Message from the Executive Director
Jan 11, 2026
Dear Members and Stakeholders,
I hope everyone’s first week of students returning to school and getting back to normal routines after the holidays is going well.
We’ve hit the ground running here at NYSSBA and are looking forward to the work ahead in supporting our school board members and public education. One of the first milestones of the new year is the start of the 2026 state legislative session, which took place on Wednesday. While our Governmental Relations team is always working on public education issues, this marks the start of our efforts to advance our 2026 Legislative Priorities as set forth by the membership.
Up next will be Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address on January 13, which will give us greater insight into your priorities for 2026. The governor previewed some of her proposals last week including her plans to expand universal prekindergarten opportunities across the state with a goal of making pre-K "truly universal statewide" by the 2028-29 school year. The announcement, which covered a variety of childcare and early childhood education issues, included her plans to propose the creation of a new state Office of Child Care and Early Education to support her proposals.
As a school board member, you play an important role in our advocacy efforts, and I encourage you to become familiar with our 2026-27 executive budget recommendations, which are divided between those with a policy focus and those with a fiscal focus. We continue to have conversations with elected officials and staff about including these recommendations in the 2026-27 state budget. Our 2026 Position Statements booklet will provide you with NYSSBA’s official positions on key education issues.
Two upcoming events will help you prepare to be an advocate on our key issues and then deliver the message to your representatives. I hope you will join us for the Virtual Capital Conference, sponsored by Utica National Insurance Group, on Friday, Feb. 6, and our in-person Lobby Day in Albany will be on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
NSBA Advocacy Institute set for Feb. 1; 4 prep webinars underway
Your voice matters on the federal level, too, and the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) Advocacy Institute in Washington, D.C. from Feb. 1 to 3 includes a Hill Day meeting with lawmakers. Several members of the NYSSBA Governmental Relations Department will be on hand attending sessions, and we will be scheduling meetings with members of the New York Congressional Delegation. Learn how you can join the NYSSBA team for this event.
NYSSBA Past President and Area 5 Director Bill Miller will be presenting during tomorrow’s NSBA webinar designed to equip school members with the skills, confidence, and tools needed to advocate effectively in Washington D.C. He will be sharing with attendees the value of telling your own district’s story when discussing issues with your elected representatives, and how to effectively communicate those stories.
NSBA urges members to contact their Congressional members before the federal budget deadline
Congress must act to pass a federal budget and avert further uncertainty for public schools nationwide by the January 30 deadline. NSBA has provided advocacy emails for school board members and education leaders to send immediately to their members of Congress. These messages press lawmakers to protect critical education funding, uphold local control, and prevent harmful disruptions to students, educators, and communities that depend on stable and predictable federal support. I encourage you to participate in this call to action using the letters below:
- Fully Fund and Modernize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- Expanding, Strengthening, and Retaining the Educator Workforce
- Strengthening Investments in ESEA Title I and Career & Technical Education (CTE)
- Promoting Digital Access, Digital Literacy, and Cybersecurity
- Prioritizing Student Health, Wellness, and Safety
- Opposing School Vouchers in All Their Forms
On Board’s Jan. 12 issue now available
The January 12 edition of On Board offers readers the opportunity to learn why many people in public education are reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, find out more about the SED Center for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia, and read about NYSSBA President Christine Schnars outlook as she takes office. The issue also features articles about SED’s statewide longitudinal data system, a career planning tool for students and how board retreats can help boards achieve their goals.
COSSBA National Conference early-bird registration ends tomorrow
If you are planning to attend the COSSBA 2026 National Conference, set for March 13-15 in Louisville, KY, you can register at the discounted early-bird rate through tomorrow, January 12. Attendees will engage in more than 90 concurrent sessions, hear from keynote speaker Phylicia Rashad and additional featured speakers, explore an active Exhibitor Showcase, and enjoy student performances and an evening reception celebrating Louisville. The full schedule is available here. In conjunction with this event, there will be a Unified Boards Alliance pre-conference day on March 12.
New York State issues updated guidance on safeguarding the rights of immigrant students
The New York State Office of the Attorney General (OAG), New York State Education Department (SED), and the Governor’s Office have updated joint guidance to reaffirm school districts’ obligations under state and federal law and to support schools as a safe haven where all students are welcomed and provided a free public education.
The guidance addresses:
- Enrollment and registration requirements.
- Collecting student information and accessing student records (FERPA).
- Law enforcement detention, interrogation, or removal of students from school property (including on school transportation).
- Bullying and harassment.
- Supporting students whose family members may be detained or deported.
It also offers an appendix of resources.
Weekly updates and reminders
The Board of Regents has adopted regulatory changes that allow for the temporary suspension of educators who become subject to a lack of good moral character referral based on alleged violations of student-staff relationship boundaries. Find out about the ground rules applicable to interactions with students in such instances. Hear about investigative practices school districts should follow when faced with such allegations. Attend this webinar to learn more about the legal requirements, practical considerations and processes involved.
Board of Regents meets Monday
The next meeting of the Board of Regents will be tomorrow, January 12, starting at 10:45 a.m. The link to the webcast will be available 30 minutes before the start of the meeting.
School Mental Health Resource and Training Center offering January webinars
The School Mental Health Resource and Training Center (SMHRTCenter) is offering two January webinars: "School Mental Health & Resilience: An Action Guide" on Jan. 21 and "Supporting School Mental Health in 2026: A Conversation with SMHRT Center’s New Director" on Jan. 29. Learn more and register.
As I close this week, I’d like to encourage NYSSBA’s newest members to be on the lookout for an email from me with a survey about our AccelerateSM program. Please take the few moments needed to share your thoughts with us about this new program when you receive the link.
Be well and stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Robert S. Schneider CPA, CAE
Executive Director
New York State School Boards Association