June 2001 newsletter

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June 2001 vol. XV, no.6

ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING MAY 31

The association’s board of directors met in Albany on May 31st to discuss the numerous legislative and regulatory issues facing small city districts this year, and to handle several matters of association business. The Treasurer’s report showed that the association finances are in good shape, thus permitting the underwriting of a few new initiatives, i.e., the CFE amicus brief and use of consultant services of Charlie Winters.

The board approved the budget for 2001-2002 and received a report on transfer of association accounts to First Union Securities, pursuant to the cash management plan previously approved. The association will now be earning interest (approx. 4%) on all its balances, whether operating funds or cash reserves.

The board reviewed its legislative and regulatory priorities for the year and gave final approval of the position paper on charter schools. The paper will be forwarded to the Legislature and educational organizations this month. While we do not expect action on the issues in the short term, the board agreed to keep charter school funding reform as a priority, and to discuss further strategies at the next board meeting in Cooperstown on August 12^th.

The board also discussed the Hurd Aid freeze, which both the Senate and Assembly support; the Hurd Aid minimum increase, S.2570/A.2126 by Kuhl and Kolb; OCCED Aid for five non-BOCES small city districts, S.2381/A.6005 by Larkin and Canestrari; the constitutional debt ceiling bill, S.4766/A.8680 by Kuhl and Canestrari; and fingerprinting under Project SAVE. With respect to fingerprinting, the department approved regulations omitting contractor employees from the requirement where, in the board of education’s judgment, there will be no direct student contact, and the Legislature is considering bills to amend the law to allow a 90-day grace period. Nevertheless, there remain many unanswered questions, which, unfortunately may only be answered through experience. The department is aware of this.

The appeal in the Campaign For Fiscal Equity will be heard by the Appellate Division sometime in October. The State’s brief is due in early August and the plaintiff’s brief, and the Amicus brief are due on September 5^th. Attorney Michael Rebell, attorney for CFE has urged the Association to submit a brief and to send it to the Court after the State’s brief is due. Charlie Winters will be assisting the association in preparation of the brief and will be coordinating with association counsel, the association board and the state aid and educational programming committees.

Other matters discussed included the upcoming meeting with Commissioner Mills on June 26^th, a proposed new small city board member training session, coordinated through NYSSBA (Sue Skidmore and Norma Barton will be working on this), the small city school district breakfast at the NYSSBA Conference in Buffalo on October 19^th (new Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz will speak), and proposed by-law changes for the association (see resolution below). With respect to the by-law changes, the board will be acting on these at the August 12^th meeting at the Conference. The changes relate to the board quorum. The board wants to get membership input on these. Any comments, criticisms or suggestions will be appreciated.

*Resolution Approving Amendment to the By Laws of the New York State Association

of Small City School Districts, Inc.

Resolution of the New York State Association of Small City School Districts Inc., at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors held on the _____ day of ______, 2001.

Be it resolved that the By Laws of the New York State Association of Small City School Districts Inc., and hereby amended as follows:

1) Article II, Section 7 is amended to read:

“Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, [majority] one third of entire Board of Directors, provided there are present at least [four] three Superintendents from Small City School Districts in New York State and at least [four] three members of a Board of Education from Small City School Districts in New York State, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business or of any specified item of business.”

I certify that the above resolution was duly approved by a majority vote of the New York State Association of Small City School Districts, Inc., Board of Directors this ____ day of ______, 2001.

_____________________________

Secretary,

*There are currently eighteen board members. Amendments must be approved by a majority of board members present and voting.

With respect to the meeting with the Commissioner on June 26^th, the meetings will start at the offices of DeGraff-Foy at 12:00 (sandwiches provided) and then we will walk up to the Commissioner’s office at 1:00. Thereafter we will have several Legislative meetings planned for any who care to stay. The topics to be discussed include fingerprinting, drop-out reporting, Cornell-Penn State study on the standards and building aid .Any who wish to join at these meetings please notify Nancy DePaulo, 518-462-5300,518-436-0210(fax) or nd@degraff-foy.com.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Date Place Event

June 26, 2001 12:00 DeGraff-Foy preparation for Comr mtg; lunch

Albany

June 26, 2001 1:00 Education Building meeting with Commissioner

Albany

June 26, 2001 2:00-4:00 Capitol meetings with Legislature

Albany

August 12, 13, 2001 Otesaga Hotel Summer Conference, Cooperstown

October 19, 2001 Buffalo Small City District breakfast,

NYSSBA

SUMMER CONFERENCE AUGUST 12^th and 13^th

The association’s conference this year is focused on Distance Learning and what it will mean to our districts in the coming years. There will be presentations on the use of the “new technology” and the “virtual” school. Employee relations and other legal issues will be covered as well. In addition, on Sunday night, August 12^th, the guest speaker is Cornell University Professor James Garbarino. He is the well-known author of the best seller, ”Lost Boys”, and a new book, “Parents Under Siege.” We hope you can join us.

ALBANY UPDATE

The Senate is set to conclude its regular Legislative session on the 20^th as previously announced, without having acted on the State Budget. The Majority Leader has indicated that the Senate will be returning after that only to negotiate and approve the Budget. Senator Bruno, in conversations with small city school representatives has expressed his concern for the impact of late Budgets on districts and is appreciative of the uncertainty and cost they produce. Nevertheless, no substantial progress appears to have been made by either the Legislature or the Governor in reaching agreement. The Assembly, moreover, has not revealed its intentions, even with respect to the end of the regular session.

The following are the list of priority bills followed by the association for small city districts. If any are of particular concern, please contact Nancy DePaulo to let the association know.

2001 Both Houses' Bills, Using Bill File: DFHHK /SCSD-GOV, DFHHK /SCSD-RPTX, DFHHK /SCSD-STAID and Priority Codes: 01

A120A

Gantt -- Provides various reforms with respect to the enrollment and financing of charter schools

Last Act: 03/15/01 amend and recommit to education 03/15/01 print number 120a