Preparing students to be active participants in our democracy has a positive impact on school climate and student achievement. What’s your civic readiness score?

Sexual harassment is against the law. Is your district in compliance with the new sexual harassment prevention laws? All New York State Employers, public and private, must adopt an updated minimum-standard sexual harassment prevention policy by October 9, 2018.

Is your school district fiscally equitable in the distribution of funds? The first of two new annual reporting requirements, the School Funding Transparency Report, delves into building level, per pupil budget allocations. All school board members should become familiar with the report guidance and the relationship between budget development, resource equity, and student outcomes.

Promoting healthy and positive school climates becomes a statewide initiative during the 2018-2019 school year. We’ve all heard about “school climate” and most of us can talk about it in general terms. We agree that a healthy school climate is a good thing. But, what exactly does school climate mean and, more importantly, what can boards and districts do to measure, manage and improve school climate?

You may be surprised that high performing school boards have a lot in common with successful rock and roll bands. Both require a commitment to teamwork, outstanding stakeholder communications, and strong interpersonal relationships. Find out if your board R.O.C.K.s.

School districts across the state are preparing for the July 2018 implementation of the new mental health education curriculum. School boards have an important role in the process.

School Board election season is the backdrop for May’s Next on the Agenda, Understanding the Basics. Executive Director Tim Kremer reminds boards not to forget the basics as they are welcoming new board members and preparing for the annual organizational meeting and summer trainings.

Tim Kremer encourages board members to participate in open-minded discussions about emerging safety issues while they are conducting the annual review and update of the District-wide School Safety Plan and the Building-level Emergency Response Plans.

Take a look at the proliferation of smartphones in the K-12 classroom, both as a learning and communication tool, along with the associated risks and opportunities.