New Board

There is no college degree in school boardsmanship. So, how do you learn how to be an effective board member? The Erie County Association of School Boards is pleased to provide training and information for prospective board of education candidates and for new board members.

ECASB Prospective School Board Member Workshop

Each spring, individuals interested in running for a school board seat in their local school district are invited to attend the FREE Prospective School Board Member Workshop sponsored by the Erie County Association of School Boards. For those thinking about running for their local school board, this is an opportunity to learn what it's all about, including the legal and human issues of school board service.

Participants hear perspectives on board service from a new board member and a veteran board member, and also hear advice from a school superintendent on how to establish the foundation for an effective board-superintendent relationship. A school attorney from Hodgson Russ speaks on School Board Members and the Law, and The Election Process. Prospective candidates also hear about the important role of BOCES with their local school districts.

Following the presentations, participants have the opportunity for small group discussion with presenters to follow up on topics in greater detail.

Fiscal Oversight and Responsibility Training (FORT)

We're pleased to offer Fiscal Oversight and Responsibility Training! All school board members who are elected or re-elected this year are required by law to take six hours of fiscal oversight training from an approved provider. ECASB and Erie 1 BOCES have been approved as providers of a jointly-developed, approved currciulum. This partnership allows us to offer the training at a cost much lower than other providers: only $25 for members of ECASB or Erie 1 BOCES Finance & Legislative Service if you sign up for both parts 1 and 2 on the same day. s: only $25 for members of ECASB or Erie 1 BOCES Finance & Legislative Service if you sign up for both parts I and II on the same day. (Cost to non-members is $125, still much lower than other providers!).
Call 821-7297 for the next scheduled six-hour training.

The 2008-2009 School Board Academy Series:

1. New School Board Member Academy (Held June 7, 2008)

More than 30 newly-elected school board members from area school districts attended a new board member orientation entitled, "Congratulations, You're Elected ... Now What?!," sponsored by the Erie County Association of School Boards. Many thanks to our speakers: Dr. Paul Connelly, Assistant Superintendent for Management Services, Erie 2 Chautauqua Cattaraugus BOCES; Karl Kristoff, Esq., Hodgson Russ; James Bodziak, Superintendent, East Aurora Schools; David Smaczniak, NYSSBA Area 1 Director, West Seneca Board of Education; Thomas Kulazewski, Cleveland Hill Board of Education; Candice Reimer, Director of Communications, Erie 1 BOCES and John Karlis, Community Relations Coordinator, West Seneca Central Schools.

2. Nuts and Bolts of School Finance, Budgeting, Purchasing, and Related Bargaining/Personnel Matters (Winter) Nuts & Bolts of School Finance Academy (Winter: Jan. 10, 2009)

Topics: Learn about the factors that impact and influence school district finance, and get an accountant's perspective on what to look for in budget development. Also addressed are best practices and accountability in purchasing, and budget-related issues in collective bargaining and personnel.

3. Academy on Building A High Performance Board (Coming up on Saturday, March 14, 2009)

Preparing a foundation for effective boardsmanship through effective leadership and decision-making.