Teaching Assistant Certifications: Changes on the HorizonAug 26th, 2025
by Heather M. Cole

Teaching Assistant Certifications: Changes on the Horizon

NYSED has adopted modifications to the Regulations governing Teaching Assistant certifications.

Safety Plans to Include Cardiac Emergency Response Plan Aug 26th, 2025
by Joseph G. Shields

Safety Plans to Include Cardiac Emergency Response Plan

On July 24, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law known as Desha's Law, named after a student who died from cardiac arrest during a school basketball game.

Student Records Management: Preparing for the Upcoming School YearJul 30th, 2025
by Lindsay A. G. Plantholt

Student Records Management: Preparing for the Upcoming School Year

As the new school year approaches, now is the time for school districts and BOCES to review policies and procedures related to the management of student records. In particular, administrators and staff should review compliance with the notice provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), the federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.

Protecting The District's Real Property Tax Base and Its Interest In Payment In Lieu of Tax Agreements (PILOTS)Jul 30th, 2025
by Peter Craig

Protecting The District's Real Property Tax Base and Its Interest In Payment In Lieu of Tax Agreements (PILOTS)

School districts have two primary sources of in-state revenue. The first revenue source is State Aid, which is received from the State of New York. The second primary source of school district revenue is real property tax payments received from the school district residents and commercial businesses. A subset of the Real Property Tax Revenue is revenue received pursuant to Payments in Lieu of Tax Agreements.

Less Is More: An Approach To Board PoliciesJun 20th, 2025
by Charles "Chris" Spagnoli

Less Is More: An Approach To Board Policies

Board policy manuals can become labyrinthine, running to dozens or over a hundred individual policies. Policy services provide sample policies on a broad array of subjects. Does that mean a school district or BOCES has to have a policy on each available subject, or are there reasons to use a more restrained approach?

U.S. Supreme Court Round-Up: Student Free Speech and Section 504 ClaimsJun 20th, 2025
by Susan T. Johns

U.S. Supreme Court Round-Up: Student Free Speech and Section 504 Claims

A number of cases are before the U.S. Supreme Court this term that have the potential to impact public schools. Of note so far are two cases; one which the Court intentionally did not decide and one which it did. We anticipate the Court’s upcoming ruling regarding a parent’s right to opt their child out of certain curriculum.

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