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Governance law benefits Special Act schools November 4, 2004 The governor has signed a NYSUT-backed law that will make Special Act school boards more publicly accountable. Special Act school district board members are now appointed by the private agency that runs the child care institution, at times creating a conflict of interest. Special Act schools serve students referred through the courts, school districts or county agencies. They are funded by the student's home district and counties with tuition rates set by the State Education Department using a complex set of variables. The new governance law requires that Special Act boards of education have two "public" members appointed by the state commissioner of education. The legislation specifies these "public" members may not be members of the board of trustees of designated child care agencies. The law takes effect Sept. 1, 2005. In the coming months, state Education Commissioner Richard Mills will set regulations to establish the appointment process. "This will be beneficial to our members at schools who feel their boards are stacked against them," said NYSUT President Tom Hobart. "For the handful of schools where our union leaders feel they have a good relationship with the board, that relationship can continue." "We'll finally have somebody from the 'real world' who will be involved in policy-making decisions for the district," said West Park Teachers Association's Margel Ebell. She was among many unionists who work at Special Act schools who came to Albany in the spring for a NYSUT lobby day. Hobart thanked Sen. Nick Spano, R-Westchester, and Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, D-Westchester, for sponsoring the legislation. Unfortunately, Gov. Pataki vetoed union-backed legislation to modify the way Special Act districts are financed. NYSUT will continue seeking ways to improve the financial picture for these districts. |
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