State lawmakers took a number of significant steps during this legislative session to protect the health and safety of our students and to provide local school districts with new tools and flexibility to enhance educational programs.

At the same time, we also must note that some legislative actions taken this year are likely to impose new costs and unnecessary mandates on local school districts.

June 21, 2019

Earlier today, the Senate (around 1:00 am) followed by the Assembly (just after 7:00 am) completed their work for the 2019 regular legislative session.

Despite concerns about what this session would look like, overall this was a pretty good year for school districts.  After a series of priority accomplishments being included in the budget, including the increase in the BOCES DS salary cap and authorization to establish TRS reserves, the session ended with a number of positive developments for schools.

June 20, 2019

Both the Senate and Assembly released their respective houses' Bullet Aid allocations for school districts, libraries and non-profits.

These allocations are not based on state aid formulas, but rather, are negotiated by individual legislators and legislative leadership. Not all school districts receive Bullet Aid. This year, a pot of money was also set aside specific to fund school-based health centers.

The district-specific allocations can be viewed below.

Senate 2019-20 Bullet Aid

Assembly 2019-20 Bullet Aid

Assembly Bullet Aid for School Based Health Centers

Timothy G. Kremer, Executive Director, New York State School Boards Association
Charles S. Dedrick, Ed.D., Executive Director, New York State Council of School Superintendents

Before state lawmakers leave Albany, it is imperative that they restore an important protection for school districts that was omitted from a new law providing paid time off for employees to vote.

The law, which was passed as a part of the state budget this spring, extends the paid time off employers must provide for voting to three hours, an increase from the previous two-hour maximum.

June 17, 2019

Legislation supported by NYSSBA passed both houses of the legislature and was signed by the Governor that eliminates religious exemptions from having required vaccinations as a condition of attending school.  This new law took effect upon the Governor's signature.

The Governor's office is working with the State Education Department and the State Health Department to provide expedited guidance to school districts as quickly as possible. However, the Governor's office, in consultation with the Health Department, has offered assurances that students with existing exemptions will be able to finish out the school year and complete their Regents exams. NYSSBA Governmental Relations will share further guidance as soon as it is available.

• NYSSBA Memo of Support S.2994 (Hoylman)/ A.2371 (Dinowitz)

June 10, 2019

We are now down to 7 scheduled session days in the 2019 Legislative Session. Three key bills are listed below which need your immediate attention! Please consider reaching out to your elected officials and weighing in on these proposals and let NYSSBA Governmental Relations know about your conversations. If you need assistance identifying your state legislators, please contact Belinda Heckler, Governmental Relations Representative and Grassroots Advocacy Manager at 518-783-3742 or belinda.heckler@nyssba.org.

Assembly Operator: 518-455-4100

Senate Operator: 518-455-2800

On Board Online • June 10, 2019

By Mareesa Nicosia
Special Correspondent

A parent requests that a child be assigned to a specific elementary classroom. Another wants a student to receive extra time on an exam for a dubious reason. A third contacts a mental health professional, insisting a child needs to be medicated to properly function in school.

All are examples of "snowplow parenting" in New York schools, according to On Board interviews with educators. While "helicopter parents" are known for over-involving themselves in their children's lives, often out of fear and anxiety, snowplow parents are pushier in their interactions with teachers and school administrators.

On Board Online • June 10, 2019

By Eric D. Randall
Editor-in-Chief

After a court ruling that halted a state plan for inspections of private and religious schools, the State Education Department plans to go through a months-long rulemaking process.

The process will allow school officials and members of the public to make comments on draft regulations before the Board of Regents votes on a final version of the plan.

On Board Online • June 10, 2019

Timothy G. Kremer
NYSSBA Executive Director

It's June, which means it is high school graduation time! Sadly, advice to graduates is usually trite, such as "Your life is really just beginning, and the best days are to come."

But nobody really wants profundity, either. Art Buchwald said it best, "I could have said something profound, but you would have forgotten it in 15 minutes - which is the afterlife of a graduation speech."

My advice to graduates would be straightforward: Be open to an unexpected opportunity, follow your instincts, take your time to explore what you really want to do, and ask a lot of questions. And I'm sure everyone would forget it in 15 minutes.

To be memorable, a speaker has to say something quirky, like "Lower your expectations."