In this episode, Darci, Jamie, and Mark discuss the positives and negatives of social media. They identify how social media can benefit a school board and provide best practices tips. They also discuss how inappropriate use of social media can break trust among board members.

This episode debuted April 28, 2020. 

As schools reopen their doors to in-person learning, many students are struggling with the transition. Concerns about learning loss are universal. In fact, more than half of public-school teachers report significant learning loss for students both academically and from a social and emotional standpoint. 

During NYSSBA’s virtual member event last month, Susanna Loeb, Director at the Annenberg Institute at Brown University and Professor of Education and International & Public Affairs, spoke about the learning needs of students following the pandemic. In today’s episode of the President’s Gavel, we continue this conversation with Susanna.

For many boards, defining their unity of purpose is still just as relevant as when this episode debuted in July 2020.

The 2021 school year is underway and school boards continue to face unique challenges brought forth by the pandemic. These challenges are made more difficult when board members are not working as a cohesive team. A unified board aligns its efforts with the vision, mission and values of its district, making it easier to address district concerns with one voice.

In the current political climate, the likelihood of differences of opinion is fairly common.  This becomes concerning when these differences of opinion hinder good governance. When this happens, it creates tension on a board and can often lead to one board member being singled out or misunderstood. Board members can also find themselves in conflict with a difficult board member. 

Learn from a longstanding school board member with 10 years of experience serving as board president, how you can help minimize destructive behavior and turn a difficult board member into an exemplary board member.

This episode was originally released in November 2019.

All school board members want what is best for their students and communities. However, there are times when passion can lead a board member to take action that reaches beyond their authority. Join us as we discuss real world examples of how board members’ best intentions lead to overstepping their roles and the implications of their actions.

Is it Oversight or Overstepping? Think you know the answer? Then we invite you to be a contestant! Test your knowledge when the Leadership Development Team brings you, Oversight or Overstepping the game show, this October in New York City during NYSSBA’s annual convention. Join the fun Tuesday, October 26 at 11:15 a.m.

When new members are elected to a school board, it often takes some time for them to feel comfortable in their new positions. In many districts, school board elections are highly contentious, which can often lead to conflict on the board and make this transition even more uncomfortable.

Join NYSSBA's Leadership Development team as they discuss how board members can ease this process and ensure the board continues to function during turnover.

Many board members, district staff, parents and students are anticipating returning to the classroom. This transition to full-time, in-person learning will impact each student differently.

In this episode we discuss the mental health and wellness of students, the challenges they faced during the past year, and strategies to support students, staff, and families through their upcoming transition.

With all this in mind, how can board members support their students and envision the future for their districts at large?

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

Guest
Amy Molloy, Director, School Mental Health Resource and Training Center, Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc. and Board Member for Queensbury Union Free School District 

As the calls for educational equity grow louder, school board members are often challenged with work that will lead the district down new paths with new goals and initiatives. Frequently, as boards take up this work, questions such as "How do we begin?" or "What is our role?" arise.

Join us as we hear about one school district’s journey toward equity and the successful outcomes they are seeing as a result.

Host
Mark Snyder, Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA 

Guest
Diane Wynne, Director of Wellness and Equity, Rush-Henrietta Central School District 

School board members have a legal responsibility to evaluate their superintendent on an annual basis, but for many board members the process can seem like a daunting endeavor.

In this episode, NYSSBA's Leadership Development team answers commonly asked questions that will help your team effectively evaluate the performance of your superintendent.

Resources

• NYSSBA’s Superintendent Evaluation instrument
• SuperEval website
• Schedule your Custom Board Retreat today!

The proposed state budget calls for an increase in aid for school districts, but relies heavily on one-time stimulus funds. In addition, the budget is based on the assumption of yet to be approved federal funding.

This uncertainty, combined with the long term ramifications of the current financial crisis, has resulted in significant challenges for school districts in developing their budgets.

School board members need to understand the financial hurdles ahead, what questions to ask, and their role in the budgeting process.

Host
Deputy Director of Leadership Development, Jamie McPherson

Guest
Chief Business & Financial Officer at Bethlehem Central School District, Judith Kehoe