About Us - President Message


President's Message
Colleen A. Sloan, Esq.

December 1, 2009

Dear NYSASA Colleagues:

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to report on the Association’s many accomplishments of the past year, as we worked to ensure that our organization continues to be relevant, meaningful and valuable to each and every one of you.

Of greatest significance is the Board of Directors’ participation in its first-ever “retreat” held over a three day period in March of this year.  Set in motion by my predecessors, this retreat provided the Board with a valuable opportunity to examine in depth the Association’s current mission, governance structure and operations.  The outcome of the retreat was a comprehensive set of recommendations for specific actions to be taken 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.  (Special thanks and appreciation go to NYSASA members John Gross, Greg Guercio and Ben Ferrara for their generosity as hosts during the retreat.) 

I am pleased to announce that as a direct result of the retreat, the Association explored and accepted a proposal from the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) to provide association management services to our organization.  This will assist us in more effectively meeting day-to-day operational needs.  With our sincere thanks to Tim Kremer, Rita Lashway and Jay Worona, we look forward to more fully utilizing the services of NYSSBA staff to facilitate information technology and website management, marketing, public relations and advocacy. 

We were busy this year, as usual, planning programs we hope will be of use to practicing school attorneys.  For example, the Association’s 9th Annual School Attorney Law Conference was held at the Sagamore Resort on Lake George in Bolton Landing, New York on May 29-31.  Co-chairs Tom Volz and Ben Ferrara arranged a timely and informative program and slate of speakers on topics of particular relevance in these difficult financial times.  Included was “Reductions in Force,” “Bargaining in Tough Times,” “Contingency Budgets and Alternative Sources of Revenue,” and “Evaluation of Staff, Discipline and 3020-a.”   Kathy A. Ahearn, Esq. presented for the last time at our conference in her capacity as Counsel and Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs at the New York State Education Department. 

Please mark your calendars for next year’s conference, which will be held at the Sagamore Resort on June 4-6, 2010.  New this year - if you’re interested in being considered as a speaker for next year’s conference, instructions on submitting a proposal to present will be posted in the coming weeks on our website at www.nysasa.org and through NYSASA’s E-Mail Group (Listserv).  Also new - our plan is to offer an “early bird” session on the first day of the conference – be on the lookout for more information in the registration materials as we get closer to the date.

On October 15, 2009, the 13th Annual Pre-Convention School Law Seminar, co-sponsored with NYSSBA, was held in New York City and from all reports was a great success.  Presentations included “Sexting – Code of Conduct Violation or More?” and “The Changing Face of Employment Laws.”  Participants were moved by emotional yet informative presentations on safety initiatives put in place in the 10 years since the Columbine tragedy, and student suicide.  Legal updates, as well as an overview of recent developments from the perspective of SED’s Acting Legal Counsel, were shared.

Looking ahead, I’d 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.

In closing, it has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve as President of NYSASA this year.  My colleagues in NYSASA and at NYSSBA are second to none.  I am excited about NYSASA’s future, and I hope you will join me in welcoming Christopher F. Venator, Esq., of Ingerman Smith LLP, who will serve as your new President.

My best wishes to you and your families for a healthy, happy year in 2010.

Very truly yours,