What's happening
This bill allows individuals with exceptional business experience and a postgraduate degree to become school superintendents, bypassing some traditional educational requirements.
Why it matters
Broadens the pool of potential school superintendents. by allowing individuals with significant business leadership experience and a postgraduate degree to qualify, even if they lack traditional education credentials—potentially bringing new management perspectives to school leadership.
Weighs business experience factors. such as the size of the workforce managed and the scale of organizational revenues, aiming to ensure only high-level executives with proven track records are considered for superintendent roles.
Requires new superintendents to undergo targeted training. mandating 12 semester hours of graduate study in school administration and supervision within two years—seeking to balance business acumen with essential educational leadership skills.
May shift the focus of school district leadership. toward operational efficiency and business-style management, which could impact educational priorities, staff relations, and community expectations for how schools are run.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Business Leaders as Superintendents
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.
Allow CEOs to Lead Schools
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 4470 A. 5755
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
February 15, 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. ENGLEBRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the issuance of a superintendent's certificate to persons possessing exceptional qualifications
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 3003 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3-a to read as follows:
3-a. a. The commissioner, at the request of a board of education or board of cooperative educational services, shall provide for the issuance of a superintendent's certificate to any person possessing exceptional qualifications in specific business operations who does not meet all of the graduate course or teaching requirements of subdivision one of this section. For purposes of this subdivision "exceptional qualifications" means the candidate has earned a post graduate degree from an accredited college or university and has at least five years experience as chief executive officer of a company or organization. The size of employee work force and annual sales or operating revenues of such company shall be factors considered in the issuance of such a certificate.
b. Any superintendent receiving his or her certificate as superintendent of schools pursuant to paragraph a of this subdivision shall complete twelve semester hours of graduate study in the field of school administration and supervision within two years of receipt of his or her certificate.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03675-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the issuance of a superintendent's certificate to persons possessing exceptional qualifications
Purpose or general idea of bill
To allow school districts the ability to hire a Chief Executive Officer as a superintendent.
Summary of provisions
Section 3003 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3-a. The commissioner, at the request of the board of education of a school district shall issue a certificate as superintendent to a qualified individual. The candidate must have a post-graduate degree and five years' experience as a chief executive officer. The experience must be at a large company that has substantial annual sales or operating revenues.
Justification
The issue of cost in education has become a focal point for all segments of the educational community and school districts are at times experiencing difficulty finding qualified persons able to handle the fiscal responsibilities of the position of the superintendent. This legislation would give school districts the ability to attract the types of high-powered, private-sector candidates that are presently precluded from being considered as a superintendent.
A business leader is able to bring a different set of qualities, experience, and expertise to the educational community. Success in the business arena usually comes from an individual's ability to manage growth and control costs. This legislation would encourage the successful combination of managing growth as well as focusing on the needs of students in the educational community.
Currently, education law provides for exceptions to the current administrative credentials required of all school administrators, but does not allow for the selection of a highly qualified business leader. This bill seeks to stress a partnership between a strong, qualified business Chief Executive Officer and the talented educational administrators in a district.
Prior legislative history
2009-10 S1562 referred to education 2011-12 S4046 referred to education; A6333 referred to education 2013-14 S2035 referred to education; A2076 referred to education 2015-16 S4433 referred to education; A6266 referred to education
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.