An agenda is the roadmap for a board meeting.

The board president uses it to keep meetings focused and moving forward. The agenda identifies various topics that will be discussed and actions that will be taken during the meeting.

In this episode of NYSSBA’s President’s Gavel, Jamie, Mark, and Darci answer commonly asked questions and discuss best practices for setting the agenda.

Host
Jamie McPherson, Deputy Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA

Guests
Darci D’Ercole, Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA
Mark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA

Resources

• Standard Order of Business
• Consent Agenda
• Sample Board Activity-Presentation Calendar

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

As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, school boards can now refocus on leading their districts into the future. But how is this done? And what is the role of the board in setting visionary goals that will impact all aspects of the educational program?

In this episode, Mark and Jamie ask and answer these questions.

Stay with us…

Host
Mark Snyder, Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA

Guest
Jamie McPherson, Deputy Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA

Resources
Custom Board Retreat brochure:

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

As schools reopen, and we continue to move toward normal, it’s important for districts to continue to address the gap in student learning that resulted from the pandemic. Initially referred to as “learning loss”, many educators now characterize this disruption as “learning not realized” or “unfinished learning”.

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

As a board member, you may wonder how politics might impact boards of education. In this episode, we discuss why it is critical to keep politically charged issues out of the boardroom and how to ensure that your board maintains unity when so many in our country and communities are divided.

This episode was originally released in November 2020.

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

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

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

With reorganization meetings just around the corner it’s time to start thinking about electing your board president. In this episode of President’s Gavel, Mark highlights what leadership skills matter most at the board table and shares five characteristics of a successful president.

Host
Mark Snyder, Leadership Development Manager

Resources
To learn more about NYSSBA’s Board Officers’ Forum contact [email protected]. 

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

It often takes time for newly elected school board members to feel comfortable in their new positions. This transition can become uncomfortable following a contentious election, which all too often leads to conflict on a board. But there are ways board members can ease this burden and continue functioning at a high level.

Host
Darci D’Ercole, Director of Leadership Development

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

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

Running an effective school board meeting may look slightly different from district to district. But the need to understand how to lead effectively in a polarizing climate is universal. In this episode of the President’s Gavel Darci and Harris Beach attorney, Laura Purcell, are talking Open Meetings Law, video conferencing, public comment sessions, and much more. Stay with us.

Host
Darci D'Ercole, Director of Leadership Development

Guest
Laura Purcell, Esq., Harris Beach PLLC

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

Research has proven the most successful school boards engage in a continuing process of self-evaluation and use the results, to identify opportunities for improvement. In this episode, Mark explains the why a self-evaluation tool is useful and outlines five best practices for ensuring effective outcomes.

Host
Mark Snyder, Leadership Development Manager

Resources
Stock media provided by Jeppe Reil/Pond5

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.

Host
Darci D’Ercole, Director of Leadership Development

Guests
Jamie McPherson, Deputy Director of Leadership Development
Mark Snyder, Leadership Development Manage

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

The unofficial start of the budgeting season has begun, and there is a sense of optimism about Governor Hochul’s proposed executive budget as it reflects her pledge to increase funding for school districts. 

In this episode, we will explore the board’s role in the budget development process. We will also discuss some of the factors boards should consider when planning for the financial future of their districts.

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

Guest
Michael Vespi, School Business Administrator, South Orangetown Central School District

Resources

• Questar III BOCES
• Budget Development Guidebook