January 9, 2020

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo delivered his 2020 State of the State address. NYSSBA was in attendance to hear the dozens of ideas and initiatives the Governor plans on advancing in the new year. The speech followed an extended roll-out of proposals from the Governor over the past few weeks.

December 13, 2019

On Monday, the Board of Regents released their 2020-21 School Aid proposal. The Regents recommended a school aid increase of $2.0 billion, or 7%, over current year funding levels.

• $1.9 billion in Foundation Aid increases
• $82 million in statutory reimbursement-based aid increases
• $26 million for prekindergarten expansion and inclusion pilot
• The proposal would also put the state on a committed path to fully phasing-in the Foundation Aid formula over a three year period

November 12, 2019

The past couple weeks have seen multiple pieces of NYSSBA supported legislation signed into law by the Governor.

In late October, S.3972 (Harckham)/A.218 (Paulin) became Chapter 421 of the Laws of 2019.

October 29, 2019

Delegates at the 2019 Annual Business Meeting engaged in significant debate on a number of issues. This year, the delegates were presented twenty- six resolutions and one bylaw amendment. Of those, 21 resolutions and one bylaw amendment nineteen were adopted; and one resolutions was tabled for consideration next year. In addition the delegates elected NYSSBA officers for 2020.

October 10, 2019

DOH and SED Issue Additional FAQ Guidance on Student Immunizations

The State Department of Health and the State Education Department have jointly issued an additional 'Frequently Asked Questions' (FAQ) on student immunizations. The document answers recent questions on the 14 day vaccine requirement.

September 27, 2019

NYSSBA Annual Business Meeting
Saturday, October 26^th - 8:00 am
Convention Center, Grand Lilac Ballroom, 1^st Floor Ballroom

Below you will find a link to the 2019 Voting Delegates' Guide for the Annual Business Meeting. This guide contains the report of the Resolutions Committee as well as amendments and rebuttals received by the September 20 deadline.

• 2019 Voting Delegates' Guide

September 25, 2019

Senate to Hold Meetings on Foundation Aid

The Senate Majority has announced that the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Committee on Budget and Revenues will hold a series of roundtables and a public hearing on Foundation Aid. Specifically, these events are to hear from stakeholders regarding the factors used to calculate and distribute Foundation Aid. Senator Shelley Mayer, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, will lead these hearings in partnership with Senator Brian Benjamin, Chair of the Senate Committee on Budget and Revenues.

September 18, 2019

Yesterday, the New York State Senate held a public hearing on broadband access in NYS. NYSSBA provided testimony at this well attended hearing, focusing on the importance of improved broadband access to support education, especially in underserved rural areas. NYSSBA's testimony can be accessed at the link below:

• NYSSBA Rural Broadband Access Testimony

August 28, 2019

Below is the link to the 2019 Proposed Bylaw Amendments & Resolutions Book.

• 2019 Proposed Bylaw Amendments and Resolutions

This book contains information needed to prepare for the 2019 Annual Business Meeting, including:

• The Order of Business
• The Report of the Resolutions Committee
• Rules of Conduct for the Business Meeting
• Instructions for the Submission of Amendments, Rebuttals and Statements of Support

August 20, 2019

Last week, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) released emergency regulations intended to strengthen the approval process for issuing medical exemptions for immunizations required to attend school. These regulations provide specific, evidence based guidance and required that a form outlining the specific medical reasons for the exemption be filled out and submitted to DOH annually.

In addition, the DOH, along with the State Education Department (SED) and Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), have issued a third frequently asked question (FAQ) document with information on immunizations for students with disabilities, home schooled students and applicability for pre-school students.