Member Services and Programs

NYSSBA's programs and services – organized around the Association's goals to provide advocacy, information, leadership development and custom services for school districts – are designed to help school board members advance the cause of public education for the children of New York.

NYSSBA provides member boards with skillbuilding and informative education programs, publications and consultant services.
It represents the views of its members with legislators and policymakers in Albany and Washington, D.C. NYSSBA also stands ready to assist members with legal questions, negotiation advice, policy guidance, communications activities, research needs and much more.

Many of the services and publications NYSSBA offers are free to members.
For members who need special assistance, NYSSBA offers a wide array of leadership development and customized fee-based programs and services. This allows the Association to keep membership dues at stable levels while providing a greater level of services to member boards when the need arises.

Advocacy
NYSSBA's advocacy efforts on the state and federal levels are directed by the 5,000 locally elected officials that comprise its membership. As NYSSBA members and locally elected education leaders, board members are in the best position to identify those issues that most need the support, time and attention of the Association.

Issues go to the full membership through the resolutions process. Proposed resolutions are passed by a member school board or NYSSBA's Board of Directors and submitted to NYSSBA for consideration by member delegates at the Annual Business Meeting each October. Adopted resolutions become the position statements that form NYSSBA's legislative agenda.

NYSSBA promotes the value of public education at the state and federal levels in the following ways:

• Governmental Representation
  NYSSBA advocates an aggressive and effective legislative and regulatory program based on resolutions adopted by delegates at the Annual Business Meeting and on positions taken by the Board of Directors. (dues-based)

• Direct Litigation
  NYSSBA represents the membership in state and federal courts and before the commissioner of education and the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) on matters of statewide significance. (dues-based)

• Friend-of-the-Court Briefs
  NYSSBA crafts friend-of-the-court briefs to support member legal actions of statewide significance. (dues-based)

• State Legislative Network (SLN) Issues Conference
  An annual two-day advocacy training event in March that gives board members the information and skills they need to fulfill their roles as grassroots educational policy advocates at the state level. Members hear from state leaders about the state budget and issues directly affecting their districts, then lobby their state legislators at the state Capitol. (dues-based)

• Federal Relations Network (FRN)
  An annual event each January, where school board members from each Congressional district lobby their federal representatives in Washington, D.C., including New York's two senators, on federal issues such as the No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, that affect school districts. This conference is sponsored jointly by NYSSBA and the National School Boards Association. FRN members also advocate their positions throughout the year. (dues-based)

• Legislative Liaisons and Legislative Alerts
  Each NYSSBA member district appoints a legislative liaison. NYSSBA keeps these liaisons up-to-date on current issues and helps them learn how their boards can successfully advocate their districts' interests. NYSSBA also provides electronic Legislative Alerts and Calls to Action when issues demand direct involvement of all NYSSBA members. (dues-based)

• Local Support
  NYSSBA supports local advocates through regional issue briefings, the State Legislative Network News (an electronic newsletter), Capitol Advantage (an online advocacy tool) and collaboration with county and local associations, in cooperation with the Council of Local School Boards Associations (COLSBA). Members also have access to advocacy materials, such as sample letters to legislators, letters to the editor, and district newsletter articles. (dues-based)

Information
NYSSBA provides vital information to help your board make informed decisions.

• On Board
  NYSSBA's award-winning newspaper is published twice monthly and is distributed to NYSSBA members, as well as superintendents and other school administrators, public officials and the media. On Board contains the latest information regarding lobbying, negotiations, legal issues, leadership development, employee relations and policy development, and includes updates on current issues in education and local programs of note. (dues-based)

• NYSSBA Online
  NYSSBA's award-winning website provides an electronic connection to NYSSBA and links members to educational organizations, the state and federal governments, county and local school boards associations, and school districts. Look for links to the latest education stories, timely lobbying and leadership development information, special reports and other tools to help your leadership team. (dues-based)

• Forecast
  A newsletter published three times a year on emerging issues in public education. Forecast explains decisions confronting boards of education and offers analysis of the political, economic, or social environment in which schools operate. (dues-based)

• Publications
  NYSSBA offers a variety of handbooks and guidebooks for school board members on subjects such as the 33rd edition of School Law (reduced fee for members), the Superintendent’s Contract Guidebook (free to members), and School District Obligations Under the Open Meetings Law (free to members).

• Expert Advice
  From the No Child Left Behind Act to the Regents higher learning standards, NYSSBA staff can answer your questions on legal issues, employee relations, governance, policy, public relations and legislative issues related to education. (dues-based)

• Research
  NYSSBA uses the Internet, timely reports and periodicals, surveys and community engagement to track, conduct and disseminate the latest in education-related research and trends that affect school boards' advocacy and governance activities. (dues-based)

• E-Clips
  NYSSBA keeps school district officials up-to-date on the latest in education news from around the state by providing E-Clips, a free e-mail clipping service delivered each day, with stories from 26 newspapers across the state. Simply click on the headlines to access the full story on the newspapers website.

• Area Directors Electronic Newsletters
  Board members, superintendents, district clerks and other key district personnel of NYSSBA's member school districts receive e-mail newsletters from their NYSSBA Area Director bi-weekly, keeping you up-to-date on all of NYSSBA's activities, events and accomplishments.

• GrantStation
  Superintendents and board presidents of NYSSBA's member school districts are emailed the "GrantStation Insider," a weekly newsletter that provides the latest information on new funding programs, upcoming deadlines, conferences, seminars and general information for grant seekers. (dues-based)

Leadership Development
NYSSBA offers a variety of leadership development opportunities, both in the classroom and online, to meet your leadership team's developmental needs.

• The Annual Convention
  NYSSBA's premier three-day event in October provides your leadership team with the latest in leadership development and cutting-edge solutions to education issues. From the opening keynote kickoff to the Sunday morning showcase, the convention is packed with more than 60 education seminars, speakers on hot-button topics, a celebration of school board achievement, the pre-convention School Law Seminar and School Board Institute courses, plus special networking breakfasts and other opportunities to share with school board members from around the state. It features the Annual Business Meeting, where NYSSBA positions are established for the coming year. It includes a variety of student performances and displays. It features one of the largest exhibitions of vendor services in the state. (fee-based)

• New School Board Member Weekend Academy
  The New Member Academy is offered at a variety of locations throughout the summer and fall. This academy features foundational knowledge and skills for new board members. Participants immerse themselves in critical aspects of boardsmanship, explore financial and curriculum issues, get answers to questions, and leave with knowledge and skills that can help make board service more rewarding and productive. (fee-based)

• Leadership Tool Box Series
  Half-day workshops held regionally throughout the state that focus on urgent issues that are confronting virtually every school district in New York.

Workshop Features include:

Tools: Detailed explanations on how your board can implement a new process, checklists or templates that can be tailored to your district or examples of best practices in other districts.

Contacts: So you and your board can replicate a successful program or approach in your own district, you will receive contact information for other districts that have been successful and are eager to share their knowledge. (fee-based)

• Board Officers Academy
  A high-level professional development opportunity that enables board presidents, vice presidents, committee/task force chairs, and superintendents to probe major issues and focus on practical skills for leading the district's governance team. Offered in July, August and September. (fee-based)

• Regional Workshops and Seminars
  These events, held across the state, provide governance team members training on topical issues and skills at convenient times and locations. Workshops normally focus upon a single subject, such as "NCLB Policy Effects," "Fiscal Fitness" and "Planning the Governance Team Transition." These workshops and seminars may also be conducted at the request of a specific school district or region. (fee-based)

• Fiscal Oversight Workshops
  To enable members to comply with state laws, NYSSBA offers five workshops totaling six hours on "Fiscal Oversight Fundamentals for School Board Members." Workshops are conducted regionally throughout the state, as scheduled by NYSSBA, as well as at the request of a specific district or region. (fee-based)

• School Board Institute (SBI)
  This eight-course series focuses on the key work of school boards. The SBI is a comprehensive, standards-based program designed to develop the leadership capabilities of school governance teams. Each interactive course stresses practical actions for governance teams to improve student achievement. (fee-based)

• Legal Seminars
  NYSSBA's Legal Department presents seminars and workshops across the state on legal topics that affect board members, superintendents, school principals, pupil services personnel, committees for special education (CSE) chairs and other school staff, and school attorneys. These events include a series of special education seminars; a series of summer law conferences; and the Association's annual Pre-Convention School Law Seminar. (fee-based)

• LeadershipPlus
  NYSSBA's Online Learning Campus, featuring facilitated discussions, problem solving activities, and practical applications, including "Fiscal Oversight Online." NYSSBA's online courses allow you to learn at times and locations you choose, such as the convenience of your home or office, or even your laptop on the road. Easy registration and "help desk" services add to the ease and value of online learning. (fee-based)

• NYSSBA's K-12 School Foundation Development Program
  School foundations provide resources for local public school district programs and projects currently not funded by district budgets. School foundations are intended to provide ongoing support for current needs and needs that have yet to be identified.

NYSSBA membership entitles you and your board to:

• Access to the National School Foundation Association members' website
• Webinars at reduced member prices
• Quarterly NSFA newsletters
• Consultation and support through NSFA at member pricing
• Access to foundation liability insurance (fee-based)

• Recognition Program
  NYSSBA acknowledges graduates of NYSSBA's School Board Institute and other members committed to attending Leadership Development events with a special recognition program. (dues-based)

Custom Services
NYSSBA's expert consultants deliver special programs and services when the need arises.

• AdvisorySolutions
  School district consultant services to position your district for the future. NYSSBA's cadre of independent advisors - veteran superintendents, business officials, curriculum specialists and others with successful track records - help your district with financial program services, operational systems reviews and planning for the future. These services are affordable, flexible, available at your convenience and can be designed to fit your district's specific needs. (fee-based)

• Custom Improvement Programs (CIP)
  Tailored to meet the specific needs of your board or full governance team, these onsite programs help a board set goals, strengthen the governance team, improve specific knowledge or skills or resolve a local problem. CIPs are scheduled at a time and place convenient for the board - weekday, evening, or weekend. Programs can be from three hours to a full day in duration. (fee-based)

• Fresh Perspective
  A tool designed for district leadership teams in transition. A team of experts will provide an objective snapshot of your school district's current status, through a multi-day, on-site review tailored to your school district's circumstances. Possible review areas include: administrative and governance operations, financial management, and internal and external relations. (fee-based)

• The Essential Policy Manual
  The Essential Policy Manual delivers custom-tailored policy manuals to meet individual school districts' needs, including revisions, and new policies and/or regulations, to reflect the latest changes to state and federal laws and regulations. (fee-based)

• E-Policy
  E-Policy. NYSSBA converts paper policy manuals into powerful online formats that can be instantly accessed by board members, district officials and the community, or any combination that boards choose, on any computer with Internet access. It includes Internet links to provisions of state and federal laws, and relevant court decisions. (fee-based)

• Policy Update
  Let NYSSBA keep your policy manual electronically up-to-date with the latest policies, regulations and exhibits. NYSSBA monitors key changes in law and regulations at both the state and federal level that impact policy. (fee-based)

• Search Support
  NYSSBA offers several tools to help boards conduct successful administrative searches, including The Do-it-Yourself Search Manual and Superintendent's Contract Guidebook, and a teambuilding workshop called "Transitions." (fee-based)

School Service Partners Program
NYSSBA investigates companies that offer services that districts need. We've done the research to find reputable companies that can offer your district outstanding services at reasonable rates. For more information on these programs, contact NYSSBA at (800) 342-3360 or via email at info@nyssba.org.

• PaySchools
  Your school can accept secure online payments for student purchases - for everything from yearbooks to student lunches - all through your district website. PaySchools enables parents to make payments online - 24/7 - with both e-checks and credit card payments while providing district staff with secure, accurate records of transactions. It's convenient for parents, simple for students and cost-effective for schools. (fee-based)