LEAF, Inc. Board of Directors

Goals

• Professional Development - Provide professional development to school leaders and district leadership teams by offering opportunities that are responsive to changes in expectations, timely, relevant, and affordable.
• Communication - Expand the knowledge of superintendents, assistant superintendents and district leadership team members about LEAF's professional development offerings by effectively marketing opportunities to superintendents, assistant superintendents, and district leadership team members.
• Technology - Use technology to operate more effectively as an organization and provide greater professional development opportunities to superintendents, assistant superintendents, and district leadership team members.

• Governance - The LEAF Board of Directors will continually review the organizational structure of the Foundation to ensure that they are operating effectively and providing the highest quality programs and services to school leaders.
• Fiscal Wellness - The LEAF Board of Directors will develop a LEAF fiscal wellness plan to ensure fiscal health and sustainability. 

Board Members

Jason Andrews, LEAF President / Superintendent, Windsor CSD

Rebecca Dunckel, LEAF Vice President / Lowville Academy & CSD

Dale Breault, LEAF Treasurer / District Superintendent, Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES

Lynn Allen, Deputy Superintendent, Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES

Luvelle Brown, Superintendent, Ithaca City Schools

Barbara Case, Superintendent, Spencer Van-Etten CSD

Jerry Griffin, Superintendent, Potsdam CSD

Phyllis Harrington, Superintendent, Oceanside UFSD

Lisa Krueger, Superintendent, West Seneca CSD

Kevin McGowan, Superintendent, Brighton CSD

David O'Rourke, District Superintendent, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES

Laura Seinfeld, Dean, Long Island University College of Education, Information & Technology

Charles Dedrick, Ex Officio Member / Executive Director, NYSCOSS

LEAF, Inc. Subscription Service for Professional Learning

2025-2026 Future Superintendents Academy Brochure

Winter Institute & Lobby Day

The Council through our foundation LEAF, Inc. supports members by providing exceptional opportunities to expand and enrich their expertise and knowledge in the area of educational administration through statewide annual events. The Winter Institute offers keynote addresses by national experts in the fields of leadership, education, advocacy and related areas; opportunities for members to share best practices with colleagues through smaller sessions; an interactive discussion with the Commissioner of Education about New York State issues and initiatives; and networking for support and collegiality among members through social interaction, group discussions, meetings and workshops. The event also hosts an exhibit hall where companies, associations, organizations and foundations can connect with school leaders from across New York State. 

2026 Winter Institute & Lobby Day

Advancing Innovation: Empowering Transformation for Leading & Learning

March 1 - 3, 2026
Albany Capital Center
Albany, NY

Join us in Albany as we explore visionary leadership, innovative learning models, and collaborative innovation among other topics.  

Hear from Sunday Opening Keynote Luis F. Cruz from Solution Tree and his presentation Transforming School Culture.

Registration Information:
Registration is now open for attendees only. Access registration via this Winter Institute & Lobby Day website.  Attendees will receive access to the Housing portal through your registration confirmation. Connections Housing is once again our official housing company for this event.

Strategic Partners please contact Associate Director of Business Development Deidre Hungerford for registration and exhibiting details at deidre@nyscoss.org.

Experience at the 2026 Winter Institute & Lobby Day:

• Two more dynamic keynote sessions by experts in leadership, education, and advocacy including our popular Ignite presentations and a “fire side chat” with Commissioner of Education Dr. Betty Rosa and her senior leadership team.
• Member-focused professional learning at Pre-Institutes including a deep dive into Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a Superintendents Supporting Superintendents wellness retreat on Saturday. 
• Sunday morning sessions specifically designed for New Superintendents and Early Career Superintendents.
• A yoga session to de-stress before the Institute begins with certified yoga instructor Theresa Doughty on Sunday.
• A performance by the Spartan Sound Machine with students from East Syracuse Minoa School District along with smooth jazz from Albany City Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter and his local Albany jazz trio The Capital Jazz Collective.
• Breakout sessions presented by education leaders, strategic partners, legal voices and State Education and NYSCOSS staff focused around six dynamic content strands. 
• Another Hot Drinks and Cool Topics session, providing practical advice by seasoned superintendents and partners on current leadership priorities, is also a part of the education lineup.
• The 2026 New York State Superintendent of the Year presentation honoring Jennifer L. Gaffney, Superintendent, Sackets Harbor along with traditional award and scholarship ceremonies at our three keynote sessions. 
• Two book signings including one with our Opening Keynote Luis Cruz on Sunday and his book Time for a Change: Four Essential Skills for Transformational School and District Leaders. Limited supply of complimentary books available.
• A Marketplace of Ideas showcasing the best educational tools and resources with our strategic partners. 
• Connections and roundtable discussions with key staff from the New York State Education Department. 
• Sessions to guide your advocacy efforts including an Advocacy 101 session, detailed lobby day memos to focus meetings with legislators, and legislative steps you can take to advance your school priorities. 

Call for Proposals

Our Education Session Call for Proposals portal for the 2026 Winter Institute is now closed. Proposal submissions are being vetted by our Conference Committee. Partners may have submitted a proposal and must have selected select this option as part of their 2025-2026 contract. 

Save the Date for Future Events  

• 2026 Fall Leadership Summit
  September 27 - 29, 2026
  Saratoga Hilton & Saratoga Springs City Center
  Saratoga Springs, NY
  
  
• 2027 Winter Institute & Lobby Day
  March 7 - 9, 2027
  Albany Capital Center
  Albany, NY
  
  
• 2027 Fall Leadership Summit
  September 26 - 28, 2027
  Saratoga Hilton & Saratoga Springs City Center
  Saratoga Springs, NY
  
  
• 2028 Winter Institute & Lobby Day
  March 5 - 7, 2028
  Albany Capital Center
  Albany, NY

• 2028 Fall Leadership Summit
  September 24 - 26, 2028
  Saratoga Hilton & Saratoga Springs City Center
  Saratoga Springs, NY

The Council is committed to providing experiences and environments that are welcoming, inviting and user-friendly for all attendees. We recognize that some individuals may required specific accommodations to ensure their full and equal participation in our Winter Institute. Please contact us at 518.449.1063 should you need assistance. 

Blueprint Strategic Planning Service

Practical, Focused, Collaborative, Meaningful. A simplified process that will help your organization get to where you want to be.

The Blueprint for Excellence© Strategic Planning Service is a straightforward strategic planning process that includes all members of the school community and reflects their shared perspectives. Throughout the process, community feedback and data are reviewed in order to guide all aspects of work in the organization with a focus on increasing student learning and improving stakeholder engagement.

We focus on helping school leaders identify opportunities for growth and then develop practical and specific strategies to continuously improve. This is a step-by-step process facilitated with and for the superintendent. Each step in the process is developed, prepared or facilitated on behalf of the district. The Superintendent works as a partner to provide input and direction but then all materials are created for the district and provided for distribution. Instead of being a burden, this process will help the work of the district to become streamlined and focused. 2025-26 Blueprint Strategic Planning Service Brochure.

2025-26 Blueprint Strategic Planning Service Fees

A typical Blueprint Strategic Planning Service process can be completed in a month or over a longer period of time, depending on district need. All on-site (2.5 days) and off-site work (2.5 days), expenses, materials and administrative fees are a total of $17,000*. This includes the consultant being available for up to 5 hours for remote consultation/coaching with the district. An administrative fee of 10% will be billed in addition to the fees above. *Additional time may be purchased. The Blueprint for Excellence© Strategic Planning Service is BOCES aidable. 

About the Program Directors

Dr. Kevin McGowan is the Superintendent of Brighton CSD, a suburban district located in Monroe County, NY. Dr. McGowan joined the district in 2009 following his superintendency in Warsaw CSD. He has also served as an elementary principal, high school assistant principal and elementary teacher. Throughout his work in each position, Dr. McGowan has focused on high-quality systems that provide consistency, accountability and a focus on meeting the needs of all learners. Dr. McGowan was named the 2023 NYS Superintendent of the Year and the 2023 AASA National Superintendent of the Year®. Dr. McGowan is an adjunct professor at both the University of Rochester, Warner School of Education and SUNY Oswego in the Superintendent's Development Program. He is a Past-President of the New York State Council of School Superintendents. 
 
Dr. Jason Andrews is the Superintendent of the Windsor Central Schools, a position he has held since 2005 and was named the NYS Superintendent of the Year in 2019. He has served as a high school teacher, coach, co-curricular advisor and middle school principal. As superintendent, he has focused on systemic implementation of Professional Learning Communities as the vehicle to ensure student learning and a culture of continuous improvement. Dr. Andrews is an adjunct professor at both SUNY Oswego in the Superintendent's Development Program, and at the Graduate School of Education at Binghamton University. He is the President of the Leadership for Educational Achievement Foundation (LEAF, Inc.) and a Past-President of the New York State Council of School Superintendents. 

Questions? Email blueprint@nyscoss.org for more information.

Fall Leadership Summit

2025 Fall Leadership Summit 

Advancing Innovation:  Leading and Learning at the Pace of Change
September 28-30, 2025 
Saratoga Hilton & Saratoga Springs City Center
Saratoga Springs, NY

Thank you for attending our 2025 Fall Leadership Summit Advancing Innovation: Leading & Learning at the Pace of Change -- a transformative event that was designed to empower K-12 superintendents as they navigate the dynamic landscape of education.  We learned, we laughed and connected. Enjoy these recordings from our keynote sessions. Certain recordings are not available since they are proprietary information. 

Sunday Opening Keynote - September 28, 2025:
• Thank You to Title Sponsor Mosaic Associates Architects – Includes NYSCOSS In Memoriam
• Unsung Heroes: Excellence in Leadership Recognition Sponsored by Discovery Education
• NYSCOSS Presidential Welcome with Dr. Donna E. DeSiato, Superintendent, East Syracuse Minoa CSD
• NYSSBA Presidential Remarks with Sandra Ruffo
• NYSCOSS Retired Life Member Recognition
• 2025 Distinguished Service Award Ceremony – Retired Life Member Henry L. Grishman
• Thank You to Sunday Keynote Sponsor Utica National Insurance Group

Monday Morning Keynote - September 29, 2025
• NYSCOSS Past Presidents’ Recognition
• LEAF, Inc. Board of Directors and NYSCOSS Executive Committee Recognition
• 2026 New York State Teacher of the Year Recognition – Prince Johnson
• Monday Morning Keynote - NYSCOSS Ignite Sessions – Includes Thank You to Keynote Sponsor BetterLesson
- Paul Defendini, Superintendent, Farmingdale – Leading Through Crisis with Empathy and Compassion 
- James Bialasik, Superintendent, Springville-Griffith Institute – Off the Shelf:  Bringing Your Strategic Plan to Life
- Dr. Turina Parker, District Superintendent, WSWHE BOCES – The Human Element of Leadership:  Leading with Vision, Passion and Purpose
• 2026 New York State Superintendent of the Year Announcement

Tuesday Closing Keynote - September 30, 2025
• NYSCOSS Immediate Past President Recognition with Lars Clemensen, Superintendent Hampton Bays UFSD
• 2025 Raymond R. Delaney Memorial Scholarship Presentation - Jessica Hutchings, School Social Worker, Grand Island CSD
• LEAF, Inc. Recognition – 2024-2025 Future Superintendents Academy and 2024-2025 New Superintendents Institute
• Thank You to Tuesday Closing Keynote Sponsor zSpace

Our Education Session Call for Proposal portal is now closed for our 2026 Winter Institute. Proposal submissions are being vetted by our Conference Committee. Partners may have submitted a proposal and must have selected select this option as part of their 2025-2026 contract.

Save the Date for Future Events

• 2026 Winter Institute & Lobby Day
  March 1 - 3, 2026
  Albany Capital Center
  Albany, NY
  
  
• 2026 Fall Leadership Summit
  September 27 - 29, 2026
  Saratoga Hilton & Saratoga Springs City Center
  Saratoga Springs, NY
  
  
• 2027 Winter Institute & Lobby Day
  March 7 - 9, 2027
  Albany Capital Center
  Albany, NY

• 2027 Fall Leadership Summit
  September 26 - 28, 2027
  Saratoga Hilton & Saratoga Springs City Center
  Saratoga Springs, NY
  
  
• 2028 Winter Institute & Lobby Day
  March 5 - 7, 2028
  Albany Capital Center
  Albany, NY

• 2028 Fall Leadership Summit
  September 24 - 26, 2028
  Saratoga Hilton & Saratoga Springs City Center
  Saratoga Springs, NY

The Council is committed to providing experiences and environments that are welcoming, inviting and user-friendly for all attendees. We recognize that some individuals may required specific accommodations to ensure their full and equal participation in our Fall Leadership Summits. Please contact us at 518.449.1063 should you need assistance.