About Us - President Message


President's Message
Christopher Venator, Esq.

April 2010

Dear NYSASA Colleagues:

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I’m delighted to welcome you to the NYSASA website and to report on recent and upcoming Association events and developments. As always, we’re working to ensure that our organization continues to be relevant, meaningful and valuable to each and every one of you.

As we recently reported, the Board of Directors has developed a comprehensive set of recommendations to be implemented over the next three to five years, all designed to increase the Association’s public profile, relevance and the effectiveness of its operations, and to improve upon the benefits and opportunities provided to members.

I’m pleased to announce that one such recommendation has been implemented. In March, we entered into an agreement with the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) to provide management services to our organization. This will assist us in more effectively meeting day-to-day operational needs. With thanks to Tim Kremer, Rita Lashway and Jay Worona, we will be utilizing the services of NYSSBA staff to facilitate information technology and website management, marketing, public relations and advocacy. To that end, look for coming changes to this website and other means of increased visibility for our association.

NYSASA’s 10th Annual School Attorney Law Conference will be held at the Sagamore Resort on Lake George in Bolton Landing, New York on June 4- 6. Our thanks to co-chairs Laura Granelli and Michael Lambert for arranging a timely, informative program and a slate of speakers on topics particularly relevant in these difficult financial times. You’ll hear the latest on topics such as alternative funding sources for school districts, the legal implications of work stoppages, and the ethical issues in representing multiple municipal clients, as well as the hot topics in special education and the legal issues school districts face in the era of social networking websites.

New this year - an “early bird” sessionon the first day of the conference. We have a great program Friday afternoon, June 4, on “Education Law Basics” — all designed with new attorneys in mind.

Also on Friday, June 4, we’ll have the annual roundtable discussion about the State Education Department with Acting Counsel and Deputy Commissioner Erin M. O’Grady-Parent.

Click here here for more information about the Sagamore conference.

I’d also like to welcome the newest members of NYSASA’s Board of Directors. Joseph G. Shields, Esq. of Ferrara, Fiorenza, Larrison, Barrett & Reitz, P.C. was elected in May to fill a vacancy on the Board. Kathy A. Ahearn, Esq., now in private practice with Guercio & Guercio, LLP, was elected as the new Director for 2010. Both Joe and Kathy will be tremendous assets to the organization, and we look forward to working with them.

I hope you’ll be a regular visitor to this website and that we’ll be seeing you at the Sagamore in June.

Very truly yours,

Christopher Ventator