Message from the Executive Director: Charting Our Second Century of Service

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the CASDA 2024-2025 Digital Annual Report as I begin my second year as Executive Director.

Since its incorporation by the State Education Department of the University of the State of New York in 1949, CASDA has proudly served as the oldest school study council in the United States. We continue to be an indispensable resource for our member districts, serving as a vital bridge between the University at Albany (UAlbany) and the broader school community.

Guiding Our Mission: The CASDA Executive Committee

Our success is directly attributable to the dedicated leadership of the fifteen members of the CASDA Executive Committee. This committed group, which includes area superintendents, the Dean, and professors from the UAlbany School of Education, provides invaluable guidance and support that defines our mission and direction. We extend our deepest gratitude for their time, dedication, and leadership.

In addition to our Executive Committee, CASDA welcomed Marian Chrisman to the CASDA team as the Director of Finance.  Marian has worked tirelessly to work with member districts and consultants to create a seamless financial mission.

Core Mission in Action: 2024-2025 Highlights

During the 2024-2025 school year, CASDA significantly advanced its core mission by providing targeted professional learning and direct support to educational leaders across the Capital Region and beyond.

Professional Learning for Leaders

Through the Principal’s Collaborative and the Principal’s Center Board, we equipped educational leaders with current knowledge and strategies on critical issues:

• Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Discussions explored practical program implementation, such as the RULER framework, and incorporated SEL research from UAlbany faculty. A continued focus in March leveraged insights from Project AWARE's work on school-based mental health infrastructure.

• School Safety and Climate: A January panel discussion on Threat Assessment and Response featured experts from Questar III, South Colonie CSD, and the FBI. The group also engaged in an overview and discussion of Restorative Practices.

• Workforce Development: Addressing the urgent challenge of Recruitment and Retention (February). Presenters shared unique pathways into education, and principals exchanged best practices on:

  • Recruiting for hard-to-fill positions.

  • Developing "grow your own" programs.

  • Hiring substitutes and support staff.

  • Effective new teacher onboarding.

• Current Operational Issues: The final May meeting used a "Speed Round" format to focus on: Special Education staffing, Assessment and Accountability, Professional Development and Support, Parent and Family Engagement, and the implications of potential Cell Phone Bans.

The Principal’s Center Board also successfully hosted two Aspiring Leaders Seminars, fostering the next generation of effective school administrators.

Collaborative Roundtables

CASDA excels at bringing together diverse groups of educators from across the Capital Region and outlying BOCES. Our virtual Roundtables provide a successful environment for structured, problem-solving discussions and expertise-sharing.

• Athletic Directors

• School Counselors

• Speech and Language

• MTSS

• Reinstated: Special Education Roundtable

Technical Assistance and Review Services

Direct technical assistance remains a vital component of CASDA’s work, offering deep support to districts in need:

• Coaching Services: We continued to provide skilled mentors and coaches for leaders across the Greater Capital Region.

• Program Reviews: Completed a variety of district reviews in key operational areas:

• Human Resources

• Special Education

• District Merger Studies

• New Initiative: Partnering with UAlbany faculty on Literacy Program Reviews to guide districts in critical decisions regarding their literacy programs and materials.

Supporting All Educational Community Members

We are committed to supporting all members of the educational community, which included the successful return of well-regarded programs, most notably the Office Professional Workshop, which saw a record turn-out and received outstanding feedback.

Partnership with UAlbany

CASDA continues to strengthen its essential partnership with the UAlbany School of Education (SoE). We work closely to promote the missions of both organizations, ensuring that the best in academic research and emerging practices are translated directly into support for K-12 schools. To learn more about what the SoE has been up to, click here.

Looking Forward: Indispensable Support and Celebration

As we continue in the 2025-2026 school year, CASDA remains an indispensable partner in helping districts proactively address their concerns and needs.

We also look forward to a continued commitment to celebration! Our Annual Awards Dinner continues to grow in popularity, recognizing exceptional work with our awards program and Friends of Education recognition. We hope you will join us for the 2025 event for an evening of inspiration as we honor K-12 educators, Board of Education members, community advocates, and higher education students.

I wish you a productive and successful 2025-2026, and thank you for your commitment to the children and families in your community. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or to discuss how CASDA can more directly assist your school district with its professional learning goals.