As we look toward the beginning of the school year, high expectations are tempered by the many challenges that lie ahead.

Long Islanders have long understood the real value of high-quality public schools. Year after year, they have proven up to the task of supporting their schools when the state and federal governments chose to step away from their fiscal responsibilities. But through these tough economic and politically charged times, our communities are counting on us, their locally elected school trustees, to protect the educational systems previous generations of Long Islanders built and which we now struggle to sustain.
 
Despite intensifying attempts to undermine the public's faith in New York's schools and in public education overall, Long Islanders have remained both demanding and supportive of their communities' schools. That faith and resolve has been sorely tested in recent years.

Board members of longstanding service can recall no time more dire for our schools and public education. We, however, must continue to focus on our primary mission: to do what we have always done — providing a quality education for the children our communities have entrusted to us.  

A promising future for our schools and scholars is becoming ever more dependent on school boards' ability to stay united and speak with one voice. The Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association is committed to assuring that the voice of school boards is understood to be unwavering in defense of strong public educational systems and the tenets of local school governance.

To that end, the N-SSBA's staff and executive committee stand as a resource for Long Island's schools and member boards. Please feel free to contact us at any time with questions and/or concerns you may have.

Brian Sales, President