSSBA's President's Gavel Podcast
Unfinished learning: Identifying the gap and setting students up for success
Concerns about learning loss are universal. In fact, more than half of public-school teachers report significant learning loss for students both academically and from a social and emotional standpoint.

During NYSSBA's virtual member event in October, Susanna Leob, Director at the Annenberg Institute at Brown University and Professor of Education and International & Public Affairs, spoke about the learning needs of students following the pandemic. In today's episode of the President's Gavel, NYSSBA's Leadership Development team continues the conversation with Susanna. This free member podcast is sponsored by Harris Beach, PLLC.

New York State Education Department
Proposed Federal Waiver for State Accountability Requirements and School Improvement Funding Now Available for Public Comment - "Public comments are now being accepted on a proposed waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) related to state accountability requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Title I School Improvement Funding." Public comments accepted through December 15.

Be well and stay in touch.

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