2025 New York State Superintendent of the Year

Tarrytown UFSD Superintendent Dr. Raymond Sanchez named as the 2025 New York State Superintendent of the Year.

NYSCOSS Testimony on Foundation Aid Report

Read The Council’s testimony on the future of Foundation Aid and our approach for reviewing while providing recommended changes for the 2024-25 budget.

2024 New York State Superintendent of the Year

Bellmore Superintendent Dr. Joseph Famularo celebrated as 2024 New York State School Superintendent of the Year at the NYSCOSS Winter Institute.

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Upcoming Programs & Events

Events
August 4 - 5, 2025

New Superintendents Orientation

Designed specifically for first-year superintendents, this institute offers essential guidance, community, and practical learning to help you thrive in your new leadership role. We also invite superintendents new to the state to participate, find supports in New York and grow your network.
August 11 - 12, 2025

Diversity & Inclusivity Symposium

Join us in Ithaca, NY for our annual Diversity Symposium and Thought Leaders: Cultivating Excellence and Equity to discuss diversity and inclusion and connect in thoughtful dialogue with school districts across New York.
September 28 - 30, 2025

2025 Fall Leadership Summit

September 28 - 30, 2025

New Superintendents Institute: Fall Leadership Summit

Designed specifically for first-year superintendents, this institute offers essential guidance, community, and practical learning to help you thrive in your new leadership role. We also invite superintendents new to the state to participate, find supports and to grow your network.
September 28, 2025

Cabinet Pre-Institute

Please join us for a special pre-Institute session sponsored by the Council's Cabinet Committee focused on the influence and impact of artificial intelligence.  One of the most significant challenges facing school districts in this era is the degree to which these tools have undermined = made vulnerable- traditional, content focused goals, instructional approaches, and assessment practices. Ironically, these very tools can also be used to make these same curricular frameworks more durable by focusing on uniquely human skills, like those found in many districts’ vision of the graduate. This session will explore these challenges and provide guidance for how to future proof your instructional practices by focusing on the critical skills required by every student for success in life, learning and work beyond school. Presenter: Jonathan P. Costa, Sr. is the Executive Director of EdAvance in Litchfield, Connecticut. His experience and practice have been informed by time spent in secondary history instruction, district curriculum development, for-profit corporate management, executive leadership and consulting. Since 1990, Jonathan’s work has taken him to over 150 districts in the tri-state area. The primary focus of Jonathan’s current practice is assisting districts in their planning to prepare students for a world being transformed by artificial intelligence. He is the author of the Corwin Press book, Digital Learning for All, Now and is a former Vice Chair of the Litchfield Board of Education. He has also served on the Commission for International Education and has led international school accreditation visits on five continents. All are welcome and lunch will be provided.
October 7 - January 6, 2026

Resilient Leadership Institute

A superintendent’s steadiness shapes an entire system. This four-part series invites superintendents and assistant superintendents to look inward into the biology of stress, the psychology of compassion, and the small, repeatable moves that foster both. Each one-hour session braids: Science – concise, research-backed insights on the nervous system, cognitive load, and the ripple effects of compassionate leadership. Practice – guided micro-exercises (breath, embodiment, reflective writing) to build real-time regulation and perspective-taking skills. Community Building – structured protocols that transform the room into a circle of trust, turning isolation into collegial support. Spaced scheduling gives leaders room to apply the tools between meetings and return with lived experience, questions, and data from their own districts.
October 16, 2025

Legal Leadership in Education

Join us for our Legal Leadership in Education: Navigating Rights, Responsibilities and Risk located at our new offices in Latham, NY.
November 13 - 14, 2025

Women's Initiative Summit 2025

"Bridging Voices, Building Leaders: Women Shaping Tomorrow's Education Today
November 16 - 17, 2025

New Superintendents Institute

Designed specifically for first-year superintendents, this institute offers essential guidance, community, and practical learning to help you thrive in your new leadership role. We also invite superintendents new to the state to participate, find supports in New York and to grow your network.
December 10, 2025

New Superintendents Coffee & Conversation

Join us for a brief check in with new superintendents from around the state to discuss issues on your mind or share ideas with colleagues and NYSCOSS. Veteran superintendents will be on hand to share guidance and experiences.
January 26, 2026

New Superintendents Institute

Designed specifically for first-year superintendents, this institute offers essential guidance, community, and practical learning to help you thrive in your new leadership role. We also invite superintendents new to the state to participate, find supports in New York and to grow your network.
March 2, 2026

New Superintendents Institute: Winter Institute

Designed specifically for first-year superintendents, this institute offers essential guidance, community, and practical learning to help you thrive in your new leadership role. We also invite superintendents new to the state to participate, find supports and to grown your network.
March 25, 2026

New Superintendents Coffee & Conversation

Join us for a brief check in with new superintendents from around the state to discuss issues on your mind or share ideas with colleagues and NYSCOSS. Veteran superintendents will be on hand to share guidance and experiences.
May 20, 2026

New Superintendents Coffee & Conversation

Join us for a brief check in with new superintendents from around the state to discuss issues on your mind or share ideas with colleagues and NYSCOSS. Veteran superintendents will be on hand to share guidance and experiences.

Important Dates to Remember

Find out what’s due when and get resources to help you succeed.
Jul
25
2025
todayApplications Due
2025 Raymond R. Delaney Memorial Scholarship 
Apply for the scholarship today!
Learn how here.   
Oct
13
2025
todayFinal Application Due
NYS Superintendent of the Year Application Due
Final application due for 2025-26 award process. 
Learn about process and next steps here.  
Jan
02
2026
todayNominations Due
2026 Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship Nominations
Nominate a member for the scholarship today!
Learn how here.  
Jan
09
2026
todayNominations Due
2026 Friend of The Council Nominations
Nominate a non-member for Friend of The Council.
Learn how here.  
Jan
09
2026
todayNominations Due
2026 Appreciation Award Nominations
Nominate a member for the Appreciation Award.
Learn how here.  
Jan
16
2026
todayApplications Due
2026 Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship 
Apply for the scholarship today!
Learn how here.  
Jan
16
2026
todayApplications Due
2026 Past Presidents' Scholarship 
Apply for the scholarship today!
Learn how here. 

For New Superintendents

We offer tailored support so the transition to the superintendency is successful:

Join The Council

Explore the benefits of membership by joining or becoming a partner.

Member Spotlight

2025-2026 NYSCOSS President
Donna J. DeSiato

Superintendent
East Syracuse Minoa CSD

 

  • Hear her President's address
    at the 2025 Fall Leadership Summit.
  • East Syracuse Minoa, an exemplary
    student-centered learning community!
  • Follow her on X.

Advocacy

We exist for one reason only - to help our members succeed on behalf of the children and communities they serve. One way we pursue that goal is through advocacy - for, with, and by our members.

View resources to help advocate for your school district and community.
Ask an expert

Should I Become a Strategic Partner?

March 26, 2025

The NYSCOSS Strategic Partnership program provides opportunities for companies, associations and organizations to connect with school district leaders from all over New York State while simultaneously providing a separate revenue stream from dues to fund legal services and professional development.

To learn more, connect with Deidre Hungerford, Associate Director for Business Development, at deidre@nyscoss.org or call 518.694.4885.

New Videos

2025 Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship Presentation
Watch Now
Run Time: 7:00 Min
2024 Distinguished Service Award - Sponsored by NYSIR
Watch Now
Run Time: 9:44 Min
2025 Past Presidents' Scholarship Presentation - Sponsored by zSpace
Watch Now
Run Time: 4:00 Min
2025 Appreciation Award Ceremony - Sponsored by Mosaic Associates Architects
Watch Now
Run Time: 6:47 Min

2025 Fall Leadership Summit

Advancing Innovation:  Leading and Learning at the Pace of Change

Saratoga Springs City Center and Saratoga Hilton
Saratoga Springs, NY 

September 28-30, 2025

Education Session Call for Proposals is now closed.
Event and housing registration now open for attendees. Review event website to learn more and to register.
Publications

Councilgram: Connecting the School Leadership Community

Featured in This Issue:

  • Overview of the State Budget
  • Member News & Views
  • 2025 Fall Leadership Summit Information

Job Board

  • Superintendent of Schools
  • Location…Riverhead CSD,  Riverhead, NY
    Salary…regionally competitive
     
  • Superintendent of Schools
  • Location…South Seneca CSD,  Ovid, NY
    Salary…starting at $168,000
     
  • Superintendent of Schools
  • Location…Depew UFSD,  Depew, NY
    Salary…min. $200,000
     

Thank You to Our Strategic Partners

 

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