The Capital Region BOCES Superintendents’ Legislative Committee held their annual Legislative Breakfast on Jan. 24 at the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center in Albany and announced five key policy and state budget priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session.
Each year, the CRB Superintendents’ Legislative Committee—representing the 24 BOCES component school districts—work to identify and outline an advocacy agenda. The breakfast serves as a great opportunity to launch the agenda and build momentum for addressing key issues that impact the way our students learn and grow.
Assemblymembers Christopher Tague and John McDonald, Senators Patricia Fahy, Peter Oberacker and Jacob Ashby, as well as representatives from Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Mary Beth Walsh and Senator James Tedisco’s office were in attendance to lend their support and speak about what to expect as they work to pass legislation and craft state budget proposals.
Among the top priorities outlined in the 2025 Legislative Advocacy Agenda is ensuring the state Foundation Aid formula remains predictable, as well as equitable and adequate for all school districts.
“When how schools are funded changes from year-to-year, it makes it virtually impossible for our district to plan long-term,” said Dr. Marie Wiles, Guilderland Central School District Superintendent.
Other priorities include ensuring local school districts maintain the authority to set standards for the use of personal devices in schools; the transition to zero emission buses; expanding early childhood education; and addressing workforce shortages.
Students in the CTE SkillsUSA and Culinary Arts and Hospitality programs were also present. Malachi Plaza, SkillsUSA President who attends the automotive trades technology program, described meeting lawmakers “who help control some aspect of our school life” as a “very powerful and enlightening experience.”