Monroe County School Boards Association



Separation vs. Collaboration 1970 - 1973

James Green, 1970	The 15 districts represented at the meeting unanimously approved a 1970-71 budget of $10,000, and elected James Green of Spencerport and Abe Golden of Greece as officers for the upcoming year. Struggle for Existence During the early 1970s, the new association struggled to maintain its existence and establish an identity. For the first several years not all eligible boards were MCSBA members. However, as MCSBA demonstrated its value, the remaining districts joined the group one by one.
During MCSBA's early years many members felt that issues outside their own districts were not their responsibility, and that political involvement was best left to others who were less idealistic. To counteract these convictions of separatism and to introduce members to major issues, issues discussions were scheduled for all Executive Committee meetings, many of which were open to the general membership. This process gradually led to a sense of unity among member districts.
The first few years
MCSBA's first full year began with a commitment to become more effective in dealing with labor and legislative issues. In addition, members were polled to help set priorities. Poll returns indicated interest in pursuing the following issues:
	State Aid increase	County sales tax distribution
	Negotiations	Urban-suburban transfer program
	Cable television	Countywide real estate assessment
	Non-public schools	Regional demonstration school
	Effective teaching	Optimal use of school facilities.
Note the similarity of these topics to current issues of interest to education leaders. Throughout the year, the Executive Committee heard reports from the Monroe County Education Planning Committee, the Salary Study Committee, the Legislative Committee and a task force studying the county sales tax.
The Legislative Committee that year, led by Vice President Abe Golden, focused on:
	> Formalizing a share of the county sales tax for education; > Seeking commitments from NYS Legislative candidates to improve the State Aid formula; > Studying possible changes to tenure laws, a land- development fee, and integrating student transportation county-wide.
Because of abiding labor concerns, member district negotiators began meeting regularly to share information. These meetings have continued to this day.
Kenneth Pollard	At MCSBA's second annual meeting, in May 1971, Kenneth Pollard of Fairport was elected President, and Cameron Estes of BOCES 2 was elected Vice President. According to Pollard, the question: "Do we need MCSBA?" was answered, "Yes," by the end of that year. The year saw continuing contention regarding cooperative efforts and superintendent involvement in the Association that were resolved by the end of the year. Early that school year, the MCSBA office moved from its original location at 100 Allens Creek Road to the BOCES 1 campus at 41 O'Connor Road in Fairport.
Because of great interest in labor matters, a Negotiations Committee was formed that would later become the current Labor Relations Committee as its role expanded. The major discussions that year explored regional negotiations, the Taylor Law and PERB, and the impact of the state's financial crises on State Aid.
Robert Hunter	At their third annual meeting, in May 1972, MCSBA members elected Robert Hunter of Churchville-Chili as President and Loretta Bishop of BOCES 1 as Vice President. The priorities for the 1972-73 year were legislation, negotiations (including teacher salaries), and regionalism. A member survey found that a slim majority of members supported regionalism for planning and providing programs for small groups of students, and that more than 75% of respondents agreed that regionalism could eliminate duplication in transportation, special programs, calendar setting, data processing, library resources, in-service programs, and purchasing. BOCES used these results to develop many of the programs and services they now offer.
In August 1972, Jann Packard of Pittsford began her service as MCSBA Executive Secretary. During her first year, Packard published MCSBA's first Facts & Figures booklet. This publication has been produced annually since then and has become an important service provided to area businesses and realtors.		Jann Packard
Dr. Peter Stacy of Webster was elected 1973-74 President and Dr. Timothy Parsons of Hilton was elected Vice President, at the Association's fourth annual meeting held in May 1973.