Mar 27th, 2026New York State Mandates Full Property Tax Exemption for Certain Disabled Veterans
Effective for the 2027-28 school year, school districts (and local governments) will need to provide a full property tax exemption to qualifying seriously disabled veterans. This change, resulting from a February 2026 amendment to Real Property Tax Law §458-a(11), makes the 100% real property tax exemption mandatory statewide without a local opt-in option.
Mar 27th, 20262026 Election Worker Training (Virtual)
Join the Ferrara Fiorenza team for our 2026 Election Workers Training Session: Election inspectors are responsible for efficiently and effectively managing the school district annual meeting and general election, including the counting of votes after polls close.
Feb 19th, 2026Addressing Performance Concerns with Probationary Employees
It may be necessary to counsel, or even discipline, employees during a probationary period. The question then becomes, can or should counseling or discipline during a probationary period be a consideration when rendering a determination on tenure for an instructional employee, or for permanent appointment of a non-instructional employee?
Feb 19th, 2026State Comptroller Opens New Year with Financial Management Audit
The New York State Comptroller has opened the new year by releasing a financial management audit of one of the State’s city school districts (the “District”), reviewing the District’s handling of fund balance and reserve funds from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2024. The audit was very critical of the District’s budgeting practices.
Jan 29th, 2026Strengthening and Protecting District Finances by Implementing Reserve Plans
Reserve plans play a major role in supporting a school district’s long term financial planning and secure financial standing. Creating reserve funds is a way to plan ahead and incrementally save money for expected future events. Reserve funds help mitigate the financial impact of major, nonrecurring or unforeseen expenditures of a school district’s operating budget.
Jan 29th, 2026New York Updates Teacher Tenure Rules and Areas
In June 2025, the New York State Education Department and Board of Regents proposed changes to teacher tenure rules and tenure areas. The changes to the tenure areas became effective October 22, 2025. These changes aim to modernize classifications and streamline the tenure process for public school teachers. Additionally, several tenure areas have been removed. All of these changes apply only to new probationary appointments; existing tenure status remains unaffected.
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