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

Meet Our Leadership

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Commissioner's Advisory Council

Each fall, membership of the Commissioner’s Advisory Council (CAC) is formed from the selection of one of the delegates within each of The Council's 12 BOCES geographical regions, plus the Big Five schools, Executive Committee members, the President of LEAF, Inc., and Council Past Presidents. This leadership group meets four times a year to share ideas an discuss topics with the Commissioner of Education and the State Education Department leadership team. Agendas are developed between the Executive Director, Deputy Director of The Council and the Deputy Commissioner of Education and approved by the Commissioner. 

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Committee PositionCommittee Member Contact InfoTerm StartTerm End
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CAC-Big 5 SchoolsAnthony Davis
Superintendent
Syracuse City SD
1025 Erie Boulevard West Syracuse, NY 13204 UNITED STATES
7/1/2022 
CAC-Past PresidentMrs. Maureen E. Donahue
Superintendent of Schools
Southwestern CSD
600 Hunt Rd Jamestown, NY 14701 UNITED STATES
7/1/2017 
Committee Chair (Curriculum)Ms. Kim Fontana
Superintendent of Schools
Pawling CSD
515 Route 22 Pawling, NY 12564
7/1/20236/30/2025
CAC-Lower Hudson RegionDr. Karen Gagliardi
Superintendent of Schools
Lakeland CSD
1086 Main Street Shrub Oak, NY 10588
7/1/20236/30/2024
CAC-Past PresidentDr. Clark J. Godshall
District Superintendent
Orleans/Niagara BOCES
4232 Shelby Basin Road Medina, NY 14103
9/25/2011 
CAC-Western RegionDr. Brian Sean Graham
Superintendent of Schools
Grand Island CSD
1100 Ransom Road Grand Island, NY 14072-1460 UNITED STATES
7/1/20236/30/2024
CAC-Past PresidentHenry Grishman
Superintendent of Schools
Jericho UFSD
99 Cedar Swamp Road Jericho, NY 11753
9/25/2011 
CAC-Past PresidentMrs. Martha K. Group
Superintendent of Schools
Vernon-Verona-Sherrill School District (Sherrill City)
5275 State Route 31 PO Box 128 Verona, NY 13478
7/1/2023 
CAC-Past PresidentDr. Phyllis S. Harrington
Superintendent of Schools
Oceanside UFSD
145 Merle Avenue Oceanside, NY 11572
7/1/2022 
CAC-Central Western RegionMr. Michael C. Hayden
Superintendent of Schools
Clyde-Savannah CSD
215 Glasgow Street Clyde, NY 14433
7/1/20236/30/2024
CAC-Suffolk CountyDr. Timothy Hearney
Superintendent of Schools
Bayport-Blue Point UFSD
189 Academy Street Bayport, NY 11705-1799
7/1/20236/30/2024
CAC-Past PresidentDr. Robert R. Ike
Superintendent of Schools
Palmyra-Macedon CSD
127 Cuyler Street Palmyra, NY 14522
6/1/2021 
CAC-Past PresidentDr. Lorna R. Lewis
Superintendent of Schools
Malverne UFSD
301 Wicks Lane Malverne, NY 11565
9/1/2020 
CAC-Mid-Hudson RegionErin Long
Superintendent of Schools
Tri-Valley CSD
34 Moore Hill Road Grahamsville, NY 12740
7/1/20236/30/2024
CAC-Past PresidentDr. Kevin C. McGowan
Superintendent of Schools
Brighton CSD
2035 Monroe Avenue Rochester, NY 14618
6/30/2020 
CAC-Capital RegionMs. Jody L. Monroe
Superintendent of Schools
Bethlehem CSD
700 Delaware Avenue Delmar, NY 12054
7/1/20236/30/2024
CAC-Ontario RegionMr. James A. Nee
Superintendent of Schools
Colton-Pierrepont CSD
4921 State Hwy 56 PO Box 5 Colton, NY 13625-0005 UNITED STATES
7/1/20236/30/2024
CAC-Big 5 SchoolsDr. Roberto Padilla
Community Superintendent
NYC Department of Education - Community District 7
501 Courtland Ave Bronx, NY 10451
7/1/2022 
CAC-Nassau RegionDr. Dominick Palma
Superintendent of Schools
Merrick UFSD
21 Babylon Road Merrick, NY 11566
7/1/20236/30/2024
CAC-Mohawk Valley RegionJoseph Michael Palmer
Superintendent of Schools
Frankfort-Schuyler CSD
605 Palmer Street Frankfort, NY 13340
7/1/20236/30/2024

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