We are becoming a more diverse nation, and it is evident in our k-12 school communities. There are numerous benefits for our students when we consciously pay attention to diversity in schools. However, promoting diversity is more than just encouraging acknowledgement of different ethnic backgrounds. Real diversity initiatives capture the voices from all stakeholders and find the motivational engine for change through the voices of our students. In this episode Sweet Home Central School District is located in the northern suburbs of Buffalo, NY shares their story.

Host
Darci D’Ercole, Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA

Guests
Dr. Michael Ginestre, Superintendent, Sweet Home Central School District
Lily Fisher, Student, Sweet Home Central School District

Resources
Harris Beach PLLC | Attorneys at Law: www.harrisbeach.com 
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A recent federal court decision and an informal opinion of counsel from the NYS Education Department reinterpreted the law related to special education eligibility. In this episode, we focus on special education, specifically the rules for determining when a student with a disability has aged out of the eligibility criteria. As we dive into our discussion today, please keep in mind that board members should seek legal counsel from their school attorneys when considering these important legal developments. Host: Darci D’Ercole, Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA Guests: Jeff Weiss, Esq., Harris Beach PLLC Anne McGinnis, Esq. Harris Beach PLLC RESOURCES: Harris Beach Legal Alert, 7/10/23: New York Issues Legal Opinion that School Districts Provide Special Education Services Until Age 22 https://bit.ly/3LFtH71 Harris Beach PLLC | Attorneys at Law: www.harrisbeach.com Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

Recommendations from the statewide Safe Schools Task Force on school safety highlight a need to redesign school discipline policies and practices to foster a supportive and developmentally appropriate approach to school discipline in lieu of a more traditional and punitive model. This episode highlights restorative practices, an approach to school discipline that allows students to take responsibility for their actions by repairing harm. This approach improves student behavior and school climate. Best practices in school policy to support this approach are discussed.

Host
Gayle Simidian, Governance Research Analyst, NYSSBA

Guest
Jessica Goldstein, Deputy Director of Policy Services, NYSSBA

Resources
For policy questions, email the NYSSBA Policy Team at [email protected]. 

Harris Beach PLLC | Attorneys at Law: www.harrisbeach.com 
Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

No matter how good of a fit a new superintendent may be, onboarding is an important step that supports the successful transition of any new superintendent. There are some things a board can do to help effectively onboard their superintendent. After all, the board wants to maximize the return on the district’s investment in this new education leader and help build a successful future for all students.

Host
Darci D’Ercole, Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA

Guest
Dr. Vicky Ramos, Former Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES District Superintendent

Resources
Harris Beach PLLC | Attorneys at Law: www.harrisbeach.com 
Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

As the calendars turn to July, boards of education will be preparing for their reorganization meetings. For some, these may seem like a formality, but there are very important things happening in these meetings, including newly elected board members officially taking their seats on the board and reciting the oath of office, decisions relating to the organizational structure of the district, such as the appointment of staff and responsibilities, and the election of board officers.

Resources

• On Board article: 7 Key Roles of Every Board President
• On Board article: School Board Vice President Can Be Much More Than Benchwarmers
• On Board article: The Role of the Board President

Attorneys at Law: www.harrisbeach.com 
Stock media provided by www.pond5.com.

In April of 2022, New York State established a nation-leading commitment to reduce greenhouse gas production by requiring all school buses in operation to be electric by 2035. A fully electric bus fleet will reduce harmful tailpipe emissions and our dependence on fossil fuels, but it comes with significant challenges for school districts.

In this episode, we will learn some of the challenges that lie ahead and what school board members can do now to prepare for the future.

Host
Jamie McPherson, Deputy Director of Leadership Development, New York State School Boards Association

Guest
David Christopher, Executive Director, New York Association for Pupil Transportation

Resources
www.nyserda.ny.gov/
www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus
www.wri.org/
climate.ny.gov/
www.leonardbus.com/
www.matthewsbuses.com/
www.newyorkbussales.com/

Harris Beach PLLC | Attorneys at Law: www.harrisbeach.com
Stock media provided by www.pond5.com.

Over the past few years, whether you’ve picked up a newspaper, read one online or tuned in to virtually any news broadcast, no doubt you’ve heard at least one story about social media’s harmful effects on teenagers.

This episode will spotlight this topic by highlighting research about teenagers’ own perspectives regarding social media use. Research from media scholars will explain how adults can help support youth via media literacy to help guide positive youth development and healthy hearts and minds.

Host
Gayle Simidian, Governance Research Analyst, NYSSBA

Resources
Harris Beach PLLC | Attorneys at Law: www.harrisbeach.com
Stock media provided by Jeppe Reil / www.Pond5.com

In Part II of the Agents of Change episode, we focused on the research that supports the benefits of providing equitable access and opportunities for students and the use of student voice in the decision-making process. Thanks to the feedback we’ve received from our listeners, we are happy to provide this follow-up episode.

Listen along as Mark turns theory into practice and provides specific actions that the school boards can take to ensure more equitable opportunities for students.

Host
Mark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA

Resources

• On Board Article - Why diversity, equity and inclusion is a priority
• On Board Article - Taking action to improve student outcomes
• On Board Article - How can school boards support equity
• Image of Equality-Equity Fence

Harris Beach PLLC | Attorneys at Law: www.harrisbeach.com 
Stock media provided by Jeppe Reil / www.pond5.com.

Listen to this episode to learn the answers to the following questions: How can district leaders (school board members and administration) ensure equitable access to programming and opportunities in their district? 1. How can district leaders start the conversation? 2. Why is student voice important in establishing district initiatives? 3. How can district leaders incorporate more student voice in the decision-making process? 4. What steps can be taken to get stakeholders on board with DEI-related district initiatives? Host: Mark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA Guest: Dr. Beth Bukoski, Assistant Professor and Department of Educational Leadership Coordinator, EdD in Leadership, Virginia Commonwealth University On Board Article - Why diversity, equity and inclusion is a priority: https://bit.ly/3Z86QFU On Board Article - Taking action to improve student outcomes: https://bit.ly/3Zq3Bth On Board Article - How can school boards support equity: https://bit.ly/3metlKJ Image of Equality-Equity Fence: https://bit.ly/3ZvFolv NYSSBA’s online courses, Foundations of DEI in Education and DEI in Education - The Board's Role: https://bit.ly/3Zoh8S3 Harris Beach PLLC | Attorneys at Law: www.harrisbeach.com *Stock media provided by www.pond5.com.

School boards have the responsibility to make important decisions on behalf of all students and the community they serve. Diverse perspectives and opposing viewpoints should not hinder or stifle deliberations. Understanding and implementing a consensus decision-making process can benefit your governance team and foster trust with all stakeholders. Join us to discover more about consensus building and how this process can lead to unanimous support.

Original air date: February 4, 2022.

Host
Darci D’Ercole, Director of Leadership Development

Guests
Jamie McPherson, Deputy Director of Leadership Development
Mark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager

Resources
On Board article: Why it’s critical to reach consensus

Harris Beach PLLC | Attorneys at Law:  www.harrisbeach.com
Stock media provided by www.pond5.com