Charting a Bold Course: Developing Leadership for Rural
and Statewide Innovation and Collaboration

April 23-24, 2026

Holiday Valley Resort, Ellicottville, NY

Register: https://bit.ly/2026ChartingABoldCourse

New York’s educational landscape is evolving rapidly—shaped by technology, policy shifts, legal challenges, and strained resources. Join us for a joint conference presented by the New York State Council of School Superintendents, the Rural Schools Association of New York, and Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES to bring together school leaders to highlight the critical role of leadership and rural voices in shaping the future of education across our state.

Why This Matters

• Leadership at All Levels
• Rural Perspectives at the Forefront
• Conversations on Shaping Statewide Policy
• Collaboration, Technology and Innovation
• Addressing Systemic Change in Under-Resourced Communities to Uplift Every Child.

Conference Promise

• Practical strategies for navigating critical legal issues that impact rural and statewide districts.

• Insight into innovative technologies transforming teaching and learning.
• Tools for leading equity-focused change in schools of every size and setting.
• A strong network of peers committed to collaboration across regions.
• Dynamic keynotes and general sessions and innovative breakout sessions

Rural voices matter. Statewide leadership matters. Together, they transform New York’s schools.

Audience: Superintendents and District Leadership Teams, School Board members

Schedule: April 23, 2026 (1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., followed by a networking reception 4:30 -6:00 p.m.

April 24, 2026 (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Cost to Attend: $379 per person, includes breaks, reception, breakfast and materials. Aidable through Cattaraugus-Allegany-Erie-Wyoming BOCES.

Location & Hotel Room Block: Holiday Valley Resort, 6557 Holiday Valley Road, Ellicottville, NY
Room block – There is a room block reserved for this event at the Holiday Valley Resort at the following rates:

$117 – Inn at Holiday Valley

$126-$134 – Tamarack Club at Holiday Valley

CANCELLATION POLICY:

The Council and LEAF, Inc. work hard to accommodate the unpredictable nature of superintendent schedules while keeping high quality programs affordable.  All cancellations must be made in writing and mailed, faxed (518-426-2229) or emailed (membership@nyscoss.org) prior to the event.  A $75 cancellation fee will be charged on all cancellations received by April 16, 2026 (one week prior to program), a $100 cancellation fee will be charged on all cancellations received between April 17-April 22, 2026 and there will be no refunds after the program start date.  No shows will be charged.  We regret we cannot accept telephone cancellations.  Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing.   

To make  your lodging reservation please use the attached form.

If paying by Purchase order for multiple people for a School District please include ALL names on the same form.

There are Two hotels at  Holiday Valley for you to select from for your accommodations. 

The Inn at Holiday Valley   

The Inn at Holiday Valley Offers:

• Short walk to Meeting Spaces in Holiday Valley Lodge
• Relaxing Outdoor gathering spaces for after the “work” is done.
• Complimentary Continental Buffet Breakfast served in the lobby daily from 7am – 10am
• Heated indoor-outdoor pool
• Outdoor hot tub
• Gazebo with Charcoal grills
• Convenient access to Hiking & Mountain Bike trails
• Easy 1 mile walk to the Village of Ellicottville
• Surrounded by the Double Black Diamond Golf Course

Resort Standard rooms have

            1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds

            Mini Fridge

            Patio or Balconies with Adirondack chairs to enjoy beautiful views of the Resort.

The Tamarack Club

The Tamarack Club offers:  

• Adjacent to meeting rooms located in Holiday Valley Lodge
• Meeting Room
• Kitchenettes in the Deluxe hotel rooms
• Full kitchens in all other rooms
• Year ‘Round Heated Swim out Outdoor pool
• Two Outdoor Hot Tubs
• Convenient access to the Double Black Diamond Golf Shop and Course
• Edna’s at the Tamarack Restaurant & Bar located on lobby level
• Oasis Spa located on lobby level

The Tamarack Club has numerous types of rooms

• Deluxe Hotel Room
• Studio Murphy Room
• Studio Room
• One Bedroom Suite
• One Bedroom with a Murphy Bed Suite     

You can view their Resort Map to get a better feel for where everything is located.