here is the N-SSBA Newsline Newsletter December 2024

Newsline

Service, Support & Advocacy

December

2024

Our Executive Committee

Our Calendar of Events

Contact Our N-SSBA Staff

Bob Vecchio

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N-SSBA wants to thank our Strategic Partner Sponsor

Congratulations to the Manhasset Varsity Boys Cross Country Team on Their 1st State Championship

Executive Director's Message

As we head into 2025, we have several items we are keeping a close eye on. First, will be the release of Governor Hochul's budget proposal towards the end of January. She has gone on record stating that she no longer wants to eliminate the save harmless provision from the Foundation Aid formula calculation.

This is welcome news, compared to her proposal last year which would have negatively impacted so many districts on Long Island. We will wait and see what the Governor proposes for State Aid to our schools for 2025-2026 and we will provide our membership with an analysis of the budget specific to our region.

With this change in her policy stance, we now call upon the Governor and the State Legislators not to act upon the Rockefeller Institute's recommendations for modifying the Foundation Aid formula. At the very beginning of their report, the Rockefeller Institute stated if they had more than 7 months to study the formula, they could have done a deeper analysis and could have conducted a full cost study so that they could properly review and possibly recalibrate the base Foundation Aid amount, something we advocated for when we testified before the Rockefeller Institute.

Given the importance and impact of the formula, it's more important to get it done correctly as opposed to doing something quickly. To adopt something short of a complete review of this complex formula, would be a disservice to public education in New York State.

Another top advocacy priority for us this year is delaying the deadlines associated with the zero emissions busing mandate. Starting in 2027 any new buses purchased must be zero emissions buses, and the financial impact is significant. We call upon the State legislature to "pump the brakes" on this mandate and push back the deadlines as the State has already done with their own mandates over the State's fleet of vehicles.

We have coordinated several meetings since the summer with our State officials briefing them on a variety of issues including the ones mentioned above. At the most recent meeting held on 12/18/24, we had several newly elected State officials attend the meeting, and they were extremely engaged and thoughtful in their comments and questions that they asked of us.

If your district is represented by a new member of the Assembly or Senate, this is a great opportunity for your governance team to establish a strong working relationship with that official so that they turn to you as a reliable resource of information when they need it in their new roles.

In addition, the Long Island Education Coalition which N-SSBA co-chairs, along with the Long Island Association has released the 2024 Costs and Outcomes Report. This report features important statistics and data about public education on Long Island along with trends noted over 10 years. You can find the report here.

Be sure to read the article about Dyspraxia. If you're like me, you've never heard about it, and it was certainly eye opening to learn about this issue.

Be sure to sign up for the Annual Joint Conference (see the flyer below). There will be organizations promoting resources that are available to districts to help deal with the mental health crisis our communities are experiencing, as well as other important information that will be shared. Hope to see you all on 1/23/25!

Lastly, wishing all of you and your families, a very healthy and happy 2025!

N-SSBA Out & About

Below is a listing of meetings and events that N-SSBA attended and participated in:

12/2 - Met with Assemblyman Elect Tommy John Schiavoni 1^st Assembly District

12/2 - Attended the annual American Jewish Committee (AJC) meeting (Syosset)

12/3 - Attended the NYSSBA Legislative State Budget webinar

12/4 - Recorded a radio show with Freeport SD

12/5 - Attended the annual WS BOCES Board Dinner (Wilson Tech Center)

12/9 - Recorded a radio show with Manhasset SD

12/10 - Facilitated the Mandate Relief Workgroup meeting virtually

12/10 - Attended the 100^th Anniversary Celebration of the South Huntington SD (South Huntington)

12/11 - Attended the monthly meeting of the LIEC (WS BOCES)

12/11 - Facilitated a virtual meeting with the Foundation Aid Formula Workgroup to review the Rockefeller Institute’s report on Foundation Aid Reform

12/11 - Hosted N-SSBA’s webinar on the Legal Structure of Public Education in NYS

12/16 - Recorded a radio show with Great Neck SD

12/17 - Attended the monthly virtual meeting of REFIT

12/17 - Attended the LIA Manufacturing Committee meeting (Melville)

12/18 - Hosted the 3^rd Legislative Roundtable with NYS elected officials (Wheatley Heights)

12/19 - Facilitated the virtual meeting of the Mandate Relief Workgroup

N-SSBA Honored By

Western Suffolk BOCES For Our

Advocacy Work

Spotlight On

Long Island Schools

December

Radio Shows

Click on the links below to hear the shows that aired this month.

Want to have your district on the radio?

email us at

info@nssba.org

to schedule a date

South Huntington School District Celebrates

100 Years

N-SSBA Hosts 3rd Legislative Roundtable with NYS Senators & Assemblymembers!

On 12/18/24, forty-five people attended the 3rd Legislator roundtable discussion to review the recommendations made in the Rockefeller Institute Report.

In attendance were Senators & Assemblymembers from both parties, including newly elected members interested in hearing from the educational experts and leaders on how these recommendations would impact Long Island school districts.

This month's ICYMI

Wyandanch Vocal Warriors shine at Radio City Music Hall

The Wyandanch Memorial High School Vocal Warriors recently had the exciting opportunity to perform at the iconic Radio City Music Hall.

The choir was invited to participate in the venue's "Sounds of the Season" program, which highlights choirs from across the country as they open for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

The Vocal Warriors performed the holiday classic "Carol of the Bells," impressing the audience with their harmonies and energy. The group, made up of 37 talented high school students, was thrilled to showcase their talents in such a prestigious setting.

Following their performance, the students enjoyed the Christmas Spectacular, taking in the joy of the holiday season.

This marked the first time the Wyandanch Memorial High School choir performed at Radio City Music Hall, making it a memorable experience for the students, staff and supporters in attendance.

Westhampton Beach students shine at

Youth and Government Conference

For the second year in a row, Westhampton Beach Middle School students brought home impressive awards from the New York State YMCA Youth and Government Conference, which brings together young leaders from across the region to simulate the legislative process and engage in civic discourse.

In addition to their legislative achievements, several students earned individual accolades. Matthew Palamidessi and Evan Pereyra were honored with Best Debater awards, demonstrating their exceptional oratory skills and persuasive arguments.

Michael Kessler received the Overall Delegate award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the conference, and Pereyra secured the coveted position of Next Year’s Conference Governor, a testament to his leadership abilities and potential to inspire future generations of young leaders.

Elmont’s

Dutch Broadway School enjoy hands-on science learning

Dutch Broadway School’s fourth grade scholars have recently wrapped up an engaging science unit, diving deep into the fascinating world of plants and animals.

Throughout the unit, they expanded their knowledge by reading captivating books and articles, exploring how organisms adapt to survive in their environments.

With the expert guidance of Instructional Coaches Mrs. Hernandez and Mrs. Racioppo, the fourth grade classes took part in the “Life Cycles and Traits: Circle of Life” lab. This activity reinforced key concepts about growth, reproduction and survival in living organisms.

To cap off the unit, the scholars embarked on a creative challenge: designing their very own imaginary plants and animals. These young scientists invented extraordinary creatures, each with unique characteristics that would help them thrive in a fictional habitat of their design.