What's happening
This bill requires a two-thirds board majority to approve superintendent contracts made between a school district's annual and organizational meetings.
Why it matters
Raises the threshold for board approval. By requiring a two-thirds majority (instead of a simple majority), the bill makes it more difficult for a school board to approve or change superintendent contracts during a specific period, potentially leading to more deliberate and widely supported decisions.
Targets a period of potential instability. The restriction applies specifically between the annual and organizational meetings—a time when school board membership may be in flux—helping to prevent controversial or last-minute contract changes before new board members are seated.
Aims to increase transparency and public trust. By making it harder to push through superintendent contracts during transitional periods, the bill could reduce perceptions of backroom deals or rushed decisions, potentially increasing accountability to the community.
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Who cares
School board members
The bill would require a two-thirds board majority to approve superintendent pay or benefit agreements entered into between the district’s annual meeting and its subsequent organizational meeting.
School superintendents
Their contracts, amendments, extensions and other salary, compensation or benefit agreements made during that window would face the higher approval threshold.
School district contract negotiators
They would need to account for the two-thirds approval requirement when timing superintendent compensation agreements.
Headline styles
Tighten Superintendent Contract Approvals
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Tighten Superintendent Contract Approvals
In Senate Committee · Education · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 4815 A. 6310
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
March 2, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to approval of contracts with superintendents of schools
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1711 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3-a to read as follows:
3-a. Any contract, amendment thereto, contract extension, or agreement of any kind with a superintendent for salary, compensation or benefits entered into during the period between the annual meeting of the district and the subsequent organizational meeting shall be approved by a two-thirds majority of such board.
§ 2. Section 2507 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
1-a. Any contract, amendment thereto, contract extension, or agreement of any kind with a superintendent for salary, compensation or benefits entered into during the period between the annual meeting of the district and the subsequent organizational meeting shall be approved by a two-thirds majority of such board.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08095-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.