Have you ever sat in a board meeting where things just… unraveled?

The agenda starts strong but quickly goes off track. Conversations drift. Tensions rise.  Voices overlap. And by the end of the meeting, you’re left wondering what was accomplished.

Now, here’s the important question: Was that a board problem or a leadership problem?

In many cases, it comes down to one critical role: the board president.

Today, we’re going to talk about what school boards should be thinking about when electing their board president. Because this decision is about far more than filling a seat. It’s about setting the tone, direction and effectiveness of your entire governance team.

Host:
Mark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA

Resources (NYSSBA On Board Articles)

• 7 key roles of every board president
• 7 questions board presidents should ask themselves
• School board vice presidents can be much more than benchwarmers
• The role of the school board president

Schedule your Custom Board Retreat today! Contact Ellen Kramek at 518-783-3753 or via email at [email protected].

Have a question about today’s topic? NYSSBA Leadership Development Trainers are here to help! Send you your questions to [email protected].  

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In this episode of the President's Gavel, we’re talking about something almost every board member thinks at some point: “I wish I had known that when I first started.” We’ll share a few of those lessons—so you can lead with more confidence and maybe help the next new member avoid a few surprises along the way.

We’ll talk about early challenges, a few unexpected realities and the kinds of insights that really only come with time—offering guidance to help you and the next generation of board members lead with more confidence and clarity.

Host
Ann Laszewski, Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA

Guest
Mark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA

Resources

• NYSSBA’s New Member Handbook
• NYSSBA’s Onboard New Members Guide
• NYSSBA’s Effective School Board Meetings FAQ
• NYSSBA’s Executive Session FAQ
• NYSSBA’s Public Comment Session FAQ
• NYSSBA’s Social Media FAQ
• On Board article: Congratulations on your election! Now what
• On Board article: How to maximize your impact in your first year on the board
• On Board article: Some things that I wish I had known during my first year on the board

Schedule your Custom Board Retreat today! Contact Ellen Kramek at 518-783-3753 or via email at [email protected]. 

Have a question about today’s topic? NYSSBA Leadership Development Trainers are here to help! Send you your questions to [email protected]. 

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The line between meaningful oversight and overstepping into operations isn’t always clear—and it’s in that gray area where even well-intentioned board members can get off track. School board members step into their roles wanting to help, but good intentions don’t always translate into good governance.

In this episode, we explore that gray area through real-world scenarios, highlighting common pitfalls that can lead members astray and practical strategies to stay grounded in their role, work effectively with their superintendent and build positive relationships.

Host
Jamie McPherson, Deputy Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA

Guests
Darci D’Ercole, Chief Governance and  Leadership Development Officer, NYSSBA
Mark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA

Resources
Schedule your Custom Board Retreat today! Contact Ellen Kramek at 518-7833753 or via email at [email protected]. 

Have a question about today’s topic? NYSSBA Leadership Development Trainers are here to help! 

Send you your questions to [email protected]. Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

What does it look like when a student has a real seat at the table? In this episode, we hear how one ex officio student board member turned curiosity about his district into meaningful advocacy by shaping decisions, strengthening connections and proving that the student voice can truly make an impact.

Host
Darci D’Ercole, Chief Governance and Leadership Development Officer, NYSSBA

Guest
Matthew (Matt) Wohlstadter, Ex Officio Student Member and Peer Leader at Chappaqua Central School District

Resources
Schedule your Custom Board Retreat today! Contact Ellen Kramek at 518-7833753 or via email at [email protected]. 

Have a question about today’s topic? NYSSBA Leadership Development Trainers are here to help! Send you your questions to [email protected]. 

Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

Across the state, boards of education are working hard to help ensure their budgets are fiscally responsible to taxpayers while staying firmly rooted in their district’s priorities. It’s within this balancing act that boards are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the budget reflects the community’s core values and aligns its limited resources to optimizing student success and long-term stability.

In this episode, we dive into what school boards need to know about state aid categories, identify some of the biggest challenges we’re facing and provide practical strategies you can bring back to your board table to help ensure a successful budget vote.

Host
Mark Snyder, Leadership Development Senior Manager, NYSSBA

Guest
Brian Freeman, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Webster CSD

Resources
• Budgeting is more than an annual process
• How to have a successful budget season
• The board's role in budget development

• NYSSBA’s Advocacy Overview

Questions about advocacy? Contact NYSSBA staff members: Brian Fessler, Chief Advocacy Officer or Caroline Bobick, Deputy Director of Governmental and External Relations 

Have a question about today’s topic? NYSSBA Leadership Development Trainers are here to help! Send you your questions to [email protected]. 

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This month on the President’s Gavel, we’re diving into topics that are sure to pique the interest of our listeners: Updates on the U.S. Department of Education Federal funding The potential for another government shutdown How education funding is at the center of many debates Tune in now to stay ahead of the curve.

Host
Mark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA

Guest
Caroline Bobick, Deputy Director of Governmental and External Relations, NYSSBA

Resources 

• Memo in support of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act
• NYSSBA’s federal priorities memos

For more information contact Caroline Bobick, Deputy Director of Governmental and External Relations at [email protected]. 

February 1-3, 2026
NSBA National Advocacy Institute: We invite you to join us in Washington, DC for the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) Annual Advocacy Institute. The event is focused on advocacy skills and federal priorities along with a Hill Day. Several members of the Governmental Relations Department will be on hand attending sessions, and we will be scheduling meetings with members of the New York Delegation. 

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In your role as a school board member, have you ever wondered - are we even asking the right questions? You are not alone! On today’s episode of the President’s Gavel, Leadership Development trainers Jamie McPherson and Ann Lazewski will answer some common but very important questions school board members often ask, like: Are we aligned with our district’s mission and vision? How can we foster strong, transparent, community relationships that allow room for all voices to be heard while still providing clear information and addressing misinformation? How do we ensure all students are being served? It’s not just about access, it’s about impact. Stay with us as we answer these questions and more!

Host
Ann Laszewski, Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA

Guest
Jamie McPherson, Deputy Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA

Resources

• NYSSBA’s Board Self-Evaluation
• SuperEval’s Board Self-Evaluation

Have a question about a topic not covered on today’s show? Send your questions to NYSSBA’s Leadership Development Team at [email protected]. 

Ready to dig deeper on topic covered on today’s show? Schedule a Custom Board Retreat today! Contact Ellen Kramek at 518-7833753 or via email at [email protected]. 

For questions contact Zac Adams, NYSSBA’s Business Development and Member Relations Manager at 518.783.3726 or via email at [email protected] 

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In today’s conversation, we’ll explore how strategic planning can serve as a catalyst for growth and improvement. We’ll look at how it engages diverse stakeholders, fosters transparency and helps school boards make more informed, aligned decisions. We’ll also discuss how setting clear priorities and long-term goals can strengthen governance and drive impactful, system-wide change. Whether your district is just beginning the planning process or looking to revisit and refresh its goals, this episode offers valuable insights on how to turn vision into reality—and build a strong foundation for a successful future.

Host
Ann Laszewski, Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA

Guests
Dr. Lance Lohman, Superintendent, Longwood Central School District
Victoria Molloy, Board President, Longwood Central School District

Resources
Need help with your district’s strategic plan? Schedule your Custom Board Retreat today! For more information contact [email protected]. 

Have a question or a topic idea? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]. Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

This month on The President’s Gavel, we’re revisiting a popular session from this year's Leadership in Education Event: “Critical Thinking Through Media Literacy.” In this episode, you'll learn about media literacy and why understanding it is crucial for anyone involved in educating students today.

Our guests will share why it is more important than ever to help children think critically about what they see and hear via the media they consume. We'll also discuss how we can empower students to thrive in today's media landscape.

Host
Ann Laszewski, Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA

Guests
Dr. Michael J. Doughty, Assistant Superintendent, Northeastern Regional Information Center, Capital Region BOCES
Katherine Hammill, Director, Mid-Hudson Regional Information Center, Ulster BOCES

Resources
Have a question or a topic idea? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].

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