Board of Education

Vice President Judy Doesschate announces resignation

City School District of Albany Board of Education Vice President Judy L. Doesschate has announced her resignation, citing an anticipated change in employment that will make continued service on the school board difficult, if not impossible. She also cited a desire to provide prospective board candidates adequate notice of the vacancy in advance of November’s elections. Her resignation was effective July 5.

“It has been an honor to work with my fellow board members, our school district’s dedicated staff and the community to serve our students and families,” Doesschate said. “We have made strong progress in recent years, and I step down confident that the district is on a positive and productive course in partnership with our community to raise achievement for all students.” (MORE)

About the board

The City School District of Albany Board of Education is made up of seven non-paid citizens of Albany who are each elected to serve a four-year term. New York state law does not limit the number of terms a board member serves.

The board typically meets twice a month, on the first and third Thursdays. The first meeting is considered the monthly business meeting and the board considers matters that require action at that time. The second monthly meeting is a “roundtable discussion” of specific items. Click here to read the board's mission, vision and values statement, adopted in October 2006.

The board's responsibilities and duties are derived from the State Constitution, the laws of New York state and the rulings of the New York state commissioner of education.

The board's main responsibilities are to:

• Establish district policies;

• Develop an annual budget for public approval;

• Approve or disapprove the superintendent's recommendations on personnel matters and contracts;

• Review courses of study and textbooks; and

• Act as a communication link between residents and the superintendent.

Other duties include defining the district's philosophy, setting goals to achieve academic objectives, planning for future needs and authorizing certain contracts.

The City School District of Albany is committed to the belief that an effective school program can only be accomplished by nurturing a partnership between the schools and the community.

Decisions made by your elected school board affect the education of our children and, therefore, the well-being of this community. Your school board can best represent its constituents when members of the community take the time to observe the board in action, express their opinions, ask questions and communicate their wishes in the public setting. Your continued interest and support will guarantee the excellence of our schools.