This bill authorizes Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to create a workers' compensation reserve fund, joining school districts and other entities that are already permitted to do so. The legislation allows these organizations to set aside money specifically for paying workers' compensation benefits and covering the costs of running their self-insurance programs. Funds in the reserve must be kept separate from other finances and can only be used for authorized claims or administrative expenses, with any excess money at the end of a fiscal year allowed to be transferred to other approved funds or applied to the next year's budget.
Clarifies the responsibility of school districts for certain temporary-resident preschool children with disabilities who are in foster care, are homeless or are in residential care.
Directs the commissioner to convene statewide and regional conventions to bring together underrepresented educators annually to discuss experiences, best practices, and afford for networking, mentorship opportunities, and support.
Exempts school district providers of special services or programs for preschool students with disabilities from having to obtain program approval from the commissioner of education.
Provides that for the purposes of educational leave, an eligible incarcerated individual shall include an incarcerated individual who is within two years of being an eligible incarcerated individual.
S 16, "Jacobe's Law," requires school staff to contact parents or guardians when bullying or harassment is confirmed involving a student. School counselors, principals, or other designated staff must first discuss with the student whether contacting parents would raise health, safety, or privacy concerns before making reasonable efforts to notify them via phone, email, or mail. The law also protects individuals who report bullying or harassment in good faith from retaliation or legal liability. This affects students involved in such incidents, their parents/guardians, and school staff responsible for handling reports.
This bill authorizes Salamanca City School District to create a reserve fund (capped at $5 million) using existing district funds if federal impact aid decreases. The fund would stabilize school tax levies and maintain educational services if federal aid is reduced, directly affecting Salamanca students and taxpayers. Voter approval via a separate ballot question is required before establishing the fund, and withdrawals would be disclosed in annual budget reports. The bill specifies that funds would be drawn from unassigned balances or other existing reserves, not new taxes.
Requires that the state fund any program which imposes a mandate upon municipal corporations or school districts; establishes criteria for any exemption from such law if such mandate is ordered by the judiciary, pursuant to an executive order or requested by the locality; establishes the New York state mandate review council.
Bill S 5103 amends the education law to require junior and senior high schools to include instruction on the prevention of co-occurring disorders within their health education programs. This new instruction will serve as a bridge between existing units on mental health and substance misuse or addiction. It aims to educate students about mental health, foster healthy decision-making, and explain pathways to substance misuse. The instruction must be designed according to pupils' needs and abilities, and the commissioner may consult relevant advisory councils during development.
Directs school districts to establish parent advisory councils on special education to advise on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities, and meet regularly with school officials to participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of the school district's special education programs.
