Board of Directors
Susan Villers, NYSRSBA President North Tonawanda City SD Terrance Schruers President-Elect White Plains City SD Mary Beth Lovejoy, NYSRSBA Past President Phoenix CSD Gregory Beall, NYSRSBA Chappaqua CSD Margaret Boice, NYSRSBA Norwich City SD Carl Fraser Elwood UFSD Richard Longhurst Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake CSD Michael Sheperd Saranac CSD Dr. W. Bruce Watkins Briarcliff Manor UFSD
Government Relations Committee
Joan Colvin, Chair, Jericho UFSD Carl Fraser, Board Liaison, Elwood UFSD Richard Longhurst, Board Liaison, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake CSD Bruce Bonacquist, Otsego/N. Catskills BOCES Joseph Dragone, Harborfields CSD Teresa Fobare, Madison/Oneida BOCES Gregory Giammarco, Ichabod Crane CSD Stephen Golas, Questar III BOCES Pamela Hatfield, Averill Park CSD Michael Kelly, Warrensburg CSD Robert Libby, Cohoes CSD Susan Martin, Shenendehowa CSD Paul Milograno, Whitesboro CSD Michael Ouimet, Greenwich CSD William Pastore, Westbury UFSD Lauren Poehlman, Utica City SD Greg Race, NYSRSBA, Oneida City SD Nelson Ronsvalle, Greenburgh CSD #7 Neysa Sensenig, Marlboro CSD Patricia Service, Questar III BOCES Rajni Shah, Buffalo City SD Gerald Stuitje, Lockport City SD Sheila Tufankjian, NYSRSBA, LaFayette CSD
Priorities for Our Schools
A Grassroots Campaign for Sound Educational Management
Staff
George Perry Executive Director Steven Van Hoesen Director of Government Relations Matthew Cardinale Information Services Coordinator Laura de la Cruz Staff Associate Debbie Eberle Administrative Assistant for Finance Christine Nagelsmith Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director Gina Longhurst Receptionist
New York State Association of School Business Officials 7 Elk Street, Albany, New York 12207 Phone: 518-434-2281 Fax: 518-434-1303
E-mail inquiries to: Steven Van Hoesen, Director of Government Relations steve@nysasbo.org
For All of New York’s Children
A Grassroots Campaign
Fellow School Business Officials:
“If not now, when? If not us, who?"
NYSASBO believes the time is now for school business officials to make their voices heard at the local level all across the state.
Emerson said that “difficulties exist in order to be surmounted.” Surely, making an impact on our dysfunctional state government (both the Governor and the State Legislators) seems to be an insurmountable task. However, through your suppor t of the grassroots effor t we on the Government Relations Committee believe that NYSASBO can have an impact on the current critical issues in school finance. Great things are accomplished by a series of small things brought together. WE NEED YOU. We hope you will join our grassroots effort to promote sound management of our educational resources. We believe that through the Association’s advocacy efforts school business officials will be viewed as key players in shaping public policy for the benefit of public education. Our combined efforts to impact these critical school finance decisions can indeed make the difference in the quality of education for all the children in New York State.
Speak Out
Priorities for Our Schools
Education Finance Reform to provide predictability/stability; flexibility/ transparency; administrative efficiency and clarity; equity; and adequacy for all of New York’s school children. Contingent Budget Reform to eliminate redundant laws imposing overly restrictive rules on school districts. Appropriate Financial Oversight of School Districts to ensure public trust without placing an unreasonable burden on schools. Charter School Reform to relieve schools of an unfair and unnecessary financial burden. Wicks Law Reform to let school districts realize huge savings on construction. State Budget Reform to allow school districts to present a complete and accurate financial plan to voters.
“Why will policy-makers listen to me?”
You are an expert in school business management and can offer valuable insights regarding education policy development. You represent a local school district and can provide important information about the concerns unique to your legislative district. You are a member of NYSASBO, a recognized professional association representing business officials in nearly every New York school district. You are a constituent, elected officials are concerned about your vote.
In the Government Relations section of the NYSASBO website you will be able to... Learn more about NYSASBO’s public policy agenda. Link to your local legislator. Monitor current legislation affecting school management and finance. Discover more about the New York State legislative process. Download advocacy toolkits with sample letters, talking points, and resolutions in support of NYSASBO’s positions.
visit www.nysasbo.org click “Government Relations”
Stay on top of the issues with the NYSASBO Reporter NewsWire: From the State Capitol The NYSASBO REPORTER NewsWire is an information service providing NYSASBO members with critical updates via e-mail. The NewsWire: From the State Capitol includes news regarding the Governor, the State Legislature, the State Education Department, and other state agencies, as well as additional information relevant to school business affairs. It also offers information about how NYSASBO members can become involved in effectively engaging state government. Find in-depth coverage of public policy issues each month in The Reporter.
“What can I do?”
Foster and maintain a mutually informative relationship with elected officials. Stay current on important education management and finance issues, particularly those issues on the NYSASBO government relation’s agenda. Respond to NYSASBO and your chapter requests to write, fax, e-mail, and call your local state legislator. Encourage other local school business officials and members of the public to join NYSASBO’s grassroots efforts. Let NYSASBO know about the issues important to your school district.
Let’s work together to develop public policies that ensure the sound management of New York’s schools...
Joan L. Colvin, Ed. D.
Government Relations Chairperson
Susan L. Villiers, NYSRSBA
President, NYSASBO
For All of New York’s Children