2025-proposed-resolutions-booklet-09052025.pdf

2025 PROPOSED

Bylaw Amendments & Resolutions

INTRODUCTION The proposals contained within this booklet have been submitted by member boards or the NYSSBA Board of Directors for consideration during the 2025 Annual Business Meeting. They do not represent official positions of NYSSBA, unless and until they are adopted by voting delegates during the 2025 Annual Business Meeting. Proposals advanced by the NYSSBA Board of Directors do not represent positions of the Board, nor should their advancement be considered endorsement by the NYSSBA Board. Proposals advanced by the Board of Directors are done so because the Board of Directors has identified an issue, generally by way of a resolutions survey sent to all members, on which they seek the membership’s input. The proposals are organized by proposed bylaw amendments, then sunsetting positions recommended for re-adoption by the Resolutions Committee, followed by new resolutions recommended by the Resolutions Committee and last by resolutions not recommended by the Resolutions Committee. Proposals in each of the four groups are listed in the order in which they were received by the NYSSBA Governmental Relations Department. No individual board, including the NYSSBA Board of Directors, can adopt a formal position statement or change the Association bylaws. Only by way of a vote of the delegates at the Annual Business Meeting can the Association adopt a formal position statement or change the bylaws. To view NYSSBA’s current position statements, please see the link below. NYSSBA 2025 Position Statements

TO:

School Board Members and Chief School Administrators

FROM:

Sarah Carrier, Resolutions Committee Chair

DATE:

September 8, 2025

On August 19, 2025, the Resolutions Committee met virtually to discuss the proposed bylaw amendments and resolutions that were received by the July 18, 2025 deadline. In this book, you will find details regarding the Resolutions Committee’s votes to recommend or not recommend the proposals. At the direction of our Board of Directors, the DEI committee provided its comments on the proposals from a lens of equity. Their comments in the categories of affirm, oppose or neutral were considered by the Resolutions Committee in making their assessments. The comments of the DEI Committee have been included as well. All proposals contained in this book will be considered for a vote at 4:00 pm on October 16, 2025, during the New York State School Boards Association’s Annual Business Meeting. Each NYSSBA member board is eligible to appoint one member to participate in the business meeting and vote on their behalf. Within this booklet you will find the following information: • • • • • • • •

NYSSBA Board of Directors Resolutions Committee Members Listing of Proposed Bylaw Amendments and Resolutions Proposed Bylaw Amendments Proposed Resolutions Recommended for Adoption Proposed Resolutions Not Recommended for Adoption Information on Amendments, Rebuttals and Endorsements Information for the Voting Delegates

All member boards wishing to suggest amendments to the submitted resolutions, offer rebuttals to the not recommended resolutions or offer endorsements of proposed resolutions in time for inclusion in the Voting Delegates’ Guide must do so by 5:00 pm on September 19, 2025. Such actions must be submitted via email to advocacy@nyssba.org. Amendments to be eligible for consideration during the Annual Business Meeting must be received by NYSSBA by 5:00 pm on October 14, 2025.

3

NYSSBA Board of Directors President .................................................................................................................... Sandra H. Ruffo 1st Vice President/Area 3 ....................................................................................... Christine Schnars 2nd Vice President/Area 2 ...................................................................................... Rodney George Treasurer .................................................................................................................... Thomas J. Nespeca Immediate Past President ........................................................................................ Peggy Zugibe Area 1 ......................................................................................................................... David Lowrey Area 4 ......................................................................................................................... Peter Nowacki Area 5/ Northeast Region Director, NSBA ......................................................... William L. Miller Area 6 ......................................................................................................................... Wayne Rogers Area 7 ......................................................................................................................... Catherine Lewis Area 8 ......................................................................................................................... Brian LaTourette Area 9 ......................................................................................................................... John Williams Area 10 ....................................................................................................................... Sheryl Brady Area 11 ....................................................................................................................... Charmise Desire Area 12 ....................................................................................................................... Catherine M. Romano Area 13 ....................................................................................................................... Melissa Aviles-Ramos Represented by Sharon Rencher Director, Big 5 School Districts ............................................................................. Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio Director, Caucus of Black School Board Members ............................................ Robin Bolling

4

Resolutions Committee Members Area

Name

School District/ Organization Name

1

Leslie Tobin

Lockport City

2

Roger Kostecky

Genesee Valley BOCES

3

Anita Ray

Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES

4

Randal Kerr

Newark Valley

5

Jennifer Jones

Hamilton

6

Ed Marin

Champlain Valley Educational Services

7

Sridar Chittur

Albany City

8

Doris E. Warner

Margaretville

9

Robin White

Washingtonville

10

Sarah Carrier (Chair)

Croton-Harmon

11

Jeanne D’Esposito

Malverne

12

Dawn Sharrock

Middle Country

13

William Manekas

NYCDOE

Big 5

Lawrence Scott

Buffalo

Caucus of Black School Board Members

Floyd Ewing

Westbury

Board Liaison:

Sandra Ruffo

Broome-Tioga BOCES

NYSSBA Staff Name

Title

Email

Robert Schneider

Executive Director

bob.schneider@nyssba.org

Brian C. Fessler

Chief Advocacy Officer and Staff Liaison

brian.fessler@nyssba.org

Caroline L. Bobick

Deputy Director of Governmental and External Relations

caroline.bobick@nyssba.org

John S. Daley

Senior Governmental Relations Representative john.daley@nyssba.org

Matt J. DeLaus

Governmental Relations Counsel

matt.delaus@nyssba.org

Danielle E. Grasso

Grassroots Advocacy Manager and Governmental Relations Coordinator

danielle.grasso@nyssba.org

Jay Worona

NYSSBA Consultant/Parliamentarian 5

PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENTS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION BY THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT 1 Submitted by Sullivan West, Hicksville, Massapequa, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, and Plainedge School Boards (6/9/25) .......................................................................................................................... Page 11 PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT 2 Submitted by: Massapequa, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville, Locust Valley, Mohonasen, Plainedge, and Sullivan West School Boards (7/15/25) ................................................................................................................ Page 12 PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT 3 Submitted by: Locust Valley School Board (7/17/25) ........................................................................................ Page 13

6

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE FOR ADOPTION PROPOSED RESOLUTION 1 – SUNSETTING Submitted by: New York State School Boards Association Board of Directors (6/14/25) .................................... Page 14 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 2 – SUNSETTING Submitted by: New York State School Boards Association Board of Directors (6/14/25) .................................... Page 14 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 3 – SUNSETTING Submitted by: New York State School Boards Association Board of Directors (6/14/25) .................................... Page 15 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 4 – SUNSETTING Submitted by: Peru School Board (6/23/25)........................................................................................................ Page 15 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 5 – SUNSETTING Submitted by: Peru School Board (6/23/25)........................................................................................................ Page 16 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 6 – SUNSETTING Submitted by: Peru and Albany School Boards (6/23/25) ................................................................................... Page 16 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 7 – SUNSETTING Submitted by: Albany School Board (7/16/25) ................................................................................................... Page 16 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 8 Submitted by: Binghamton School Board (4/11/25) ............................................................................................

Page 17

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 9 Submitted by: Roxbury School Board (6/9/25) .................................................................................................. Page 17 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 10 Submitted by: Port Washington and Peru School Boards (6/11/25) ................................................................... Page 18 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 11 Submitted by: New York State School Boards Association Board of Directors (6/14/25) ................................... Page 19 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 12 Submitted by: New York State School Boards Association Board of Directors (6/14/25) ................................... Page 19 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 13 Submitted by: Sullivan West, Carle Place, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville, Locust Valley, Massapequa, Mohonasen, Oyster Bay- East Norwich, and Plainedge School Boards (6/23/25) ................................................... Page 20 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 14 Submitted by: Sullivan West, Carle Place, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville, Locust Valley, Massapequa, Mohonasen, Plainedge, and Patchogue-Medford School Boards (6/23/25) ............................................................... Page 20 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 15 Submitted by: Sullivan West, Carle Place, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville, Locust Valley, Massapequa, Mohonasen, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, and Plainedge School Boards (6/23/25) .................................................... Page 21 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 16 Submitted by: Orchard Park School Board (7/8/25) .......................................................................................... Page 21

7

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 17 Submitted by: Onteora School Board (7/9/25)..................................................................................................... Page 22 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 18 Submitted by: Onteora School Board (7/9/25) ................................................................................................... Page 22 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 19 Submitted by: Cold Spring Harbor, Bay Shore, Herricks, Middle Country, and Port Jefferson School Boards (7/14/25) .................................................................................................................. Page 23 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 20 Submitted by: Baldwinsville School Board (7/15/25) .......................................................................................... Page 23 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 21 Submitted by: Nassau BOCES Board (7/15/25) ............................................................................................. Page 24 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 22 Submitted by: Albany School Board (7/16/25) .................................................................................................. Page 24 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 23 Submitted by: Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Board (7/17/25) ..................................................................... Page 25

8

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE FOR ADOPTION PROPOSED RESOLUTION 24 Submitted by: Otsego Northern Catskills BOCES Board (5/20/25) ............................................................... Page 27 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 25 Submitted by: Plattsburgh School Board (5/21/25) ......................................................................................... Page 27 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 26 Submitted by: Sullivan West, Carle Place, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville, Locust Valley, Massapequa, Mohonasen, and Plainedge School Boards (6/23/25) .......................................................................................... Page 28 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 27 Submitted by: Newark School Board (7/1/25) ................................................................................................ Page 29 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 28 Submitted by: Massapequa, Carle Place, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville, Locust Valley, Mohonasen, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Plainedge, and Sullivan West School Boards (7/1/25) .............................................. Page 29 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 29 Submitted by: Massapequa, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville, Mohonasen, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Plainedge, and Sullivan West School Boards (7/1/25) ........................................................................................ Page 30 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 30 Submitted by: Hewlett-Woodmere School Board (7/3/25) ................................................................................ Page 30 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 31 Submitted by: Hewlett-Woodmere School Board (7/3/25 .................................................................................. Page 31 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 32 Submitted by: Hicksville, East Rockaway, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Mohonasen, and Plainedge School Boards (7/3/25) ....................................................................................................................... Page 31 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 33 Submitted by: Hicksville, Carle Place, Cold Spring Harbor, Locust Valley, Massapequa, Mohonasen, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, and Plainedge School Boards (7/3/25) ...................................................................... Page 32 PROPOSED RESOLUTION 34 Submitted by: Patchogue-Medford School Board (7/8/25) ................................................................................ Page 32

9

PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENTS NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE Note: Language struck out (----------) and shaded represents proposed deletions to the existing bylaw and underlined language represents proposed additions to the existing bylaw. PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT 1 Submitted by the Sullivan West, Hicksville, Massapequa, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, and Plainedge School Boards (6/9/25) Article 6, Board Of Directors, shall be amended to include the following: The Board of Directors, or its designee, shall provide a summary report by email to all members at least once every two weeks. This report shall detail any lobbying or advocacy activities undertaken by NYSSBA in support of official positions previously adopted by the membership, including updates on legislative efforts, meetings with officials, public statements, or other relevant actions since the previous report. This report shall also include suggestions for "grassroots" advocacy by membership to assist NYSSBA in its advancement of adopted positions. RATIONALE NYSSBA's advocacy efforts are a vital part of its mission, particularly in representing the positions adopted by member districts at the Annual Business Meeting. While membership currently receives "Advocacy Update" emails, there is no formal mechanism ensuring regular communication to the membership about how these positions are being advanced. This amendment enhances transparency and accountability by requiring consistent, biweekly updates on lobbying and advocacy activities related to adopted positions. It ensures that member boards remain informed about the organization's efforts on their behalf, strengthens trust in NYSSBA's leadership, and allows districts to better align their local efforts with statewide advocacy. Providing timely, routine updates will also help members evaluate the effectiveness of NYSSBA's actions and stay engaged in the policy process. EXPLANATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE The Committee felt that there is not a clear need that is not currently being addressed. In general, the Committee felt that the quality, quantity and frequency of updates and communications meets the needs of membership. The Committee further felt that too many emails could instead have a negative effect, leading to members ignoring important information. In addition, the Committee noted that members are welcome to reach out directly to their respective Area Director if they need additional information or support, and that Area Directors are elected by their Area in part for that purpose. Lastly, the Committee felt that this proposal attempts to address something that is more operational and process-oriented in nature than what the Association’s bylaws should cover. DEI Committee Review: Neutral

10

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT 2 Submitted by the Massapequa, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville, Locust Valley, Mohonasen, Plainedge, and Sullivan West School Boards (7/15/25) ARTICLE 9. COMMITTEES As amended October 26, 2019 A. There shall be: 2. A Resolutions Committee, consisting of one school board member from each Association area, one member from one of the five large city school boards and one member from the Caucus of Black School Board Members appointed by the president at the first meeting of the newly elected board of directors subject to confirmation by the board. The committee shall review, but may not amend, resolutions and Bylaw amendments submitted to it by any member board or the Board of Directors. Proposed resolutions or bylaw amendments must reach the Association office before the close of business on a date set annually by the board. Such due date shall not be later than August 1 or the Monday following August 1 if this date falls on a Saturday or a Sunday immediately preceding the annual meeting. Each resolution shall consist of a single "resolved" clause without "whereas" clauses, and shall address only one subject. A brief rationale statement may be included with each resolution or proposed Bylaw amendment. The Resolutions Committee shall present a report of its recommendations to NYSSBA membership in a printed document for action at the annual business meeting. All proposed resolutions submitted by member school boards are to be brought to a full vote of the membership at the annual meeting, without review or recommendation by any committee or other third party. A resolution adopted at an annual meeting shall remain in effect and shall be part of NYSSBA's active program for five years, unless sooner rescinded, reaffirmed, implemented or enacted. RATIONALE Currently, NYSBBA resolutions are filtered through resolutions and DEI committees, which issue recommendations that influence the vote before member school boards have a say. This process pressures boards to align with the committees recommendations rather than allowing an impartial decision by the full membership. A direct vote ensures that NYSSBA positions reflect the will of the members, preserving democratic representation and allowing all resolutions to be considered on their merits. EXPLANATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE The Committee believed strongly that review of proposed resolutions offers important information and support to voting delegates. The Committee noted that regardless of the positions or perspectives of any committee review, all proposed resolutions can be voted on by the membership, giving each proposal a fair opportunity to be considered. Lastly, the Committee noted that it is commonplace for school board work to be supported by committees. DEI Committee Review: Oppose

11

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT 3 Submitted by the Locust Valley School Board (7/17/25) Article 6, Board of Directors, shall be amended to include the following: The Board of Directors, or its designee, shall provide a summary report by email to all members at least every quarter of the year, or at minimum four times per year. In addition to this standard quarterly cadence, The Board of Directors will distribute individual news announcements on a case by case basis in which members should be made aware of changes in status, and other timely successes, challenges or updates related to current / specific lobbying and advocacy activities on adopted positions. In efforts to deepen transparency, educate and inform, this report shall detail any lobbying or advocacy activities undertaken by NYSSBA in support of official positions previously adopted by the membership, including updates on legislative efforts, meetings with officials, public statements, or other relevant actions since the previous report. This report shall also include suggestions for "grassroots" advocacy by membership to assist NYSSBA in its advancement of adopted positions. RATIONALE NYSSBA's advocacy efforts are a vital part of its mission, particularly in representing the positions adopted by member districts at the Annual Business Meeting. While membership currently receives "Advocacy Update" emails, there is no formal mechanism ensuring regular communication to the membership about how these positions are being advanced. This amendment enhances transparency and accountability by requiring a standardized method and cadence of consistent updates on lobbying and advocacy activities related to adopted positions. It ensures that member boards remain informed about the organization's efforts on their behalf, strengthens trust in NYSSBA's leadership, and allows districts to better align their local efforts with statewide advocacy. Providing timely, routine updates will also help members evaluate the effectiveness of NYSSBA's actions and stay engaged in the policy process. EXPLANATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE Very similar to proposed bylaw amendment number one, the Committee felt that there is not a clear need that is not currently being addressed. In general, while noting the slight difference from proposed bylaw amendment number one, the committee felt that the quality, quantity and frequency of updates and communications meets the needs of membership. The committee further felt that too many emails could instead have a negative effect, leading to members ignoring important information. In addition, the Committee noted that members are welcome to reach out directly to their respective Area Director if they need additional information or support, and that Area Directors are elected by their Area in part for that purpose. Lastly, the committee felt that this proposal attempts to address something that is more operational and process-oriented in nature than what the association’s bylaws should cover. DEI Committee Review: Neutral

12

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE FOR ADOPTION All resolutions with an asterisk * indicate a 2020 sunsetting resolution being considered for renewal. PROPOSED RESOLUTION 1* Submitted by the New York State School Boards Association Board of Directors (6/14/25) *RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association oppose to expand mayoral control to school districts beyond New York City. RATIONALE School boards are elected for the specific purpose of overseeing their respective school districts, adopting budget proposals, hiring and evaluating the superintendent and establishing policies tailored to their school districts’ needs. With the exception of the Big 5 school districts, which have some level of mayoral involvement, such as the Yonkers School Board being appointed by the mayor or the districts receiving local funding directly from their respective cities; mayors are generally elected for entirely separate purposes. NYSSBA believes in the principle of local control. This principle should extend to local school communities determining what system of educational oversight and leadership works best for them. DEI Committee Review: Affirm PROPOSED RESOLUTION 2* Submitted by the New York State School Boards Association Board of Directors (6/14/25) *RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association support legislation at the state and/or federal level that would allow and enhance the sharing of services amongst school districts and other municipalities. RATIONALE Shared services can represent significant cost savings for school districts, BOCES and other local governments. Shared service agreements between districts or between districts and other layers of government generate efficiencies, lower expenses, and allow for the delivery of services that might not otherwise be available. These efficiencies and cost savings create more financial flexibility for districts. Pursuing these policies, at the discretion of individual districts, has the potential to generate both meaningful savings and expansion of offerings, in both the short term and long term. It would benefit school districts, BOCES and the state for these cost-saving measures to not only continue, but to be expanded and made as flexible as possible. DEI Committee Review: Neutral

13

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 3* Submitted by the New York State School Boards Association Board of Directors (6/14/25) *RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association support proposals aimed at addressing the costs and administrative burdens of legal actions related to special education placements and services. RATIONALE Special education-related lawsuits have become increasingly common in recent years. Many of these suits stem from due process hearings, in which parents request a reevaluation of their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), or from the special education placement process. Frequent and frivolous lawsuits have been on the rise in recent years, costing districts unnecessary time and money. The complexity of the cases that come under the auspices of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) leaves open to manipulation the system intended to protect the due process rights of the most vulnerable. Too often, attorneys involved in IEP setting or at other stages of the special education placement process take advantage of its complexity. These attorneys will submit multitudes of complex FERPA and FOIL requests, ask for excessive and unusual additions to student IEPs, appeal any decision they deem unsatisfactory regardless of merit, or demand exhaustive compensatory damages and high attorneys’ fees. Even if the school district has a strong case, it is often more cost effective to simply settle out of court, rather than risk the continued accumulation of costs associated with the case. The cost is not only financial. Equally as taxing are the hundreds of hours spent by administrative, clerical and instructional staff working on these cases and the utterly demoralizing effect it has. Legislative action is needed to repair the broken IDEA system in such a way that allows schools to provide necessary services to students while protecting districts and families alike from the abuse of a system designed to protect our most vulnerable. DEI Committee Review: No Consensus PROPOSED RESOLUTION 4* Submitted by the Peru School Board (6/23/25) *RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association support incorporating prekindergarten funding into the school aid formulas used for K-12 education. RATIONALE As originally submitted by the NYSSBA Board of Directors (6/6/20), the Peru CSD Board of Education is in support of reintroducing this resolution at the 2025 meeting. "Demand remains high among districts for pre-k programs. Formula-based funding is the most effective way to help support districts in meeting that demand." DEI Committee Review: Neutral PROPOSED RESOLUTION 5* Submitted by the Peru School Board (6/23/25) *RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association produce, and widely recommend the adoption of a board policy, or language to be added to the existing policy related to child abuse, stating that the adopting district will encourage and facilitate all school personnel, including those who are mandated reporters and those who are not, to participate, once every three years, in a course or workshop that presents information related to signs of child abuse and the responsibilities of reporting it. RATIONALE As originally submitted by Webutuck School Board (7/17/20), the Peru CSD Board of Education is in support of reintroducing this resolution at the 2025 meeting. "Better equipping people who work with the children so they can recognize, and report suspicions of child abuse will help to avoid bad futures for children and create brighter ones." DEI Committee Review: Affirm 14

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 6* Submitted by the Peru and Albany School Boards (6/23/25) *RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association opposes proposals to raise the number of charter schools authorized in the state. RATIONALE As originally submitted by the NYSSBA Board of Directors (6/6/20), the Peru CSD Board of Education is in support of reintroducing this resolution at the 2025 meeting. "New York State needs to limit the growth of the charter industry so that public dollars can be invested in public schools." DEI Committee Review: Neutral PROPOSED RESOLUTION 7* Submitted by the Albany School Board (7/16/25) *RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association 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: a. Working collaboratively with the New York State Education Department, 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; b. Insisting that educators throughout the State be included in all aspects of the creation of standardized tests; and c. 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. RATIONALE Albany reiterates the original 2020 rationale provided by the Indian River School Board. We believe this resolution should be continued as its primary goals have not yet been satisfactorily achieved. Original Rationale: a. Along with the groups mentioned in the (a) part of the resolution we would like to see a role for the SUNY system in the creation of the tests. Subject matter expertise is available there along with expertise on child development and statistical analysis of the test data. Effectively, SUNY can replace the testing company. b. We want the educators of the state to be responsible for all aspects in the creation of the tests. Included in that should be a rethinking of the definition of proficiency. Right now the definition is linked statistically to a prediction of college readiness. A criterion referenced definition may be more transparent and give teachers and students a clearer target. c. In the last five years the earliest the test results have been available was July 29, 2016 and the latest was September 26, 2018. Teachers and administrators are denied any feedback regarding individual students' performance. No adjustments of lesson plans or changes in staffing are possible using test results. If a district is to make larger, programmatic changes using the test results, they can't: August is too late for that. And, of course, the student is long past caring how they did on the test except that they are likely to be told they are not proficient. A debriefing by their teacher in April and May would catch them at a time of interest and help their learning. DEI Committee Review: No Consensus 15

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 8 Submitted by the Binghamton School Board (4/11/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association shall advocate for the number of lockdown drills to be reduced from four to two each year. RATIONALE The current requirement of four lockdown drills per year results in a student having participated in 24 lockdown drills prior to the completion of 5th grade, and 52 before the end of 12th grade. Through that lens, the current number of required drills is excessive especially because there is no research showing this number of drills ensures more safety. To date, research is not conclusive as to the amount of psychological or emotional trauma caused by lockdown drills. As advocates for our children, it is incumbent on us to conduct lockdown drills in a manner that keeps children safe while not exposing them to trauma. DEI Committee Review: Neutral PROPOSED RESOLUTION 9 Submitted by the Roxbury School Board (6/9/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association that the New York State School Boards Association support legislation which would allow the creation of a regional high school when determined by the local boards of education to be educationally or fiscally appropriate. RATIONALE In most states, regional high schools are an important way in which students are provided with broad educational opportunities. In New York, we don’t have that option. Instead, we have a system of PreK-12 school districts most of which were created in the 30’ and 40s. Since that time, many districts have seen a decline in student population. At the same time, the need for both advanced and specialized course work for our high school students has increased. At present, the only option available to school districts for increasing the educational opportunities for their high school students is to merge their entire PreK-12 district with another one and create of a new school district. In doing so, the elementary and middle school programs have to go along. This means that some communities lose their school. With the regional high school model, the elementary and middle schools remain local. This allows for greater interaction between families and the school when the children are young. Communities retain a central hub of activity. This has been shown to be vital in the growth of our students. The high school students from these PreK8 districts combine in a regional high school where they will have a wide variety of classes to choose from. We all want our students to have the skills needed to be productive members of our democratic society. DEI Committee Review: Affirm

16

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 10 Submitted by the Port Washington and Peru School Boards (6/11/25) RESOLVED, in light of the recent “Extreme Heat Condition Days” unfunded mandate, that the New York State School Boards Association supports the state providing school districts and BOCES with necessary funding to allow for air conditioning and appropriate electrical needs in all public school buildings. RATIONALE The recent “Extreme Heat Condition Days” legislation is an unfunded mandate. Although the legislation, as currently written, states that occupiable educational and support services spaces cannot be occupied if the room temperature reaches eighty-eight degrees Fahrenheit, it nevertheless provides that students and staff are to be removed from such spaces where practicable. This “where practicable” language means that, in many cases, students and staff may very well remain in such unhealthy spaces if administrators decide to keep students and staff in the classrooms rather than sending them home. (Sending students home in the middle of the day raises transportation and parent/guardian logistical issues as well as increased costs). This permissive language makes the legislation more aspirational than realistic and relegates students and staff to continued excessive heat in many instances. Many schools throughout New York State were built in the mid-20th century; in older districts, many currently used buildings were built in the early 1900s, making them close to 100 years old. This means old and aging buildings with old, aging, and inadequate infrastructure and ventilation, and inadequate cooling systems. Many of the buildings that were constructed with windows and transoms for cross-ventilation have seen these windows and transoms sealed shut, and modern additions to these buildings have eliminated cross-ventilation. In addition, none of these buildings was built to combat the heat and emissions given off by smart boards, devices, light fixtures, etc. Accordingly, due to rising outdoor temperatures, coupled with rising ambient temperatures, many classrooms throughout the state experience high and unhealthy heat indexes. Expensive technology needs to "breathe" and be kept cool in order to avoid over-heating and function properly. So, too, our students and our staff. The legislation is a step in the right direction but, without adequate cooling systems, the “where practicable” language will render the legislation somewhat moot. The problem is that now school districts, already constrained budgetarily by the tax cap, now must choose between funding curricular/extra-curricular programming, along with mental health, security, and technology needs, etc., versus budgeting for air conditioning (whether window units or central systems), and other appropriate cooling measures, and the upgraded electrical infrastructure to service it. This is a no-win situation. Accordingly, it is incumbent upon the State to provide funding so that school districts can properly meet this unfunded mandate to render the legislation meaningful to protect students and staff. DEI Committee Review: Affirm

17

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 11 Submitted by the New York State School Boards Association Board of Directors (6/14/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association support the state to safely incorporate AI into curriculum and district operations. RATIONALE Artificial intelligence (AI) is swiftly becoming commonplace in every facet of modern life, including K-12 education. Like the early growth of social media, this phenomenon has largely grown without government oversight, guidelines, or guardrails. As school boards are making decisions for their students and staff regarding AI, support from the state would help to level the AI playing field, encourage its effective and productive use, and ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place. For teachers, AI can be used to allow for more time with students, reduce administrative burden, and improve worklife balance; it can be used from everything to tailoring lesson plans to particular groups of students, to grading papers. For students, AI can help to spur learning in ways not before possible due to its individualized nature, advanced analyzing power, and scope of available knowledge to draw from. However, among the gravest concerns in the education sphere, it can also be used to replace learning. Additionally, there are concerns around the impact of AI on equity, and whether bias plays a role in its systems. Questions also remain about the interplay between AI usage and data privacy statutes and regulations. The state should take steps to address these questions, and support districts as they incorporate this technology into the educational landscape. DEI Committee Review: Affirm PROPOSED RESOLUTION 12 Submitted by the New York State School Boards Association Board of Directors (6/14/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association oppose proposals that would provide tuition tax credits or educational vouchers that benefit private or parochial schools. RATIONALE Government funded tuition tax credits or educational vouchers benefiting private or parochial schools divert critical funding away from public schools and the students they serve. Public schools are open and accessible to all students. Diverting this crucial funding away from public schools creates more limits on what schools and school boards can do for their students, from creating equal access to a quality education to hands on learning experiences that work to benefit all children. Historically, vouchers are most often benefiting families of children who already attend private or parochial schools before the program, rather than expanding access. NYSSBA is committed to advocating for public schools to receive adequate and equitable funding, in support of the millions of students they serve. DEI Committee Review: Affirm

18

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 13 Submitted by the Sullivan West, Carle Place, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville, Locust Valley, Massapequa, Mohonasen, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, and Plainedge School Boards (6/23/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) shall advocate to the New York State Education Department, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and federal legislators for: 1. The reinstatement of whole milk as an allowable option in school breakfast and lunch programs, in addition to existing low-fat offerings; 2. The recognition of updated nutritional science supporting the safety and benefits of whole milk in the diets of children and adolescents; RATIONALE Emerging nutritional science has shown that whole milk contains essential nutrients and healthy fats that are beneficial for growing children, including calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and high-quality protein, which support bone health, brain development, and overall growth. Restricting schools to serve only reduced-fat milk options has negatively impacted student milk consumption, with data from the National Dairy Council and USDA indicating that overall milk consumption in schools has declined since the whole milk ban, contributing to reduced intake of key nutrients. Allowing the return of whole milk would also support local and regional dairy farmers, particularly in New York State—one of the nation’s leading dairy-producing states—thereby aligning with agricultural sustainability and economic goals. DEI Committee Review: Neutral PROPOSED RESOLUTION 14 Submitted by the Sullivan West, Carle Place, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville, Locust Valley, Massapequa, Mohonasen, Patchogue-Medford, and Plainedge School Boards (6/23/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) shall advocate for Amendments to New York State Education Department regulations to allow a set amount of daily recess time—up to 30 minutes per day—to count toward required instructional hours for elementary students. RATIONALE Outdoor recess is not just a break—it is an essential part of learning and development. Recognizing it as instructional time reflects current scientific understanding, supports student health, enhances learning outcomes, and restores local flexibility. School districts should be empowered to design whole-child-centered schedules that meet both academic and developmental needs. schools across New York face increasing demands on classroom schedules and instructional time, and recognizing outdoor recess as educational minutes would encourage schools to prioritize the whole-child approach without sacrificing compliance with mandated instructional time. Organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization recommend that all children receive at least 20–60 minutes of daily physical activity, including unstructured play, for optimal health and academic performance. DEI Committee Review: Neutral

19

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 15 Submitted by the Sullivan West, Carle Place, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville, Locust Valley, Massapequa, Mohonasen, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, and Plainedge School Board 6/23/25) RESOLVED, the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) shall advocate for the following policy changes: Substantial increases in state reimbursement rates for out-of-district special education placements to reflect true and current costs, including transportation and related services by way of Reform of the Excess Cost Aid formula to ensure more equitable and timely distribution of funding, particularly to districts facing a high proportion of costly mandated placements relative to total enrollment. RATIONALE Students with complex and high-needs disabilities often require specialized instruction, therapeutic interventions, and clinical services that can only be provided by private, state-approved or out-of-district programs. Out of-district placements—while necessary and appropriate—carry significant financial burdens for school districts, including high tuition costs, specialized transportation, and required support services that are only partially reimbursed under current state aid formulas. New York State’s Excess Cost Aid formula fails to fully cover the real, timely costs of these placements, creating long-term structural deficits for districts that are committed to serving every student regardless of need. DEI Committee Review: Affirm PROPOSED RESOLUTION 16 Submitted by the Orchard Park School Board (7/8/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association seek and promote legislation to reform current legal notice publication requirements. RATIONALE Public funds should be spent efficiently and effectively. Current legal notice publication requirements compel school districts to expend public funds in a manner that is both inefficient and ineffective. Currently, the district clerk is required to publish legal notices for annual meetings and elections on four occasions during the seven weeks preceding the date of the annual meeting or election, in two newspapers having general circulation, or one newspaper of general circulation, if there is only one, with the first publication occurring at least forty-five days before the date of the annual meeting or election. Many districts have two newspapers with general circulation within that district and those newspapers can therefore charge the highest publication rates permitted by law. The current legal notice publication requirements were enacted prior to the widespread use of and access to the Internet and "smart" phones. Publishing comprehensive legal notices in print newspapers is therefore an outdated practice and public notice to school community members can be accomplished more effectively by less expensive and/or cost-free methods. For example: Publish a brief notice referring the reader to the district’s website to read the complete legal notice. NYSSBA's support of legislation to reform the current legal notice publication requirements is necessary in order to ensure that public funds are spent effectively . DEI Committee Review: Neutral

20

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 17 Submitted by the Onteora School Board (7/9/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association supports limiting a district’s potential annual hold harmless phase out to no more than 2% of their district budget, even if doing so extends that district’s overall phaseout period. RATIONALE Given rising overall costs and the 2% budget increase cap, a loss of more than 2% of the annual budget in any given year would be unduly disruptive to programming and planning. Districts who potentially face hold harmless reductions that are greater than 2% of their budgets due to declining enrollment need time to make the adjustments and transitions such reductions would necessitate. DEI Committee Review: Affirm PROPOSED RESOLUTION 18 Submitted by the Onteora School Board (7/9/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association advocates for a budget threshold to protect rural districts with low enrollment and large geographical footprints in the Foundation Aid Formula. RATIONALE Rural areas in New York State have seen a higher decline in enrollment, leading to challenges around economies of scale, isolation, teacher shortages, and rising transportation costs. The Rockefeller Institute Report on Foundation Aid recognizes "that districts with low student enrollment require higher per pupil spending to reach academic standards." Many rural districts in NY State stand to lose significant Foundation Aid funding as rural student enrollments have declined since the 2000 census. NYSSBA should advocate for the Foundation Aid formula to consider the unique challenges of districts with less than 1,500 students in a geographically vast area. The costs of or needs for staff, benefits, utilities and transportation in a large district are not diminished when enrollment declines. Therefore, losing significant aid based on enrollment may result in rural districts being forced to cut programming, student supports, SEL and other vital programs for student success. A "budget threshold", would be a "red line" amount that funding would not drop below. In essence, a recognition in the funding formula that the cost of delivering education in a rural environment doesn't endlessly decrease as enrollment decreases, therefore built into the formula should be an amount of funding that would be a "basement" number below which funding would not decrease, regardless of other factors such an enrollment decline.” DEI Committee Review: Affirm

21

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 19 Submitted by the Cold Spring Harbor, Bay Shore, Herricks, Middle Country, and Port Jefferson School Boards (7/14/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association supports legislation allowing school districts to receive compensation from the New York Liquidation Bureau for liability insurance claims arising out of claims brought under the Child Victims Act in cases where the insurance company holding the policy became insolvent and its estate was executed by the Liquidation Bureau. RATIONALE The CVA was enacted to provide recompense to victims of child sexual abuse. While a well-intentioned initiative, an unintended consequence of this law has been the significant financial burden placed on public school districts. It is estimated that one out of every three school districts in New York State has had at least one claim brought against them under the CVA, with the financial toll reaching into the tens of millions of dollars in some school districts. In some of these cases, insurance coverage for CVA claims is nonexistent due to insurance companies having become insolvent. New York State had the foresight to establish the New York Liquidation Bureau to address such instances; unfortunately, the estates of the insurance carriers that covered school districts during the time periods in question have been closed, some for many years. As a result, those districts are left without access to coverage through the Liquidation Bureau. It is important to note that this lack of available insurance remedy does not reflect any negligence on the part of the affected school districts. All did, and will have to prove, their due diligence in maintaining proper liability insurance coverage during the time periods in question. It is through no fault of the school districts that the companies went out of business. Further, the school districts affected by these companies becoming insolvent had no opportunity to file claims with the Liquidation Bureau earlier, as the CVA did not open the window for such claims until 2019. Without access to insurance coverage payouts and/or state remedy, school districts are forced to use operating funds or take out bonds to cover the costs of legal settlements and jury awards. This diverts critical resources away from current and future students, as well as unfairly burdens local taxpayers. DEI Committee Review: Neutral PROPOSED RESOLUTION 20 Submitted by the Baldwinsville School Board (7/15/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association supports an amendment to New York State law that would authorize public school districts to establish and fund Health Insurance Reserve Funds through Board-approved resolutions. RATIONALE The Baldwinsville Central School District respectfully proposes that New York State amend existing law to allow public school districts to establish and fund Health Insurance Reserve Funds. Such authorization would allow districts to strategically plan for unanticipated increases in health insurance premiums and furthermore assist with transitions to lower-premium health insurance plans in a manner that is mutually beneficial to both the District and its employees. The purpose of such a reserve would be to support districts in proactively managing changes to employee health insurance plans—particularly transitions from low-deductible to high-deductible plans. This reserve would enable districts to contribute to Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRAs) and/or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for employees, incentivizing plan changes in a way that benefits both the district and staff. By offsetting higher out-ofpocket costs associated with high-deductible plans, the reserve would help employees make a financially sound transition while allowing districts to reduce overall health insurance premiums. In addition, the reserve could be used to mitigate the impact of unexpected premium increases in future years, helping to stabilize annual costs for both the district and its employees. Allowing districts to plan for rising healthcare expenses supports long-term fiscal sustainability and creates a balanced approach that benefits school district taxpayers and employees alike. DEI Committee Review: Neutral 22

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 21 Submitted by the Nassau BOCES Board (7/15/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) urge the New York State Legislature to amend General Municipal Law Section 6-j to explicitly include Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) among the entities authorized to establish and maintain workers' compensation reserve funds. RATIONALE General Municipal Law Section 6-j provides school districts and certain municipal entities with the authority to establish reserve funds specifically for workers' compensation claims and expenses. However, the statute inadvertently omits Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), with only a passing reference in subdivision 5 that does not grant the same authority. This omission creates a financial disadvantage for BOCES, which serve students with intensive needs and operate specialized programs that often result in higher rates of workers' compensation claims than traditional school districts. Amending the law to include BOCES would provide equitable access to a key fiscal tool, allowing these agencies to responsibly plan for and manage the high costs associated with workers' compensation. This statutory change would support fiscal stability and benefit all BOCES across New York State. DEI Committee Review: Neutral PROPOSED RESOLUTION 22 Submitted by the Albany School Board (7/16/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association shall support legislative or regulatory changes to add financial literacy into the statewide K-12 curriculum, with additional state funding to support implementation of this new curricular expectation. RATIONALE Financial literacy is a critical life skill necessary for personal and professional success. Acquiring knowledge at a young age of money management skills like saving and budgeting, how to navigate student loans, the basics of credit, and setting short- and long-term financial goals empowers students with critical tools that can serve as a foundation for healthy financial habits as they move into adulthood. Financial decisions young adults make can impact their future, and, by contrast, without financial education young people may enter adulthood facing obstacles that can limit their opportunities. This can lead to poor decisions, long-term debt and financial stress. Embedding age-appropriate instruction in the curriculum throughout a child's K-12 experience -- and supporting school districts with the resources necessary to add and deliver these curricula -- will provide New York's young people with the foundational skills needed to promote their individual well-being and contribute to a more financially responsible and stable society. DEI Committee Review: Affirm

23

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 23 Submitted by the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Board and the Candor, Dryden, Groton, Newfield, and Trumansburg School Boards (7/17/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association supports legislation on the state level that allows school districts to choose to authorize School Medical Directors (SMDs) and their clinical designees to evaluate, diagnose, temporarily treat, and prescribe medications for students on campus in accordance with New York State law. RATIONALE The problem: This resolution addresses a critical health crisis affecting school-aged children and teens in New York State, and especially in rural and upstate New York: the lack of access to essential healthcare. Barriers such as poverty, transportation issues, and a shortage of medical providers leave thousands of youth without regular medical care in the form of an established relationship with a medical provider. Additional challenges like substance use, language barriers, undocumented status, lack of health insurance, and conflicting work schedules, further prevent parents and guardians from securing regular and consistent care for their children. Without access to regular healthcare, students experience serious health inequities. Students with chronic diseases such as asthma or life-threatening food allergies lack access to immediate treatment, such as albuterol or EpiPens, putting their lives at risk and mental health challenges left untreated are exacerbated. In addition, lack of access to basic healthcare negatively affects academic performance, further aggravating disparities for an already vulnerable population. Background: Every school district in New York State is required to have a licensed medical doctor or nurse practitioner serving as School Medical Director (SMD). Currently in New York State, SMDs are tasked with, among other duties, administering routine medical examinations; however, they are not authorized to provide treatment or prescribe medications for emergent issues they may detect, despite the fact that they are licensed to do so outside of schools. At the same time, in rural New York, there is an immense shortage of pediatricians, leaving a significant number of students without a primary care physician or a “medical home”. By way of example, in the TST-BOCES catchment area in the Finger Lakes region, as of May 2025 of thirteen pediatric practices, six were not accepting new patients; for the remaining seven practices wait times for new patients to be seen ranged from 1-7 months. This is exacerbated when considered with the transportation and other social barriers noted above. The disparity between urban areas and rural areas of New York State only continues to grow. In urban areas, there are 131 pediatricians for every 100,000 NYS residents aged 0-17, but only 64 pediatricians for every 100,000 NYS residents aged 0-17 in rural areas. To put this into perspective, New York State as a whole ranks 4th in the nation for the ratio of pediatricians to youth; if we consider only rural areas, New York State places 46th in the nation. Additional data from the TST-BOCES catchment area illustrates the severity of the need. TST-BOCES offers a School Health CoSer that provides a School Medical Director to which seven out of nine component school districts subscribe. Over the 2024-2025 school year, the medical team saw over 200 students for school physicals. Data collected from November - April shows that 48% of students seen did not have a primary care physician (medical home), 24% needed medication, and of that 24%, 78% of the prescriptions needed were for albuterol and/or epinephrine. While School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) have successfully improved health outcomes and graduation rates, most are located in urban areas, leaving large parts of upstate New York unserved. Expanding SBHCs upstate would be a helpful solution but one that requires significant time for development (which students in need do not have) and runs up against the lack of providers and financial burdens which have proven difficult to overcome as we see many SBHCs being forced to close. Proposed solution: This resolution proposes a faster, more feasible solution: advocating for legislation empowering school districts to choose to allow SMDs and their clinical designees to prescribe medications and provide basic 24

[Back to Listing]

treatments, consistent with New York State law, to students who lack access to regular healthcare while simultaneously working to connect students with a permanent primary care practice in the community. This timely solution addresses widening health inequities in rural New York, providing immediate support to underserved students and families. Allowing SMDs to act consistent with their licensure would offer an avenue to care and help narrow this disparity. The resolution seeks advocacy for legislation that explicitly authorizes SMDs and their clinical designees to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and prescribe for students on campus contingent upon school district opt-in, as a bridge to regular medical care. It is important to emphasize that the resolution suggests an opt-in program, where each district will have the option to implement this expansion of SMD authorities only if they so choose and in the manner that fits their needs, consistent with resultant regulations. If adopted, this change will bring an immediate and long-term transformative impact on the health and academic success of rural youth. DEI Committee Review: Affirm

25

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE FOR ADOPTION PROPOSED RESOLUTION 24 Submitted by the Otsego Northern Catskills BOCES Board (5/20/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association support legislation that would expand the application of reorganization aid to not only include full merger of school districts, but to also include significant regionalization of educational programs by several schools in a region. RATIONALE The 2024-25 Enacted Budget enhanced operating aid for districts that merge after July 1, 2024. For districts that merge after July 1, 2024, selected operating aid is based on Foundation Aid in the year prior to the merger. This was a significant increase in funding for schools willing to reorganize to be more efficient and effective. Schools can meet this same goal through significant sharing and regionalization; therefore, the incentive aid should be available to schools that enter these agreements. EXPLANATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE The Committee felt that the term “significant regionalization” could be too broadly interpreted and did not provide clear directive to support the Association’s advocacy. The Committee also recognized the existence of BOCES Aid and agreed that regionalization efforts and the sharing of resources yield financial benefits without the need for additional funding. DEI Committee Review: Affirm PROPOSED RESOLUTION 25 Submitted by the Plattsburgh School Board (5/21/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association will advocate for a “Share Our Wealth” proposal, which would increase New York’s top income tax rates for those earning over $5 million and over $25 million to 10.5% and 12.85% respectively, and with the increased revenue generated by this proposal to be invested in public education (Pre-k – 16). RATIONALE New York’s public schools depend on funding from three major sources; Federal aid through title programs and grants, local school property taxes (which are limited by tax caps), and New York State Aid enacted by the state legislature. Federal Aid changes very little and perhaps this year it may be reduced, and local property tax is limited by the tax cap on the total levy which allows minimal change in revenue for most districts. This places a substantial responsibility on the State of New York to make up the differences in our local budgets to fund the needed services in our districts. This campaign helps the State of New York find ways to have the wealth of the richest taxpayers and corporations shared. One-sixth of the wealth in New York State is possessed by .25% of our population. In other words, .25% of the taxpayers earn $175 Billion of the $1.1 trillion in total personal income earned in New York. Annually a smaller percentage of the New Yorkers continue to gain a larger percentage of our state’s wealth. It is time to share the wealth, stop this trend and get more funds for our schools and children. Examples: INCOME TAX INCREASE ON THE ULTRA-WEALTHY 26

[Back to Listing]

27

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 27 Submitted by the Newark School Board (7/1/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association supports the development and implementation of financial aid that provides supplemental state funding to rural districts for the purpose of equalizing teacher salaries and improving recruitment and retention. RATIONALE New York State’s school districts—urban, suburban, and rural—face distinct challenges in recruiting and retaining teachers. Rural districts often struggle with higher turnover, staffing shortages, and heavier workloads due to limited resources. There is little statewide analysis comparing work expectations, isolation, commute times, cost-of-living, and extracurricular demands across district types. Lower salaries in rural areas contribute to disparities in educational quality and make it harder to attract and retain high-quality educators. To address this, NYSSBA should work with the state to conduct a comprehensive study of teacher workload, conditions, and compensation across all district types and advocate for targeted aid to help rural schools offer competitive salaries—especially with nearby suburban districts where many teachers currently reside. EXPLANATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE The Committee noted trends in teacher recruitment and retention statewide and nationally, and found that retention rates are largely the same across district types, but that rural schools lagged in recruitment. The Committee further noted that there are challenges beyond salary that may preclude potential applicants, including the availability of housing close enough to school buildings to allow for commuting. Additionally, if such an initiative were implemented, there is the possibility that more affluent districts would just further raise salaries to remain more competitive. Lastly, there were questions about how this would be implemented, and whether this proposed method would be the best way to address this issue. DEI Committee Review: Affirm PROPOSED RESOLUTION 28 Submitted by the Massapequa, Carle Place, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville, Locust Valley, Mohonasen, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Plainedge, and Sullivan West School Boards (7/1/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association should OPPOSE any policies or regulatory changes to curriculum or standards that does not promote academic excellence, high expectations, and merit-based opportunities for all students. RATIONALE Student achievement has been declining, and our current approach is not producing the results our students need to succeed. The focus must return to strong academics, ensuring that all students are challenged and supported to reach their highest potential. By prioritizing high expectations and academic excellence, we can better prepare students for future success. EXPLANATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE The Committee felt that this resolution would inadvertently undermine efforts aimed at expanding inclusivity and agreed that the New York State Education Department currently strives to promote academic excellence and high expectations. The Committee disagreed with the presumed premise of this resolution and rationale. DEI Committee Review: Oppose

28

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 29 Submitted by the Massapequa, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville, Mohonasen, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Plainedge, and Sullivan West School Boards (7/1/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association advocate for school districts to be granted home rule authority to strengthen local control and decision-making by elected boards of education. RATIONALE School districts are governed by elected boards of education and are directly accountable to their local communities, yet they lack the home rule authority granted to municipalities under the New York State Constitution. Granting school districts. EXPLANATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE The Committee was of the opinion that this resolution was overly broad and that preeminence of local control is appropriate in some instances, but that the state has a specific role and responsibility in other instances. The Committee also believed that this is too large of a change to pursue in response to isolated disagreements with the state. The Committee further noted that delegates have rejected similar resolutions in recent business meetings. DEI Committee Review: Oppose PROPOSED RESOLUTION 30 Submitted by the Hewlett-Woodmere School Board (7/3/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association shall advocate for school board members to be recognized for their service via a locally authorized property tax exemption. RATIONALE School board members are the backbone of our public education system. This exemption would be aligning school board members with other community volunteers in a similar fashion as Tax Law § 466-a which authorizes the governing body of a county, city, town, village, school district, or fire district, to partially exempt up to 10% of the assessed value of the residence of a volunteer firefighter or ambulance worker. This would reflect the time commitment, responsibility, and civic dedication the role demands, while helping ensure that individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds can afford to serve. It is time we recognize that public service should not come with personal financial burden. A fair and standardized compensation structure would honor the essential work of school board members and encourage greater participation in this critical democratic process. EXPLANATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE The Committee did not want create financial incentives to school board service, expressing concern that it could lead to community members running for the wrong reason. While the Committee agreed that it is important to incentivize school board service, it did not feel this was the way to accomplish that goal. Lastly, the Committee noted that not all school board members directly pay property taxes via ownership of real estate, but rather also indirectly via rent and other methods. DEI Committee Review: Neutral

29

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 31 Submitted by the Hewlett-Woodmere School Board (7/3/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association supports legislation to eliminate Regents Exam Testing at the high school level in favor of State Final Exams that comply with ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) regulations in 10-11th grade for ELA (1 exam), Math (1 exam), and Science (1 exam). RATIONALE 1. New York is one of only seven states that still require students to pass exams to receive a high school diploma. The other states are Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming. 2. ESSA provided guidance to states to reduce standardized testing when it was introduced by President Obama in 2015. EXPLANATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE The Committee noted that the State Education Department’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures thoroughly reviewed the value and role of Regents exams. The Commission included school board representation and released a report in 2023 that recommended to eliminate current Regents assessment requirements for earning a high school diploma, while continuing to offer the exams for students who choose to take them. The State Education Department proposed a timeline that would effectuate this change beginning in the 2027-28 school year, which was generally supported by the Board of Regents. The Committee further noted that this resolution was rejected by delegates during business meetings in 2023 and 2024. DEI Committee Review: No Consensus PROPOSED RESOLUTION 32 Submitted by the Hicksville, East Rockaway, Mohonasen, Oyster Bay- East Norwich, and Plainedge School Boards (7/3/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Board Association shall advocate for the REMOVAL of all GMOs (genetically modified organisms), BIOENGINEERED FOOD INGREDIENTS, HEAVY METALS (including but not limited to: Cadmium, arsenic and lead) and DANGEROUS CHEMICALS (including but not limited to: glyphosate) from all student served meals to protect our children's health. RATIONALE There are standards in place for things like calories, sodium, and added sugar; however, many lunches contain genetically modified crops that are banned or restricted in more than 60 countries and have shown increased health risks for our students. Families across New York will soon rely on school breakfast and lunch to nourish their children and student health needs to be prioritized! Invisible ingredients harm the developing bodies and brains of children. Students should have access to healthy, non-harmful lunches that prioritize whole and pure foods free of toxins and chemical burden. The USDA asserts that lunches consumed from schools are nutritious but they do not have regulatory authority to establish or enforce rules on contaminants. The State should set requirements for food service providers ensuring school districts are able to provide clean and nutritious meals. EXPLANATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE While the Committee agreed on the importance of food quality, they felt this proposal was too outside the scope of NYSSBA’s advocacy. The Committee noted that there were no included definitions for terms such as “GMOs” and “bioengineered,” which would make advocacy near impossible, given there is vast disagreement on those terms. Additionally, the Committee noted the rationale had incorrect information, and appeared to lack a clear scientific background. DEI Committee Review: Affirm 30

[Back to Listing]

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 33 Submitted by the Hicksville, Carle Place, Cold Spring Harbor, Locust Valley, Massapequa, Mohonasen, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, and Plainedge School Boards (7/3/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards Association calls upon the NY State Education Department to advocate for the creation and/or expansion through Title 1 or similar comparable state funding streams specifically for special education students to attend out-of-district summer camps including costs for programs and transportation. NYSSBA should ensure that such programs are inclusive of diverse educational models and providers, including those offering social-emotional learning, life skills, vocational training, and recreational therapy in supportive environments. RATIONALE Students with disabilities benefit significantly from consistent year-round educational and developmental programming to prevent regression and support academic, social, and emotional growth; and the current structure of Extended School Year (ESY) services does not meet the diverse interests and individualized needs of all special education students, particularly those who would thrive in alternate, specialized summer camp environments outside their home districts. Families of students with disabilities often face significant financial and logistical barriers to accessing inclusive or specialized summer programming, which are essential to maintaining developmental progress made during the academic year. Expanding the use of Title I funds or establishing new special grant mechanisms to support out-of-district, specialized summer programming for students with disabilities would address long-standing gaps in services, enhance student outcomes, and support families in need. EXPLANATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE The Committee felt that this was unnecessary, as funding currently supports students whose Individualized Education Programs (IEP) requires such services. Additionally, the Committee felt that current oversight of such camps might not be sufficient to meet the standards of public funding. DEI Committee Review: Neutral PROPOSED RESOLUTION 34 Submitted by the Patchogue-Medford School Board (7/8/25) RESOLVED, that the New York State School Board Association advocates for the mandatory implementation of daily recess for all students in schools that serve exclusively elementary grade levels, in addition to scheduled physical education classes. RATIONALE Recess plays a vital role in the healthy development of elementary-aged children, offering unstructured time for physical activity, social interaction, and emotional regulation. It provides a natural setting for children to develop essential life skills such as communication, cooperation, problem-solving, and adaptablility. Through play, students learn to navigate peer relationships, manage conflicts, and practice empathy in real-time, authentic ways. These interpersonal skills not only support positive school culture but also translate into increased confidence and engagement in the classroom. Furthermore, research consistently shows that periodic breaks from academic instruction enhances focus, reduce behavioral issues, and improve cognitive functioning. Recess is not a break from learning-it is an integral part of it. Prioritizing and protecting daily recess time promotes overall well-being of students and fosters conditions that support both social-emotional and academic growth. EXPLANATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE Conceptually, the Committee viewed this resolution favorably. However, they agreed that additional clarity was necessary to further define “elementary grade levels” in order to provide NYSSBA with the direction necessary to most appropriately advocate for this change. The Committee suggested that an amendment to clarify elementary grade levels could address these concerns. DEI Committee Review: Neutral 31

[Back to Listing]

INFORMATION ON AMENDMENTS, REBUTTALS AND ENDORSEMENTS Proposed bylaw amendments and resolutions were submitted to NYSSBA by July 18, 2025 (and reviewed by the Resolutions Committee on August 19). No additional bylaw amendments can be proposed at this time. Amendments, rebuttal statements to proposed bylaw amendments and resolutions not recommended by the Committee, as well as endorsements to be included in the Voting Delegates’ Guide must reach NYSSBA’s Governmental Relations Department by 5 p.m. on September 19, 2025. They must be submitted via email to advocacy@nyssba.org with a subject containing the number of the proposed resolution and if it is an amendment, rebuttal or endorsement. Below you will find details regarding each option. Amendments: Amendments to a proposed resolution must be submitted using the NYSSBA Amendment Request form found HERE and emailed directly to Danielle Grasso at advocacy@nyssba.org. Amendments cannot be submitted to proposed bylaw amendments. Rebuttals: Rebuttals may be submitted for proposed bylaw amendments and resolutions not recommended by the Resolutions Committee. Rebuttals must be sent via email to advocacy@nyssba.org and should include the resolution number, text of the originally submitted resolution, the name of the school district submitting the rebuttal, and must be signed by the Board President. Endorsements: A member board can endorse a proposed bylaw amendment or resolution of another member board by emailing advocacy@nyssba.org. The email must include the names of both the endorsing district and submitting district, and the text of the originally submitted resolution. The endorsing board(s) will be listed alphabetically with the proposed bylaw amendment or resolution.

32

INFORMATION FOR THE VOTING DELEGATES The voting delegates at the Annual Business Meeting vote on a slate of officers for the Association, including a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, and a Treasurer. They debate and vote on changes to the Association’s bylaws and resolutions that will establish the Association’s positions on various legislative and policy matters. Voting delegates must be registered for the Annual Business Meeting by their district clerk using only NYSSBA’s voting delegate registration form. Prior to the meeting, the New York State School Boards Association will host both a voting delegate orientation and a resolutions Q&A session that delegates are encouraged to attend. Below you will find details related to meeting procedures for all voting delegates during the Annual Business Meeting. ORDER OF BUSINESS The Order of Business for the Annual Business Meeting is the agenda for the meeting. It sets forth the items of business that are scheduled to be accomplished during the course of the meeting. The meeting will begin promptly at 4:00 p.m. with several procedural items. First, the Association President, who presides throughout the meeting, announces the presence of a quorum. New York State School Boards Association bylaws require 200 members in attendance to achieve quorum. Following the announcement of a quorum, the President calls for a motion to adopt the Order of Business. The President also calls for a motion to adopt the Proposed Rules of Conduct for the meeting. These rules are prepared to be consistent with the Association’s bylaws. The rules describe how delegates must conduct themselves during the meeting, such as setting out the time allotted for discussion of certain items. THE BUSINESS MEETING Next, the President will announce the winners of this year’s Area Director elections, which were conducted locally in each of the designated areas. According to NYSSBA’s bylaws, Area Directors serve for two-year terms. Election of Area Directors in Areas 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 occur in odd-numbered years. Election of Area Directors in Areas 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 occur in even-numbered years. This year, election results will be announced for Areas 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. ELECTION OF THE NYSSBA OFFICERS The Board Officer election is the next item on the Order of Business. Each June, the Board of Directors, which acts as the nominating committee for the delegates to the Annual Business Meeting, nominates a slate of officers who stand for election at the Annual Business Meeting. These individuals are automatically placed in nomination. Once this occurs, the President, or his or her designee, calls for other nominations from the floor. If there are no such nominations, the vote is taken at the time. If there is a nomination from the floor, the vote is taken after such individual accepts the nomination. The President then announces the winner. ADOPTION OF BYLAW AMENDMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS The next item is the Report of the Resolutions Committee. The Resolutions Committee is a standing committee of the Association created by Article 9 of the Association’s bylaws. The Committee chair reports directly to the delegates rather than the Board of Directors. The Resolutions Committee is appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Area Directors. The Committee has one member from each Association area, one representative from the Conference of Big 5 School Districts and one member from the Caucus of Black School Board Members. 33

The Chair is designated by the President from among those appointed to the Committee. In accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, once the Chair moves adoption of a bylaw amendment or resolution recommended for adoption by the Resolutions Committee, no second is required. Next, delegates will consider any proposed bylaw amendments. Any bylaw amendments recommended by the Resolutions Committee will be considered first. The Resolutions Committee Chair moves recommended bylaw amendments; a second is not needed. After consideration of bylaw amendments recommended by the Resolutions Committee, the President shall provide voting delegates the opportunity to move any of the bylaw amendments “not recommended” by the Resolutions Committee (Since the Resolutions Committee Chair will not move items that were not recommended, each motion requires a second by a voting delegate). Each bylaw amendment will be debated and voted on separately. Any amendment to the bylaws must have the approval of a two-thirds majority of those present and voting. In accordance with Article 17 (2) of the bylaws, bylaw amendments may not be proposed or amended from the floor of the Business Meeting. Thus, all proposed bylaw amendments had to be submitted by July 18, 2025, and all amendments to the bylaws must be sent to each member board by a date that will allow each member board time to review them in advance of the Annual Business Meeting. The Resolutions Committee Chair next moves those existing NYSSBA positions that have been recommended for adoption. These previously approved resolutions are established NYSSBA positions that are scheduled to sunset if they are not renewed. Because these resolutions have been previously approved by voting delegates, these resolutions can be moved via consent agenda (where several resolutions may be voted on en masse). Delegates may remove any resolution from a consent agenda simply by making a request at the time the consent agenda is called for consideration. No second or vote is required. Resolutions removed from the consent agenda are considered under the “Resolutions Recommended for Adoption” portion of the meeting. After the consent agenda has been considered and voted on, delegates will next be asked to address newly recommended resolutions individually. The Resolutions Committee Chair moves each resolution recommended for adoption by the Committee. Each recommended resolution is presented and voted upon separately. The Resolutions Committee Chair will move those resolutions recommended by the Committee for adoption; a second is not needed. Resolutions require approval by a simple majority of those present and voting for passage. Following consideration of the resolutions recommended for adoption, the President shall provide voting delegates the opportunity to move any of the “not recommended” and resolutions. (Since the Resolutions Committee Chair will not move items that were not recommended, each motion requires a second by a voting delegate). OTHER BUSINESS After considering all proposed resolutions, the President will ask if there is any Other Business. If there is no Other Business, the President will ask for a motion to adjourn the Annual Business Meeting.

34

24 Century Hill Drive, Suite 200 Latham, NY 12110 518.783.0200 • 800.342.3360 • nyssba.org

8-25/059