Cabinet-Level Programs

Questions?

• Aspiring Superintendents Workshops: The Aspiring Superintendents Workshop is a one-day program for school leaders with an interest in learning more about the superintendency. Topics include an overview of the superintendency as a career; instructional and financial leadership; superintendent/school board relations; resume, credentials, and hiring process; and the rewards and challenges of the superintendency.
  
  
• Pathways to the Superintendency Workshops: This one-day workshop provides a deeper dive into the critical topics faced by superintendents on a daily basis: board relations, financial leadership/budgeting, communications, human resources/personnel, and district culture.
  
  
• Future Superintendents Academy (FSA): A comprehensive and competitive program to prepare high level administrators aspiring to become superintendents within the next few years. This program requires a year-long commitment, as participants are required to attend a summer institute and eight weekend sessions throughout the year. FSA focuses on communications; change, systems and planning; governance; financial leadership; human resources; instructional leadership; and the search process.2023-2024 Future Superintendents Academy Brochure .
  
  
• Cabinet Institutes: Pre-conference sessions offered prior to the opening of the Fall Leadership Summit and the Winter Institute, they provide an opportunity for cabinet-level administrators to convene, share best practices and learn more about topics of interest.
  
  
• Cabinet Leadership Summit: Our annual summit designed to bring assistant and deputy superintendents, directors and principals together to promote community and share knowledge with colleagues from across New York State.

Financial Leadership Series

Questions?

• on long-range planning,
• maximizing resources using district analytics, and
• best practices for capital projects, budget development and budget communication.

New Superintendents Institute

Stepping into the superintendency is a milestone filled with opportunities and challenges. The New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS), through its professional development foundation, the Leadership for Educational Achievement Foundation, Inc. (LEAF), is proud to support your transition with a comprehensive, year-long program, the 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.

Led by Dr. Phyllis Harrington, a seasoned superintendent and former NYSCOSS President, the institute features five in-person sessions and three virtual check-ins throughout the year. These events connect new superintendents with experienced mentors, educational experts, and state leaders.



2025-26 New Superintendents Institute

August 4–5, 2025 / NYSCOSS, 15 Cornell Road, Latham
New Superintendents Orientation
$429 member / $479 non-member

REGISTER HERE

• NYSCOSS/LEAF Introduction, Resources & Support
• A Year in the Life of a Superintendent
• Ethics
• Facilities Leadership
• Leadership Coaching
• Evaluations & Working with Your BOE
• NYSED Overview & Resources / Meeting with Commissioner of Education
• Join us for a welcome reception for participants on August 4

There is a room block at the Crowne Plaza Desmond, located at 660 Albany Shaker Road, at the rate of $165 per night. Book online at https://book.passkey.com/e/51026057 by 7/13/25. Use booking code DQ8.

September 28 & 30, 2025 / Saratoga Springs
@ Fall Leadership Summit
$209 member / $259 non-member. Pre-Summit New Superintendents Institute session cost is in addition to the 2025 Fall Leadership Summit conference fee.

REGISTER HERE

• “All Means All”
• Superintendent/School Board Relationships
• School Finance Part 1
• Breakfast Meeting with Commissioner of Education

November 16–17, 2025 / NYSCOSS, 15 Cornell Road, Latham
$429 member / $479 non-member

REGISTER HERE

• Practical Uses of AI in Superintendent Leadership
• Labor Relations & Negotiations
• School Safety & Crisis Communications
• High School Athletics
• Intentionality / Strategic Planning
• The Superintendent as Instructional Leader
• Telling Your Story

There is a room block at the Crowne Plaza Desmond, located at 660 Albany Shaker Road, at the rate of $165 per night. Book online at by https://book.passkey.com/e/51053178.

January 26, 2026 / NYSCOSS, 15 Cornell Road, Latham
$239 member / $289 non-member

REGISTER HERE

• School Finance Part 2
• Budget and Communication Scenarios
• Board of Education Management

March 2, 2026 / Albany @ Winter Institute
$209 member / $259 non-member. Pre-Summit New Superintendents Institute session cost is in addition to the 2026 Winter Institute conference fee.

REGISTER HERE

• District Culture
• Building Your Legacy
• Roundtable Discussions

Coffee & Conversations – Virtual Check-ins
Informal dialogue and Q&A with peers and facilitators

Free. Registration required.

December 10, 2025 / 8 – 9 a.m. https://bit.ly/Dec10NS

March 25, 2026 / 8 – 9 a.m. https://bit.ly/March25NS

May 20, 2026 / 8 – 9 a.m. https://bit.ly/May20NS

• Five in-person sessions and three virtual check-in meetings throughout the year
  
• All new superintendents who register for the New superintendents Institute have the option to add a leadership coaching component
  to their first year. Opting in at a reduced rate of $2500 for coaching for 10 monthly meetings with a coach to discuss issues of concern and delve into leadership 
  challenges. Coaching sessions help you unleash your potential by tapping into your thinking, focusing on what is important. All sessions are confidential

Who Should Attend

• First-year Superintendents
• Interim or Acting Superintendents
• Superintendents new to New York State

NYSCOSS provides free contract negotiation services for all new superintendents and annually renegotiates superintendent contracts.
Contact Jazz Conboy, General Counsel at jacinda@nyscoss.org or
Greg Berck, Assistant Counsel at greg@nyscoss.org.

Questions?

Contact:
Vreneli G. Banks  
Associate Director
Director of LEAF, Inc.
vren@nyscoss.org
T:  518.694.4875

Early Career Superintendents Institute

Questions?

Contact:
Vreneli G. Banks
Associate Director
Director of LEAF, Inc.
E: vren@nyscoss.org
T:  518.694.4875

The Council's Women's Initiative

Questions?

The Council's Commission on Diversity & Inclusivity

Questions?

• Gathering and reviewing relevant and current research to assist in identifying factors that contribute to the lack of diversity among members of New York State Council of School Superintendents;
• Identifying specific strategies which support a pipeline for diverse groups toward the superintendency;
• Establishing collaborative efforts with other professional educational organizations to support the goal;
• Creating a sustained effort to support the success of superintendents who represent diversity in our membership.

Diversity Symposium of Thought Leaders:
Cultivating Excellence & Equity 2023

Join us in Ithaca, NY, on August 7-8, 2023 for our annual Diversity Symposium of Thought Leaders to discuss diversity and inclusion and to connect in thoughtful dialogue with school districts from across New York. The summer symposium will feature three keynote sessions with high-caliber speakers and engaging breakout sessions on topics of equity and inclusion over the two days (August 7-8). There is a welcome event on August 6 and a networking reception on August 7. 

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Monique Couvson is an award-winning author and social justice scholar with three decades of experience in areas of education, civil rights, juvenile and criminal justice. Dr. Couvson is the President and CEO of Grantmakers for Girls of Color, the nation's premier philanthropic intermediary exclusively focused on resourcing movements and organizations led by, and in support of cis and trans girls and young femmes of color.
Joe Feldman has worked in education for over 20 years as a teacher, principal, and district administrator, and is the founder and CEO of Crescendo Education Group, which since 2013 has supported K-12 schools, districts and colleges, universities nationwide to improve grading and assessment practices. He leads the Equitable Grading Project, and his book, Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms (Corwin) was published in 2018.	D
Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz is an award-winning Associate Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research focuses on racial literacy in teacher education, Black girl literacies, and Black and Latinx male high school students. Dr. Sealey-Ruiz works with K-12 and higher education school communities to increase their racial literacy knowledge and move toward more equitable school experiences for their Black and Latinx students.

Who Should Attend:

This program is designed for teams (administrators, teachers, staff, BOE members, parents and students), as well as individuals who are focused on equity in outcomes.

Cost: $359 per person

REGISTER

Registration deadline is July 5, 2023. Registration fee includes breakfasts, breaks, lunch for two days and networking receptions.

Hotel Information:

Marriott Downtown Commons
Room Rate: $189
Rooming deadline: July 6, 2023
Reservation Link: Book your group rate for Leadership for Educational Achievement Foundation

Courtyard Ithaca Airport/University
Room Rate: $ 149
Rooming deadline: July 6, 2023
Reservation Link: Book your group rate for Leadership Educational Achievement Foundation

Hotel Ithaca
Room Rate: $189
Rooming deadline: June 21, 2023
Reservation Link: https://reservations.travelclick.com/95060?groupID=3868562

Canopy by Hilton
Room Rate: $189
Rooming deadline: July 6, 2023
Reservation Link: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/ithsspy-dstl-237fd034-ed65-4d5c-b137-8bd3a2a0129d/

Questions on the program? Contact Vren Banks, Director, LEAF, Inc. at 518.694.4875 or vren@nyscoss.org.

Questions on billing? Contact ewemmer@tstboces.org.

Raymond R. Delaney Memorial Scholarship

The Raymond R. Delaney Memorial Scholarship was inaugurated during the centennial year of The Council in 1983 in honor of "100 Years of Educational Leadership." In 1990, it was renamed as the Raymond R. Delaney Annual Memorial Scholarship in memory of a past president of NYSCOSS.

2024 Raymond R. Delaney Memorial Scholarship Award

The Distinguished Service Committee selected Stephen Hancock, Assistant Superintendent of Humans Resources, in the Brewster Central School District. Stephen is pursuing his doctorate in Education Leadership at Manhattanville University. “I believe my strengths lie in being goal-oriented, a systems thinker, a reflective practitioner, and a lifelong learner,” he said.  

Brewster superintendent Michelle Gosh remarked that, “Stephen has continually impressed me with his curiosity, thoroughness, authenticity, and outright care for all that he comes in contact with.” The scholarship was presented at our Tuesday Morning Keynote on September 24, 2024 during our 2024 Fall Leadership Summit. 

Thanks to Partner Utica National Insurance Group for sponsoring this year's award. 

Pictured at the Tuesday award presentation in Saratoga Springs, NY: President Lars Clemensen, Hampton Bays UFSD; award sponsor John J. Acee, Educational Institutions Segment Specialist, Utica National Insurance Group; Dr. Ray Sanchez, Superintendent, Public Schools of the Tarrytowns and who nominated Stephen; Stephen Hancock; Dr. Michele Gosh, Superintendent, Brewster; and Executive Director Chuck Dedrick. 

2025 Scholarship Process 

The scholarship is awarded annually to one individual enrolled in a graduate study program through which a School District Administrator Certificate or Doctoral Degree may be earned. Applicants must be nominated by an active superintendent of The Council with this nomination form. Please complete the nomination form and e-mail to Deidre Hungerford at deidre@nyscoss.org by June 27, 2025. NYSCOSS will  contact each applicant directly. Candidates are responsible for sending their completed applications in by July 25, 2025.

The Distinguished Service Committee, composed of current Council presidents and past presidents who are active superintendents, screens all applications and credentials for selection of one candidate. The scholarship winner will be recognized in-person at our 2025 Fall Leadership Summit.

Special thanks to Partner Utica National Insurance Group for their sponsorship of this scholarship.

Selection Criteria:

1. Promise for continued success as a school or district administrator or leader, as evidenced by the quality of the candidate's education, references, and previous or current experience in an administrative or supervisory role.
     
2. Readiness to grow administratively in the field of education and the likelihood that the candidate may serve in the superintendency during his/her career.

3. Enrollment in a graduate study program leading to the School District Administrator Certificate or Doctor Degree.

4. Currently employed teachers are eligible under some, but not all circumstances. Teachers who work part time in administrative or leadership roles may be considered. For example, teachers who serve as department chairs, academic facilitators, summer school or program principals or directors, coordinators and/or directors of adult or continuing education. Teachers who have assumed a leadership role such as a staff developer, full-time technology support staff or coordinator, or full-time subject matter specialists who works as a department chairs may also be considered. Teachers who have no track record in a continuing administrative or leadership role will not be eligible. 

5. Financial need.

6. Superintendents are not eligible.

For details or to nominate a candidate contact:

Deidre G. Hungerford
Associate Director for Business Development

E:  deidre@nyscoss.org
T:  518.694.4885
Twitter: @deehungerford28 #NYSCOSSWell

Past Presidents' Scholarship

The scholarship of $2,000 is awarded annually and presented to those individuals enrolled in a graduate study program through which a Doctoral Degree and/or Certification as a School District Administrator. It is presented at our Winter Institute.

All applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Actively pursuing graduate level studies leading to a senior administrative credential. 
- Demonstrating leadership qualities, i.e., community and/or association involvement and other professional participation.
- While membership in The Council is not a prerequisite, it is a criterion for consideration. 
- Serving the children of New York State. 

1. Complete and submit an online application on his/her objectives/aspirations in the field of public-school central office administration by answering four short questions.
2. Present and upload a letter of interest and a current resume.
3. Demonstrate financial need in the letter of interest. 

Applications are due by Friday, January 16, 2026 to be considered for the 2026 scholarship. 

Note: Submission files can be no larger than 500 KB or the online system will reject the entire application if the file is too large. You can easily upload files through the drag and drop option. File types can include pdf, doc, docx, xls, csv, txt, rtf, html, zip, mp3, wma, mpg, flv, avi, jpg, jpeg, png, or gif.

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

E:  theresa@nyscoss.org 
T:  518.694.4884

Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship 

Mary Alice Price Scholarship

The Mary Alice Price Scholarship, formerly the Future Superintendents Academy Scholarship, was renamed to honor Mary Alice Price, the first President of the LEAF, Inc. Board of Directors for her numerous years of service to The Council and dedication to education.

As a needs-based scholarship, it's awarded annually to an individual who has been accepted in the Future Superintendents Academy and covers tuition for the program. One scholarship, in the amount of $2,850 is awarded.

The Future Superintendents Academy is a comprehensive program to prepare high level administrators aspiring to become superintendents in the next few years. The program requires a year-long commitment, beginning in July and concluding in May. Participants are required to attend a summer institute and eight weekend sessions throughout the year. The program includes critical topics relevant to the superintendency such as communications; change, systems and planning; governance; financial leadership; human resources; instructional leadership; and the search and interview process.

For more information contact:

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

E: vren@nyscoss.org
T:  518.694.4875
Twitter:  @VreneliBanks / #NYSCOSSFSA