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. 

2024-25 Meeting Dates:
- Fall Leadership Summit: September 22, 2024 - Saratoga
- November 22, 2024 - Albany
- January 17, 2025 - Schenectady Mohawk Harbor
- Winter Institute: March 1, 2025 - Albany
- Spring Leadership: May 8-9, 2025 - Saratoga
- 2025 Summer Retreat: 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: September 22, 2024 - Saratoga
- Winter Institute: March 2, 2025 - Albany
- Spring Leadership: May 8-9, 2025 - Saratoga
- 2025 Summer Retreat: TBD

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.

2024-25 meeting dates are:
- November 21, 2024 - Albany
- January 16, 2025 - Schenectady Mohawk Harbor
- May 8, 2025

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-Past PresidentDr. Jason Andrews
Superintendent of Schools
Windsor CSD
1191 State Route 79 Windsor, NY 13865
7/1/2024 
CAC-Lower Hudson RegionMarc P. Baiocco
Superintendent of Schools
Clarkstown CSD
62 Old Middletown Road New City, NY 10956
7/1/20246/30/2025
CAC-Big 5 SchoolsAnthony Davis
Superintendent of Schools
Syracuse City SD
1025 Erie Boulevard West Syracuse, NY 13204 UNITED STATES
7/1/2022 
CAC-Suffolk CountyDr. Harold Dean
Superintendent of Schools
Little Flower UFSD
2460 North Wading River Road Wading River, NY 11792-0547 UNITED STATES
7/1/20246/30/2025
CAC-Nassau RegionPaul Defendini
Superintendent of Schools
Farmingdale UFSD
50 Van Cott Avenue Farmingdale, NY 11735 UNITED STATES
7/1/20246/30/2025
CAC-Past PresidentMrs. Maureen E. Donahue
Superintendent of Schools
Southwestern CSD
600 Hunt Rd Jamestown, NY 14701 UNITED STATES
7/1/2017 
CAC-Ontario RegionMs. Rebecca E. Dunckel
Superintendent of Schools
Lowville Academy & CSD
7668 N State St. Lowville, NY 13367
7/1/20246/30/2025
Committee Chair (Curriculum)Ms. Kim Fontana
Superintendent of Schools
Pawling CSD
515 Route 22 Pawling, NY 12564
7/1/20236/30/2025
CAC-Southern TierTimothy Gonzales
Superintendent of Schools
Worcester CSD
198 Main Street Worcester, NY 12197
7/1/20246/30/2025
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-Past PresidentDr. Bob 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-Western RegionMr. Daniel Ljiljanich
Superintendent of Schools
Niagara-Wheatfield CSD
Administrative Office - 5700 West Street PO Box 309 Sanborn, NY 14132
7/1/20246/30/2025
CAC-Central RegionMargo Martin
Superintendent of Schools
Groton CSD
400 Peru Road PO Box 99 Groton, NY 13073 UNITED STATES
7/1/20246/30/2025
CAC-Past PresidentDr. Kevin C. McGowan
Superintendent of Schools
Brighton CSD
2035 Monroe Avenue Rochester, NY 14618
6/30/2020 
CAC-Mohawk Valley RegionMr. Gregory Molloy
Superintendent of Schools
Morrisville-Eaton CSD
5061 Fearon Road P.O. Box 990 Morrisville, NY 13408 UNITED STATES
7/1/20246/30/2025
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-Central Western RegionDr. Carmine Peluso
Superintendent of Schools
Churchville-Chili CSD
139 Fairbanks Road Churchville, NY 14428
7/1/20246/30/2025

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