Find Us

7 Elk Street
Albany, NY 12207
T: 518.449.1063
F: 518.426.2229 

About This Section . . .

Learn about our core values, mission, and vision. Connect to the people that lead this 501(c)6 association.

Contact Staff

Our staff prides itself on our excellent customer service to our members. Our knowledgeable team is here to serve you and answer your questions. Contact information can be found for each staff member below. Click on the arrow next to the person's name to find how to connect with them. 

Where to Find Us

7 Elk Street, Third Floor
Albany, NY 12207

T:  518.449.1063
F:  518.426.2229  

Council Staff

Allie B. Andress, Program & Membership Associate

E: allie@nyscoss.org

T:  518.694.4881

Allie provides support to our members by serving as the primary contact for general inquiries and database updates; answering and directing calls.  She provides support for our LEAF programs and membership. She also writes articles and reviews our monthly Councilgram newsletter. 

 

 

Vreneli G. Banks, Associate Director / Director of LEAF, Inc.

E: vren@nyscoss.org

T:  518.694.4875

Twitter:  @VreneliBanks
#NYSupts4Diversity  -  #NYSCOSSCabinet  -  #NYSCOSSNewSupts  -  #NYSCOSSAspiringSupts  -  #NYSCOSSFSA
 
As the Director of The Council's Foundation - LEAF, Inc., Vren works closely with LEAF's Board of Directors to provide professional development to school leaders and district leadership teams with programs such as the Aspiring Superintendents Workshops and Future Superintendents Academy, New Superintendents Institute, Early Career Superintendents Institute, The Summer Institute at Harvard, Diversity and Inclusivity programs, and the annual Cabinet Leadership Summit, to name a few. She oversees the Superintendents and Cabinet Level Resource Banks and manages the LEAF, Inc. website. She also provides LEAF articles for the Councilgram newsletter. Contact Vren with your professional development questions.

Gregory S. Berck, Esq., Ass't Director for Governmental Relations / Ass't Counsel

E:  greg@nyscoss.org

T:  518.694.4874

Twitter: @Greg_Berck
#LeadersMatter

Greg devotes his efforts to the The Council's lobbying and advocacy agenda. He also assists in negotiating superintendent's employment contracts and providing legal advice to members. He works with the executive and legislative branches of state and federal government, a variety of state agencies and is well respected within the halls of the Capitol  from his tenure as education counsel for the Assembly majority. Contact Greg regarding legislative and regulatory concerns.

Jacinda Conboy, Esq., General Counsel

E:  jacinda@nyscoss.org

T: 518.449.1063

Twitter: @JazzConboy 
#WomenEdLeaders  -  #EmpowerUp

Jacinda (a/k/a “Jazz”) is primarily responsible for negotiating superintendent’s employment contracts and providing legal advice and assistance to our members. In addition, Jazz regularly designs legal seminars and provides presentations on legal educational issues to members. She also established and leads The Council's Women's Initiative. Contact Jazz if you have contract questions, are interested in Enhanced Level II Benefits, need retirement services, or have a presentation for a Women's Initiative event.

Kessa Cooper, Administrative Assistant and Programs Coordinator  

 
E: kessa@nyscoss.org

T:  518.694.4782

Kessa handles general inquiries and answers questions and direct calls from our members. She is also responsible for general database updates. 

Kessa also provides support for the Fall Leadership Summit and Winter Institute through designing and monitoring our education session portal and programming the app. Working directly with Connections Housing, our official housing company for each event, she assists members by answering general housing questions. She also supports LEAF, Inc. education programs.

Charles S. Dedrick, Ed.D., Executive Director

E: charles@nyscoss.org

T: 518.449.1063

Twitter: @csdedrick
#LeadershipMatters  -  #NewYorkProud
 
Contact Chuck regarding the overall operation of The Council, governance structure and policy questions. Chuck is also available for professional advice and counsel, regional presentations, visits to BOCES regions and opportunities for involvement with The Council.

Dena A. Gauthier, Senior Graphic Designer 


T:  518.694.4886

Dena plays a vital role interpreting and managing our brand identity throughout all Council and LEAF, Inc. printed and online communication materials.

She designs and manages the production of all publications, provides design support for The Council and LEAF, Inc. website, and manages printing and design consultants. Contact Dena with questions regarding the production of our communication materials including our Councilgram and Snapshot of the Superintendency publications. 

Deidre G. Hungerford, Associate Director for Business Development

E:  deidre@nyscoss.org

T:  (518) 694-4885

Twitter: @deehungerford28
#NYSCOSSWell - #NYSCOSSTLS

Deidre manages our Strategic Partnership Program and provides opportunities for companies, associations, organizations and foundations to connect with educational leaders. She designs and manages exhibit halls at the Fall Leadership Summit and Winter Institute and manages our Thought Leadership Summits. She also coordinates award and scholarship programs. Contact Deidre if you are interested in becoming a strategic partner.

Robert N. Lowry, Jr., Deputy Director for Advocacy, Research & Communications

E:  boblowry@nyscoss.org

T:  518.694.4879

Twitter: @robertnlowry
#LeadershipMatters  -  #NewYorkProud
 
Bob directs The Council’s advocacy activities and serves as our principal contact with the news media. Working with Council leaders, he advocates for superintendent concerns with the Governor’s Office, State Legislature, Board of Regents, and the State Education Department and other state agencies. He is the principal author of many Council policy reports and is recognized as one of the state’s leading experts in school finance. Contact Bob regarding policy decisions, school finance, and general media inquiries.

Theresa Wutzer Moore, CMP, Associate Director / Director of Marketing & Communications

E:  theresa@nyscoss.org

T:  (518) 694-4884

Twitter:  @NYSchoolSupts
#NYSuptsFall  -  #NYSuptsWI
 
Theresa plans and implements our annual Fall Leadership Summit and Winter Institute. She investigates new technologies, advances our social media presence, and manages our website. She also serves as the editor of our Councilgram newsletter. Each year she manages the New York State Superintendent of the Year award process with AASA. Contact Theresa If you want to participate in our annual events or have a question about the NYS Superintendent of the Year recognition.

Deborah N. Orsini, Associate Director for Finance and Human Resources

E:  deborah@nyscoss.org

T:  518.694.4882

Contact Deb with questions regarding budget development, financial forecasting, human resources, building management and general Council operations.

Kelley A. Pratt, Program Associate / Legal Support

E: kpratt@nyscoss.org

T: 518.694.4878

Twitter:  @KELLEYP48

Kelley manages our career center, processes database updates, answers and direct calls, and provides support for the General Counsel and legal team. Kelley also assists all staff members with a variety of administrative projects, but primarily supports the membership department on a day-to-day basis while  planning programs through The Women's Initiative. Contact Kelley if you have a general question, need to request a meeting/call with Jacinda Conboy, Esq., General Counsel, or have a question related to job postings. 

Melanie M. Seiden, Associate Director for Membership  

E: melanie@nyscoss.org

T:  518.694.4877

Melanie provides direct support to our members by answering membership questions including member online access; assisting with membership purchases, transfers and renewals. Also contact Melanie with registration questions for Council and LEAF, Inc. programs including Fall Leadership Summit and Winter Institute registration. She is also available to answer questions or concerns regarding invoices for membership and event registration.

Testimonial

"School system leaders have the unique opportunity to leverage resources for the students in their care so that they can achieve their potential and their earned place in a future where they can substantively contribute."


— Lars E. Clemensen, Superintendent, Hampton Bays UFSD & 2023-2024 President-Elect
Contact Staff

Council Committees

Committees are an important part of the work of The Council. Each committee is led by a chairperson who is appointed by the President with recommendations by the Executive Director.

Membership on committees varies depending on the by-laws. Members are welcome to join the committees (s)he is most interested in. Committee selection is done in conjunction with membership and only active members of The Council may join committees. Join a committee and:

  • Share your expertise in areas of Curriculum and Instruction.
  • Select the next scholarship winner.
  • Educate your fellow colleagues on wellness.
  • Advocate in Washington, D.C. for New York school districts.

Join a Committee

Join one or more of these Council Committees when submitting your membership for the year and be more involved in helping students, school district communities and your colleagues. Assist The Council with important tasks that help this organization work for, with, and by our members.

Athletics

Liaison to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association; provides input to legislative committees and NYSED on issues related to athletics.
Chair: Angelina Maloney, Superintendent, Brunswick CSD
Council Contact:  Charles Dedrick, Executive Director, NYSCOSS

Cabinet

The Cabinet Committee helps explore and develop professional development programs and services tailored to the needs of The Council's Cabinet members.
Chair: Lynn Allen, Assistant Superintendent, Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES
Council Contact: Vreneli Banks, Director, LEAF, Inc. 

Commission on Diversity and Inclusivity

The Commission is committed to cultivating diversity among superintendents and to support efforts by school districts to provide diverse and equitable communities.  
Chairs: Luvelle Brown, Superintendent, Ithaca & L. Oliver Robinson, Superintendent, Shenendehowa
Council Contact: Vreneli Banks, Director, LEAF, Inc.

Conference Committee

Guides the design of the Fall Leadership Summit and the Winter Institute to create a seamless experience for attendees including improving educational formats, identifying leading meeting ideas, and creating content strands and vetting presentation proposals.
Co-Chairs:  President-Elect Lars Clemensen, Hampton Bays UFSD and Vice President, Donna DeSiato, East Syracuse-Minoa
Council Contacts: Theresa Wutzer Moore, Associate Director, NYSCOSS and Melanie Seiden, Associate Director, NYSCOSS

Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship

The scholarship committee explores and recommends strategies for recruitment of outstanding candidates to encourage diversity among educational leaders. They also select candidates for the scholarship each year through a comprehensive application process.
Chair: Gladys I. Cruz, District Superintendent, Questar III BOCES
Council Contact: Deidre Hungerford, Associate Director for Business Development, NYSCOSS 

Curriculum and Instruction

Helps to formulate Council positions on curriculum, assessment and instructional issues. Primarily responsible for advising The Council on most issues addressed by the Board of Regents and disseminates information to the membership pertaining to curricular concerns.
Co-Chairs:  Lorna Lewis, Superintendent, Malverne UFSD and Kim Fontana, Superintendent, Pawling CSD
Council Contact: Robert Lowry, Deputy Director, NYSCOSS

Assessment Sub-Committee

Serves as a liaison between the Curriculum and Instruction Committee and the NYSED Office for Standards, Assessments, and Reporting. Solicits input and feedback regarding issues, questions, concerns, and recommendations pertaining to assessment.
Chair: David F. Hurst, Deputy Superintendent for Educational Programs, Bethlehem CSD
Council Contact: Robert Lowry, Deputy Director, NYSCOSS

Special Ed Sub-Committee

This sub-committee of the Curriculum & Instruction Committee helps to formulate Council positions on Special Education and serves as an advisory subcommittee to the Curriculum and Instruction Committee on matters related to serving students with disabilities in New York State.
Chair: Maureen Donahue, Superintendent, Southwestern CSD
Council Contact: Gregory Berck, Esq., Assistant Director for Governmental Relations, NYSCOSS

Federal Legislative

An advocacy committee which serves to monitor federal legislation and to provide input on key issues affecting New York State schools to members of U.S. Congress and the U.S. Department of Education. The committee also coordinates efforts with the sub-committee of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA)/Federal Relations Committee. Membership on this committee includes New York's AASA Executive Committee and Governing Board members.
Chair: Cosimo Tangorra, Superintendent, New Hartford CSD
Council Contacts: Greg Berck, Esq., Assistant Director for Governmental Relations, NYSCOSS and Robert Lowry, Deputy Director, NYSCOSS

Wellness

Promotes the well-being of superintendents through informational programs and activities.
Chair: L. Bo Wright, Superintendent, Geneva City
Council Contact: Jacinda Conboy, Esq., General Counsel, NYSCOSS


The following committees are by appointment only.

APPR Task Force

Aids in formulating Council positions on teacher and principal evaluation issues and in identifying information and training needs of members about the evaluation system.
Chair:  Open Position

Budget

Prepares budget for submission to House of Delegates. The House of Delegates at the Winter Institute meeting elects three Budget Committee members.
Chair: Council Treasurer Dr. Ken Bossert, Superintendent, Elwood UFSD
Council Contacts: Deborah Orsini, Associate Director for Finance, NYSCOSS and Charles Dedrick, Executive Director, NYSCOSS

Constitution, By-Laws and Resolutions

Reviews proposed amendments and resolutions to The Council’s Constitution and drafts amendments for consideration by active members. Constitution limits membership to seven members.
Chair: Kevin McGowan, Superintendent, Brighton CSD
Council Contacts: Charles Dedrick, Executive Director, NYSCOSS and Jacinda Conboy, Esq., General Counsel, NYSCOSS

Distinguished Service

Selects recipients of The Council’s Awards including the Raymond R. Delaney Memorial Scholarship and Distinguished Service Award, both of which are given at the Fall Leadership Summit. Friend of The Council and Appreciation Awards are presented at the Winter Institute. The committee also selects New York State's candidate for AASA's Superintendent of the Year award and is composed of past presidents and Officers of The Council.
Chair: Hank Grishman, Superintendent, Jericho
Council Contacts: Deidre Hungerford, Associate Director for Business Development, NYSCOSS and Theresa Wutzer Moore, Associate Director, NYSCOSS

Ethics

Promotes high standards of ethics among school administrators; assists members in dealing with ethical issues; investigates allegations of improper practices; recommends financial assistance for initial legal consultation. The Council’s president appoints committee members.
Chair: To Be Announced
Council Contact: Jacinda Conboy, Esq., General Counsel, NYSCOSS

Finance and Investment

Responsibilities shall be to advise The Council on investments, recommend an investment strategy, ensure the preparation of an annual audit and tax forms, and review audited financial statements.
Chair: Charles Dedrick, Executive Director
Council Contacts: Charles Dedrick, Executive Director, NYSCOSS and Deborah Orsini, Associate Director for Finance, NYSCOSS

State Legislative

The mission of the legislative committee is to advocate for the support of public education with elected officials, state and local agencies, the media, and local communities. They stress the importance of public education as an investment in the country’s future through regular communication with policy makers and help shape education policy through position papers, letters to the editor, and timely articles. The also prepare a legislative agenda.
Chairs: Joseph Famularo, Superintendent, Bellmore UFSD and Michael Cornell, Superintendent, Hamburg CSD
Council Contacts: Greg Berck, Esq., Assistant Director for Governmental Relations, NYSCOSS and Robert Lowry, Deputy Director, NYSCOSS

Nominating

Places names of active members in nomination for Council offices and communicates with the membership relate to the process. The committee, consisting of seven members, is appointed at the Winter Institute.
Chair: Angelina Maloney, Superintendent, Brunswick CSD
Council Contact: Chuck Dedrick, Executive Director, NYSCOSS

Past Presidents' Committee

The Council values the contribution that Past Presidents can make to the organization. Past Presidents have specific institutional memory that cannot be overstated. This committee is composed of Past Presidents, currently serving as active school superintendents as well as Retired Life Members (RLMs) and their goal is to provide support to the executive committee, LEAF programming and committee chairs. They meet regularly as well as participate in various Council events. 
Co-Chairs: Maureen Donahue, Superintendent, Southwestern CSD
Council Contact: Theresa Wutzer Moore, Associate Director, NYSCOSS
 

Strategic Partner Advisory Committee

The Strategic Partnership Advisory Committee is composed of individuals participating in our Partnership Program that are interested in guiding our efforts in the support area.

It is open to all representatives from companies/organizations enrolled in the Partnership Program and who are invited by NYSCOSS staff to participate on the committee. The committee meets once a year virtually or in-person to plan the Fall and Winter events and review the Partnership Program. Decisions affecting the Partnership Program will be reviewed with the Advisory Committee prior to implementing changes.

Chair:  NYSCOSS Vice President Dr. Donna J. DeSiato, Superintendent, East Syracuse Minoa CSD
Council Contact: Deidre Hungerford, Associate Director of Business Development, NYSCOSS
 

Snapshot of the Superintendency

Primarily responsible for the design, development, and writing of the Snapshot of the Superintendency. Committee members possess expertise in research design and methodology as well as professional writing for publication.  Members of the committee must attend meetings and contribute to the design, development, and writing of the document.
Chair: Past President Martha Group, Superintendent, Vernon Verona Sherrill School District (Sherrill City)
Council Contact: Dena Gauthier, Senior Graphic Designer
Council Committees

Council Leadership

Executive Committee

The Council's Executive Committee consists of a 15-member board of active superintendents of school districts, which includes five officers, six elected members and four diversity and under-represented presidential appointments. The Executive Committee, along with the Executive Director, are the administrative body of The Council. They recommend policy to the House of Delegates and Commissioner's Advisory Council. They also conduct business between meetings of the House of Delegates and Commissioner's Advisory Council. This leadership group meets five to six times a year, starting with the Summer Leadership meetings and ending with the Spring Leadership meetings. 

2023-2024 meeting dates are:
- Fall Leadership Summit: October 1, 2023 at 9:30  a.m. (Saratoga Springs)
- November EC/CAC Meetings: November 15 & 16, 2023 (Renaissance Hotel / Albany)
- Winter EC/CAC Meeting: January 18 & 19, 2024 (Courtyard Marriott Schenectady at Mohawk Harbor Hotel / Schenectady)
- Winter Institute: March 3 - 5, 2024 (Albany Capital Center / Albany)  
- Spring Leadership: May 30 & 31, 2024 (Saratoga Springs)

Next year's meeting dates are: Summer Retreat: June/July 2024 (TBD).
Note: Check this page periodically as dates and times are subject to change.

House of Delegates

The House of Delegates (HOD) is the policy-making body of The Council and consists of approximately 80 active superintendents of school districts. Membership of the House of Delegates consists of the elected officers of The Council, Council Past Presidents as ex-officio members, at least one delegate elected from each of the BOCES geographical units, plus one delegate from each of the big five cities.

The HOD meets several times per school year and holds its regular meetings starting at the Fall Leadership Summit, during the Winter Institute, and lastly at the Spring Leadership Event. Delegates are invited to attend the Summer Retreat held in the year they are serving. Delegates are also invited to participate in the Commissioner's Advisory Council meetings held during the Spring Leadership Event and the Summer Retreat.

This year's dates are:
- Fall Leadership Summit: October 1, 2023 
- Winter Institute: March 3, 2024
- Spring Leadership: April 25, 2024 

Note: Check this page periodically as dates and times are subject to change.

Advocating Beyond

Commissioner's Advisory Council

During the fall, members of the Commissioner’s Advisory Council (CAC) are selected. Membership on the CAC remains within the BOCES geographical regions. The BOCES are split into 12 regions throughout New York State, plus the Big 5 Schools. This council also includes the Executive Committee, the President of LEAF, Inc., and Council Past Presidents.

The CAC meets four times per year starting in November to meet with the Commissioner of Education and State Education Department (SED) leadership. Agendas are developed between the Executive Director of The Council and the Deputy Commissioner of Education and approved by the Commissioner. The Commissioner's Advisory Council members and the Commissioner and SED leadership meet to share ideas and discuss current education topics.

2023-2024 meeting dates are:
- November CAC Meetings: November 17, 2023 (Renaissance Hotel / Albany)
- Winter CAC Meeting: January 19, 2024 (Courtyard Marriott Schenectady at Mohawk Harbor Hotel / Schenectady)
- Spring Leadership: May 30 & 31, 2024 (Saratoga Springs)

Note: Check this page periodically as dates and times are subject to change.

AASA Governing Board

The National affiliate of The Council, the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) provides additional leadership services to all school system leaders and offers resources for superintendents, cabinet members and central office. The Council encourages AASA membership and dues for both organizations may be paid through Council membership. 

Share Your Expertise

Join a committee: Committees are an important part of the work of The Council. Each committee is led by a chairperson who is appointed by the President with recommendations by the Executive Director. Serving as a committee chair is an important job with high expectations.

Membership on committees will vary depending on the by-laws. Members are welcome to join the committees (s)he is most interested in. Committee selection is done in conjunction with membership and only active members of The Council may join committees.

Learn About Committees


Questions?

Contact:

Melanie Seiden
Associate Director of Membership
E: melanie@nyscoss.org
T: 518.694.4877

Leadership

Recognition

We like to recognize excellence in education leaders.

Leadership Awards

The New York State Superintendent of the Year program honors an exceptional superintendent from New York State. AASA's national Superintendent of the Year program pays tribute to the talent and vision of those who lead our nation's public schools.

Awards Recognizing Excellence

Distinguished Service Award

The Council recognizes a Retired Life Member who has shown exemplary commitment to public education after retiring as a superintendent. The Distinguished Service Award is The Council's highest honor and is presented annually at our Fall Leadership Summit.

Selections are made by our Distinguished Service Committee composed of current Council officers (with the word president in their title) and past presidents who are still active. 

Friend of the Council

The Friend of The Council Award was created in 1996 and is presented at our Winter Institute each year. Nominations are provided by members or Council staff and are due in January each year for inclusion in the selection process. The Distinguished Service Committee makes the final selection.

Appreciation Award

The Appreciation Award is given in recognition of an active members' efforts on behalf of The Council and its initiatives. Individuals are nominated by a colleague in the field of education, by an active member of The Council, or a Council staff member. Final selections are made by the Distinguished Service Committee and presented at our Winter Institute each year.

Final nominations are due in January for this award. 

AASA's 2023 National Superintendent of the Year

NYSCOSS announced Dr. Kevin McGowan as the 2023 New York State Superintendent of the Year at our 2022 Fall Leadership Summit in Saratoga Springs, NY on September 19th.

Congratulations to Kevin who was selected as AASA's 2023 National Superintendent of the Year at the National Conference on Education in San Antonio, TX on February 16th. NYSCOSS honored Kevin as the 2023 New York State Superintendent of the Year on March 6th at the Winter Institute in Albany, NY. 

See Kevin's acceptance remarks from the the National Conference on Education on February 16, 2023.

National Superintendent of the Year
and
NYS Superintendent of the Year

Dr. Kevin C. McGowan, Superintendent of Schools
Brighton Central School District

Scholarships

Supporting the development of educational leaders is important. We offer three different scholarships to support future leaders including:

You can learn more about each individual scholarship and how to apply by clicking on each link. Watch past award and scholarship ceremony videos below. 
Ask an expert

How do I apply for a scholarship?

Ask Deidre Hungerford, Associate Director for Business Development, how to apply or learn more about submission deadlines. 

Award and Scholarship Videos

Awards & Scholarships

2023-2024 NYSCOSS President 

“Working to create systems that ensure high levels of learning for all students, every day.” 

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 President Jason Andrews who was inducted in as president on June 25, 2023 in Canandaigua, NY. You can hear Jason's presidential remarks at our 2023 Fall Leadership Summit Opening Keynote on Sunday, October 1st in Saratoga Springs, NY.
  • Dr. Jason Andrews, Superintendent
    Windsor Central School District

Our Core Values

NYSCOSS, as the primary membership organization in New York State for superintendents:

  • believes in the power of public education to advance the ideals of a democratic society
    and ensure equal opportunity for all its citizens.
  • believes in the importance of developing and sustaining the educational leadership provided
    by each superintendent while simultaneously promoting the integrity of the office.
  • accepts responsibility to build and support effective communications and collegiality
    among its members.
  • is committed to helping ensure gender, racial and economic equity among those
    serving as superintendent.
  • promotes the importance and success of public education among policy makers
    at the local, state and federal levels.

Join The Council

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

Our Vision and Mission

We are the New York State Council of School Superintendents (The Council and NYSCOSS), a professional and advocacy organization with over a century of service to school superintendents, and more recently to assistant superintendents, in New York State. The Council provides its more than 875 members with numerous professional development opportunities, publications and personal services, while advocating for public education and the superintendency.

Vision

To be the premier educational organization in New York State influencing the development of policy and supporting the leadership of the superintendency.

Mission

The Council, as a professional organization of school superintendents, shall promote the education of all children of New York State by Leading, Educating, Advocating, and Developing capacity, of its members.

Where We Started

When was The Council first established?

NYSCOSS traces its history back more than 139 years to 1883, when a group of 17 NYS school superintendents met in Syracuse to form the first organization known as the New York State Council of School Superintendents. It formed in response to deep and far reaching changes in American life which marked the late nineteenth century. The modern period in The Council's history began in 1967 when, at their annual fall conference at Grosingers in the Catskills, the NYS Council of School Superintendents and NYS Association of School Administrators voted to merge to form the NYS Council of School District Administrators. In 1981, the organization changed its name back to the New York State Council of School Superintendents.

Who was the first executive director on staff?

  • Edward L. Osborne in1968 became the first Executive Secretary to lead the newly merged New York State Council of School Superintendents. He will be remembered for overcoming the rifts in the new organization and making the merger a true success. Here are the executive directors that followed Osborne's tenure: 
  • John Henry Bennett, Executive Director 1974
  • James O'Connell, Executive Director 1989
  • Robert Loretan, Executive Director 1996
  • Thomas L. Rogers, Executive Director 2003
  • Robert J. Reidy, Jr., Executive Director 2010
  • Charles S. Dedrick, Executive Director 2016

Who was the first female president of The Council? 

Dr. Mary Barter was an exceptional educational leader during a time when few women held the title of superintendent. In 1997, Dr. Barter was elected as the first female president of NYSCOSS and served her presidential year through June 1998. 

In 2012, The Pathways to Leadership scholarship was renamed as the Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship for Women and Minorities to honor the first female president of NYSCOSS. The scholarship was initiated to inspire and promote women and/or minorities interested in the field of educational leadership.

Video

2021 Fall Leadership Summit Presidential Remarks

September 27, 2021

2021-2022 Council President Phyllis S. Harrington
Superintendent, Oceanside UFSD