The New York State School Boards Association The New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) provides leadership and support through advocacy, information, programs and customized services that help member school boards make well-informed, timely, local decisions on behalf their students and school communities. See NYSSBA Membership brochure

NYSSBA helps school board members… Fully comprehend the purpose and function of a public school district and the governing role of the school board Make decisions that move the district forward Be clear in setting forth direction and establishing policy Act as a reliable information source between the community and school system Establish reasonable performance expectations and act with consistency Communicate responsibly about progress and results

NYSSBA’s Key Activities Elevate the voice of school boards “Visible, Vocal, Vigilant” Extensive media relations program Engage, convene and inform members and other stakeholders Workshops, retreats, networking events Leadership and relationship development Communicate and consult Tools, templates, resources, research and best practices Legal information and support Policy development and technical assistance

Purpose of public education NYSSBA supports state proposals affecting public education that: Provide access to programs that prepare students to be college-and-career-ready; Achieve equity and adequacy in funding; Promote efficiency and cost-effectiveness; Advance high expectations for all students; Embrace innovative approaches and assessments; Foster community engagement and regional cooperation. (2016) See NYSSBA Position Statements, 2017, p.5

Betsy DeVos Nomination See letter to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand plus survey summary handouts in packet

Parents' right to refuse NYS assessments NYSSBA supports legislation that ensures aid provided to districts is not correlated to the percentage of students taking state or federally required tests, recognizing parents will make decisions in the best interest of their individual children, independent of Districts’ overall requirements. (2016) See NYSSBA Position Statements, 2017, p.3

See NYSSBA Position Statements, 2017, p.1 Parent Trigger Law    NYSSBA opposes legislation that would enable parents to convert a failing public school into a charter school by way of a “parent trigger” law. (2012) See NYSSBA Position Statements, 2017, p.1

See NYSSBA Position Statements, 2017, p.8 3020-a reforms The governor and state Legislature should reform the system of teacher discipline in a manner that:  Establishes a state hearing panel to hear and decide 3020-a cases; Authorizes school districts to terminate a tenured teacher without a 3020-a hearing if: i. They have been convicted of child abuse in an educational setting, or ii. Their teaching certificate has been revoked by the State Education Department, or iii. They have failed to obtain permanent certification in the requisite time period. Clarifies that teachers must cooperate in the school district investigation of 3020-a charges against them; Eliminates paid suspension for teachers awaiting 3020-a proceedings, or caps the length of time they are paid; and Requires teachers facing 3020-a hearings to disclose the nature of their defense prior to the hearing. (2012) See NYSSBA Position Statements, 2017, p.8

Triborough Amendment reforms  School districts should not be required to pay increments on expired employee contract salary schedules as currently stipulated under the Triborough Amendment to the Taylor Law. (2012) See NYSSBA Position Statements, 2017, p.8  

Teacher certification process reforms   NYSSBA supports changes in certification examinations for teachers in New York State to align with the Common Core Learning Standards. (2014) See NYSSBA Position Statements, 2017, p.5 The state process for revoking teacher certification should be strengthened in order to diminish the need for local school district teacher disciplinary hearings. (2012) See NYSSBA Position Statements, 2017, p.8

Consideration of educators' input  NYSSBA shall advocate for an overhaul of the current, inadequate testing system to more accurately measure achievement in skills, knowledge and abilities, and it shall do this by:  Working collaboratively with the New York State Board of Regents and the New York State Department of Education, superintendents, administrators and teachers to create tests that are developmentally appropriate, of reasonable length and frequency, and which avoid the unintended consequences of narrowing the curriculum, teaching to the test, reducing love of learning, and undermining school climate;    Insisting that educators throughout the State be included in all aspects of the creation of standardized tests; and  Demanding that district personnel be permitted to examine test results, answer keys, and their students’ responses so that educators can better assess what each child is learning in relation to what is being taught and so that such tests can truly inform instruction. (2015) See NYSSBA Position Statements, 2017, p.5

NYS Constitutional Convention NYSSBA will advocate for and support holding a statewide referendum on or before 2017 to convene a New York State constitutional convention. (2012) See NYSSBA Position Statements, 2017, p.9

See NYSSBA 2017 budget handout in packet

Proposed 2016 Bylaw Amendments . PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT A - ARTICLE 6 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS Submitted by the NYSSBA Board of Directors RESOLVED, that Article 6 of the bylaws of the New York State School Boards Association shall be amended to expand membership on the Board of Directors to include a director from the New York State Caucus of Black School Board Members. Motion failed 153 yes; 89 no (2/3 or 160 yes votes needed for approval of bylaw amendments)

Proposed 2016 Bylaw Amendments PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT C - ARTICLE 9 – COMMITTEES Submitted by the NYSSBA Board of Directors RESOLVED, that Article 9 of the bylaws of the New York State School Boards Association 1 (“Association”) shall be amended to change the date for the election of additional members to the 2 Executive Committee and provide that the Association will annually set a due date for proposed 3 resolutions and bylaw amendments. Motion approved

Proposed 2016 Bylaw Amendments PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT D - ARTICLE 17 – AMENDMENT AND SUSPENSION Submitted by the NYSSBA Board of Directors RESOLVED, that Article 17 of the bylaws of the New York State School Boards Association (“Association”) shall be amended to provide that the Association will annually set a due date for proposed bylaw amendments. Motion approved

Legislative accomplishments Handouts in packet: 2016 End of Session Analysis Report to the Delegates, 2016 and 2015 2015 Annual Report