Advertise on podcast: NYSSBA's President's Gavel Podcast

Good governance is about strong board-superintendent relations! Today’s podcast is about the board of education and its relationship with the new superintendent. We so clearly invest in hiring a superintendent; hours go into the interview process, searching for the right candidate, preparing for the interview, doing the interviews.  And then making the decision to choose the right candidate. There is a well-deserved sigh of relief when that occurs, but the job of transitioning to a new superintendent is not over.  For the board and others, it has really just begun.     Here with us today is Dr. Darcy Woodcock, to tell us a bit about her recipe for success as she has transitioned now in two districts, and what that transition for success looks like. HostDarci D’Ercole, Chief Governance and  Leadership Development Officer, NYSSBA GuestDr. Darcy Woodcock, Superintendent for Jamesville DeWitt Central School District Resources (NYSSBA On Board Articles) 7 questions every school board should ask the superintendent7 Ways to build the board-supt relationshipEstablishing a strong board-superintendent relationshipEvaluations-An opportunity to build a stronger board-supt relationshipFor better board-supt. relations, clarifyHired a new superintendent - Great startHow to support your superintendentLittle things can make a big difference for superintendentsSchedule your Custom Board Retreat today! Contact Ellen Kramek at 518-783-3753 or via email at [email protected].   Have a question about today’s topic? NYSSBA Leadership Development Trainers are here to help! Send you your questions to [email protected].     Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

Have you ever sat in a board meeting where things just… unraveled?   The agenda starts strong but quickly goes off track. Conversations drift. Tensions rise.  Voices overlap. And by the end of the meeting, you’re left wondering what was accomplished. Now, here’s the important question: Was that a board problem or a leadership problem? In many cases, it comes down to one critical role: the board president. Today, we’re going to talk about what school boards should be thinking about when electing their board president. Because this decision is about far more than filling a seat. It’s about setting the tone, direction and effectiveness of your entire governance team. HostMark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA Resources (NYSSBA On Board Articles) 7 key roles of every board president7 questions board presidents should ask themselvesSchool board vice presidents can be much more than benchwarmersThe role of the school board presidentSchedule your Custom Board Retreat today! Contact Ellen Kramek at 518-783-3753 or via email at [email protected].   Have a question about today’s topic? NYSSBA Leadership Development Trainers are here to help! Send you your questions to [email protected].     Stock media provided by www.pond5.com  Stock media provided by Jeppe Reil/www.pond5.com

In this episode of the President's Gavel, we’re talking about something almost every board member thinks at some point: “I wish I had known that when I first started.” We’ll share a few of those lessons—so you can lead with more confidence and maybe help the next new member avoid a few surprises along the way. We’ll talk about early challenges, a few unexpected realities and the kinds of insights that really only come with time—offering guidance to help you and the next generation of board members lead with more confidence and clarity. HostAnn Laszewski, Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA Guest Mark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA Resources NYSSBA’s New Member HandbookNYSSBA’s Onboard New Members GuideNYSSBA’s Effective School Board Meetings FAQNYSSBA’s Executive Session FAQNYSSBA’s Public Comment Session FAQNYSSBA’s Social Media FAQOn Board article: Congratulations on your election! Now whatOn Board article: How to maximize your impact in your first year on the boardOn Board article: Some things that I wish I had known during my first year on the boardSchedule your Custom Board Retreat today! Contact Ellen Kramek at 518-783-3753 or via email at [email protected].  Have a question about today’s topic? NYSSBA Leadership Development Trainers are here to help! Send you your questions to [email protected].  Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

The line between meaningful oversight and overstepping into operations isn’t always clear—and it’s in that gray area where even well-intentioned board members can get off track. School board members step into their roles wanting to help, but good intentions don’t always translate into good governance. In this episode, we explore that gray area through real-world scenarios, highlighting common pitfalls that can lead members astray and practical strategies to stay grounded in their role, work effectively with their superintendent and build positive relationships. HostJamie McPherson, Deputy Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA GuestsDarci D’Ercole, Chief Governance and  Leadership Development Officer, NYSSBAMark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA ResourcesSchedule your Custom Board Retreat today! Contact Ellen Kramek at 518-7833753 or via email at [email protected].  Have a question about today’s topic? NYSSBA Leadership Development Trainers are here to help!  Send you your questions to [email protected]. Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

What does it look like when a student has a real seat at the table? In this episode, we hear how one ex officio student board member turned curiosity about his district into meaningful advocacy by shaping decisions, strengthening connections and proving that the student voice can truly make an impact. HostDarci D’Ercole, Chief Governance and Leadership Development Officer, NYSSBA GuestMatthew (Matt) Wohlstadter, Ex Officio Student Member and Peer Leader at Chappaqua Central School District ResourcesSchedule your Custom Board Retreat today! Contact Ellen Kramek at 518-7833753 or via email at [email protected].  Have a question about today’s topic? NYSSBA Leadership Development Trainers are here to help! Send you your questions to [email protected].  Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

Across the state, boards of education are working hard to help ensure their budgets are fiscally responsible to taxpayers while staying firmly rooted in their district’s priorities. It’s within this balancing act that boards are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the budget reflects the community’s core values and aligns its limited resources to optimizing student success and long-term stability. In this episode, we dive into what school boards need to know about state aid categories, identify some of the biggest challenges we’re facing and provide practical strategies you can bring back to your board table to help ensure a successful budget vote. HostMark Snyder, Leadership Development Senior Manager, NYSSBA GuestBrian Freeman, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Webster CSD Resources • Budgeting is more than an annual process• How to have a successful budget season• The board's role in budget development NYSSBA’s Advocacy OverviewQuestions about advocacy? Contact NYSSBA staff members: Brian Fessler, Chief Advocacy Officer or Caroline Bobick, Deputy Director of Governmental and External Relations  Have a question about today’s topic? NYSSBA Leadership Development Trainers are here to help! Send you your questions to [email protected].  Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

This month on the President’s Gavel, we’re diving into topics that are sure to pique the interest of our listeners: Updates on the U.S. Department of Education Federal funding The potential for another government shutdown How education funding is at the center of many debates Tune in now to stay ahead of the curve. HostMark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA GuestCaroline Bobick, Deputy Director of Governmental and External Relations, NYSSBA Resources  Memo in support of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids ActNYSSBA’s federal priorities memosFor more information contact Caroline Bobick, Deputy Director of Governmental and External Relations at [email protected].  February 1-3, 2026NSBA National Advocacy Institute: We invite you to join us in Washington, DC for the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) Annual Advocacy Institute. The event is focused on advocacy skills and federal priorities along with a Hill Day. Several members of the Governmental Relations Department will be on hand attending sessions, and we will be scheduling meetings with members of the New York Delegation.  Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

In your role as a school board member, have you ever wondered - are we even asking the right questions? You are not alone! On today’s episode of the President’s Gavel, Leadership Development trainers Jamie McPherson and Ann Lazewski will answer some common but very important questions school board members often ask, like: Are we aligned with our district’s mission and vision? How can we foster strong, transparent, community relationships that allow room for all voices to be heard while still providing clear information and addressing misinformation? How do we ensure all students are being served? It’s not just about access, it’s about impact. Stay with us as we answer these questions and more! HostAnn Laszewski, Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA GuestJamie McPherson, Deputy Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA Resources NYSSBA’s Board Self-EvaluationSuperEval’s Board Self-EvaluationHave a question about a topic not covered on today’s show? Send your questions to NYSSBA’s Leadership Development Team at [email protected].  Ready to dig deeper on topic covered on today’s show? Schedule a Custom Board Retreat today! Contact Ellen Kramek at 518-7833753 or via email at [email protected].  For questions contact Zac Adams, NYSSBA’s Business Development and Member Relations Manager at 518.783.3726 or via email at [email protected]  Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

In today’s conversation, we’ll explore how strategic planning can serve as a catalyst for growth and improvement. We’ll look at how it engages diverse stakeholders, fosters transparency and helps school boards make more informed, aligned decisions. We’ll also discuss how setting clear priorities and long-term goals can strengthen governance and drive impactful, system-wide change. Whether your district is just beginning the planning process or looking to revisit and refresh its goals, this episode offers valuable insights on how to turn vision into reality—and build a strong foundation for a successful future. HostAnn Laszewski, Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA GuestsDr. Lance Lohman, Superintendent, Longwood Central School District Victoria Molloy, Board President, Longwood Central School District ResourcesNeed help with your district’s strategic plan? Schedule your Custom Board Retreat today! For more information contact [email protected].  Have a question or a topic idea? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]. Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

This month on The President’s Gavel, we’re revisiting a popular session from this year's Leadership in Education Event: “Critical Thinking Through Media Literacy.” In this episode, you'll learn about media literacy and why understanding it is crucial for anyone involved in educating students today. Our guests will share why it is more important than ever to help children think critically about what they see and hear via the media they consume. We'll also discuss how we can empower students to thrive in today's media landscape. Host Ann Laszewski, Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA GuestsDr. Michael J. Doughty, Assistant Superintendent, Northeastern Regional Information Center, Capital Region BOCES Katherine Hammill, Director, Mid-Hudson Regional Information Center, Ulster BOCES ResourcesHave a question or a topic idea? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]. Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

Agendas are the roadmap for board meeting. They help the board president keep discussions focused and on track, while clearly outlining the topics to be addressed and the actions to be taken. In this episode of the President’s Gavel Jamie, Mark and Darci answer commonly asked questions and discuss best practices for setting the agenda. HostJamie McPherson, Deputy Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA GuestsDarci D’Ercole, Chief Governance and Leadership Development Officer, NYSSBA Mark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA Resources Standard Order of BusinessConsent AgendaSample Board Activity-Presentation Calendar*Stock media provided by www.pond5.com.

School boards may seem local and low-profile, but they’re at the heart of today’s biggest battles over education, governance and democracy. In this episode, we discuss why school boards matter more than ever—and how they can help rebuild trust, strengthen schools and model civil discourse in a divided time. HostDarci D’Ercole Chief Governance and Leadership Development Officer, NYSSBA GuestScott Levy Adjunct Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education Author, Why School Boards Matter: Reclaiming the Heart of Education and Democracy Byram Hills Central School District Board of Education ResourcesHave a question or a topic idea? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].  Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

With reorganization meetings just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about electing your board president. In this episode of President’s Gavel, Mark highlights what leadership skills matter most at the board table and shares five characteristics of a successful president. HostMark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager Resources• Superintendent and Board Self-Evaluation Tools• SuperEval To learn more about NYSSBA’s Board Officers’ Forum, contact [email protected]. To learn more about SuperEval contact Bob Hartz at 1-844-312-EVAL (3825).  *Stock media provided by Jeppe Reil/Pond5

School board elections just happened. Is your board prepared to onboard new members? An effective onboarding process benefits new members by helping them acclimate quickly while avoiding common pitfalls that can strain relations. Through a proactive plan, boards can support their new members while building trust, collaboration and unity on the governance team. This enables them to focus better on advancing positive student outcomes without unnecessary distractions. HostJamie McPherson, Deputy Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA GuestMark Snyder, Senior Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA Resources NYSSBA’s FAQ: Onboarding New Board Members GuideOnboarding ChecklistOn Board article - Developing an effective onboarding processOn Board article - The importance of welcoming new school board membersNYSSBA’s FAQ: Onboarding New Board Members GuideOnboarding ChecklistNeed help developing your board operations handbook? Request a Custom Board Retreat here. For more information about NYSSBA’s Custom Board Retreats contact [email protected].  Stock media provided by www.pond5.com

In this episode, we discuss the ex officio student board member. While about one-third of New York school boards already include student representatives, new legislation mandates that all public-school districts and BOCES include a student member on their school board. Meeting this goal takes more than just a seat at the table – it requires good faith, mutual respect and a genuine partnership. That’s what we’re here to explore in this episode: how to fully embrace the ex officio student board member role in ways that empower students, strengthen board decisions and enrich the experience for everyone through deeper civic engagement and inclusive leadership. HostDarci D’Ercole, Chief Governance and Leadership Development Officer, NYSSBA GuestsDavid Lilleck, Superintendent, Orchard Park Central School District Luke Lippitt, Ex Officio Student Board Member, Orchard Park Central School District and Northeast Vice President of the National Student Board Member Association Zachary Patterson, Chair of the Board of Advisors, National Student Board Member Association Resources NYSSBA’s Ex Officio Student Board Member Implementation Resources webpageNational Student Board Member AssociationHave a question or a topic idea? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].  Stock media provided by www.pond5.com